Border Fighting In Burma Kills One Thai Wounding Three In Mae Sot

[webfact]

BORDER FIGHTING

Spillover of fighting in Burma kills one Thai - reports

Rocket propelled grenade fired during skirmish between Burmese troops and rebels landed on the Thai side in Tak province, reportedly killing one Thai and wounding three others.

Fighting broke out Monday between Burmese troops and rebels belonging to the Karen ethnic minority who seized key government offices in Myawaddy on the Thai-Burmese border, border sources said.

The fighting started just one day after Burma’s first general election in 20 years.

Reports claimed that the grenades landed on Rim Moei market and Mae Moei City Department Store in Mae Sot district of Tak province.

The spill-over reportedly killed a Thai and injured three others.

On Sunday a splinter faction of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) seized the police station and post office in Myawaddy, a Burmese city close to Mae Sot district. Government forces fought back Monday.

Khin Ohmar, a spokeswoman for the Burmese Partnership, an umbrella group of Burmese activists in exile, told DPA Monday by phone from Mae Sot, a Thai city across the border from Myawaddy,

Thai government officials in Mae Sot confirmed the fighting.

"We heard about 30 explosions on the other side, but we don't know who is firing on whom," Mae Sot district chief Kittisak Thomornsak said.

The DKBA is a ceasefire group allied with Myanmar's ruling military junta, but a faction under Commander Saw Lah Pwe has rebelled against the military' demand that it become a border guard under the regime's control.

Saw has reportedly said he seized positions in Myawaddy to protest the elections held Sunday. The polls have been widely criticised as a "sham," designed to cement the military's rule over the country.

"I am doing this for democracy," Saw told reporters on the border.

Last year, the junta insisted that all "ceasefire groups" were to come under the command of the military as part of the regime's election preparations.

Groups such as the DKBA were to set up political parties and turn their armies into border guard forces under the military's control.

While the main force of the DKBA has agreed, Saw's Brigade 5 with about 1,400 troops, has refused to submit to the military.

Other rebel groups that have refused to comply with the Burmese military are the Kachin Independence Army with an estimated force of 7,000, the United Wa State Army with 30,000 fighters, the Shan State Army/North with 5,000, the Karen National Liberation Army with fewer than 8,000 and the New Mon State with 1,000.

-- The Nation 2010-11-08

[webfact]

Thai border market in Tak closed

A Thai border market in Tak province is closed on Monday after spillover of fighting between Burmese troops and ethnic Karens landed on the Thai soil.

The army which oversees the area ordered the closure of Rim Moei market in Mae Sot district after the spillover injured five Thai local villagers.

Unconfirmed reports claimed that a Thai was killed from when rocket propelled grenades landed on the market Monday morning.

-- The Nation 2010-11-08

[hanuman1]

Thai soil under threat! Mobilize the PAD and let the fireworks begin!

Edited November 8, 2010 by hanuman1

[Randee]

Thai soil under threat! Mobilize the PAD and let the fireworks begin!

good idea!!

[gemini81]

Ok, so when the UN, Thailand or the US one day invade, I want all the whiners on here to sign an "agree not to whine" petition.

Those who oppose Burma's junta are really tough and brave..there aren't many left as far as freedom fighters, almost total genocide according those those videos that've been smuggled out of Burma.

[gemini81]

Thai soil under threat! Mobilize the PAD and let the fireworks begin!

send some red shirt warriors in! Earn their freedom through mercenary work, sounds fair indeed.

[random]

Ok, so when the UN, Thailand or the US one day invade, I want all the whiners on here to sign an "agree not to whine" petition.

Those who oppose Burma's junta are really tough and brave..there aren't many left as far as freedom fighters, almost total genocide according those those videos that've been smuggled out of Burma.

Thailand invade another country that has an army

[webfact]

Myanmar people flee fresh fighting at Myawaddy, crossing Moei River into Mae Sot, 3rd Army Area commander orders security beefup /MCOT

[webfact]

BURMA

Thai troops reinforced along Thai-Burma border

Thai army on Monday reinforced its troops along the border with Burma following fighting between Burmese troops and Karen ethnic minority in border town of Myawaddy.

Third Army Region Commander Lt Gen Wanthip Wongwai said that a rocket propelled grenade from the fighting had landed on Mae Sot district of Tak province.

The blast on the Thai soil injured seven people; three Thais and four Karens.

He denied rumours that neither Thai nor a Japanese reporter was killed from the spillover.

“I already ordered our troops not to retaliate the incident as they (the Burmese) do not intend to fire the explosives at us. But we would surely retaliate if they intended to fire at our side,” Wanthip said.

On Sunday, marking Burma's first general election in 20 years, a splinter faction of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) seized the police station and post office in Myawaddy.

Government forces fought back Monday.

About 300 Burmese have fled the fighting into the Thai soil, the general said, adding the army would detain them until the situation goes back to normal.

Mae Sot district chief Kittisak Tomornsak said Thailand closed its border checkpoint in the town and evacuated people from along the river in the area.

The Thai side could not update the situation with the Burmese army across the border as the the fighting is still going on, the general said.

He added that the Karens tried to capture Myawaddy town of Burma to send signals to the Burmese government that they did not accept the general election held in Burma on Sunday.

The army has ordered closing of the border market in the district.

-- The Nation 2010-11-08

[webfact]

Fighting erupts in Myanmar border town; shells fly into Thai territory, wounding seven

BANGKOK, Nov 8 -- Myanmar armed forces and Karen minority group clash at Myanmar border town of Myawaddy and shells fell into Thai territory at Mae Sot across the Moei River in the northern province of Tak, injuring seven people, causing the authorities to order a partial evacuation, according to the Third Army Area Region, Lt-Gen Wanthip Wongwai.

Gen Wanthip, interviewed by telephone, said Myanmar government soldiers were reportedly attacked by a faction which has split from the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) at Myawaddy, the border town opposite Mae Sot in Thailand.

Three rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) were launched and dropped into Tak province but two failed to explode. Only one detonated, but wounded seven people -- three Thais and four Karen, he said.

Zipporah Sein, Thailand-based general secretary of the Karen National Union (KNU), was quoted by the Agence France Presse (AFP) news agency as saying that the skirmishes broke out between up to 300 Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) soldiers and the government army.

She was quoted as saying that the fighting was currently contained in the town but added that if it spilled into surrounding areas, up to 500 DKBA troops and 900 KNU soldiers could join the battle.

Gen Wanthip said Thai Army Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha has been informed about the incident.

The Third Army Area Region Commander said he ordered the Thai troops not to return fire as it seemed that the shells were not intended to fall into Thai territory, but the Thai military is closely monitoring the situation.

Some 300 Myanmar people have fled the fighting to Thailand and are under surveillance by the Thai authorities until the fighting eases, he said, when they would return to their homeland.

The Thai commander said Thai army and border police are stationed at the border to guard the territory, and while Thai traders at the border town have shut their shops and evacuated to border police camp, he said, there are no Thais in the at the risk border area.

Gunfire was still being heard and it is believed that military operations between different groups are continuing in Myawaddy.

The fighting came one day after Myanmar's first election in 20 years. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2010-11-08

[supaprik]

The Thai army ( on the ground ) in Myanmar would not last 10 minutes, they would run and hide, just like their own PUPPET government

Edited November 8, 2010 by supaprik

[TPI]

The Thai army ( on the ground ) in Myanmar would not last 10 minutes, they would run and hide, just like their own PUPPET government

Naughty! Remember! A passport is not bullet proof, ok?:jap:

[MikeyIdea]

ooooooooo my post was removed, you may as well just lock all threads if we are not allowed to comment on them.

dam_n i wanna know what you wrote

I said it makes a change for the Thai army to not be killing Thais

Which century are you in? The Thai army hasn't been out-of-line since Sujinda's era (which was why the King reacted that time by the way). Suppose you weren't here then...

[Caliguy]

Theres reports that thousands (6000 so far) are running over the border into Thailand right now and now Karen rebels in Burma are claiming they have captured various points in Myawaddy. One report is from the other English newspaper and the 2nd one is from the nation. It's only going to get worse guys.

Edited November 8, 2010 by Caliguy

[apetley]

Was hoping to make a border hop at Mae Sot in less than a fortnight but sadly thats looking unlikely.

Shame, I had a nice source of an acceptable but very cheap Vodka in the market that was rocketed.

[webfact]

Govt spokesman: More than 5,000 Myanmar people expected to flee skirmishes into Thailand, to be given help under basic human rights /MCOT

[webfact]

Troops Sent to Thai-Burmese Border

Thai troops have beefed up security at the Thai Burmese border after gunfire was exhanged between Burmese troops and ethnic Karens this morning.

Earlier this morning at the Thai Burmese border in Tak's Mae Sot district, gunfire was exchanged between Burmese troops and ethnic Karens.

Four rocket propelled grenades landed on Thai soil near a riverside market, injuring seven Thai civilians.

More than 1,000 Burmese refugees have traveled into Mae Sot district since fighting broke out and Thais have been ordered to evacuate the area as additional Thai troops have been sent to safeguard the area.

During the weekend, Burmese migrant workers were seen crossing into Thailand after casting their ballots at Myanmar's Myawaddy polling stations.

Many migrant workers swam across the Moei River to resume their work in Thailand.

Thai troops have been patrolling the Thai Burmese Friendship bridge on a 24 hour basis to assure all operations are conducted smoothly.

Latest reports from Myawaddy province revealed that the MI 6 and the Burmese Immigration Police have escorted a detained Japanese reporter from the Tokyo based APF news agency, 49 year old Toru Yamaji, to Myawaddy authorities after he was arrested for illegally crossing into Myanmar during the general election.

Burmese authorities also confiscated his personal belongings including a pen camera, an international mobile phone, a Thai mobile phone, a passport and an APF press card.

Local and international press agencies have been flocking to Mae Sot district in order to monitor the Burmese general election.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-08

[webfact]

Fighting between government troops and ethnic rebels in eastern Myanmar prompts about 10,000 people to flee across border into Thailand: Thai official /MCOT

[hanuman1]

Troops Sent to Thai-Burmese Border

Latest reports from Myawaddy province revealed that the MI 6 and the Burmese Immigration Police have escorted a detained Japanese reporter from the Tokyo based APF news agency, 49 year old Toru Yamaji, to Myawaddy authorities after he was arrested for illegally crossing into Myanmar during the general election.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-08

MI6 - the British Secret Intelligence Service? Working with the Burmese authorities?

Is the TAN Network trying to achieve one of those special 'The Nation' moments?

[Thai at Heart]

Fighting between government troops and ethnic rebels in eastern Myanmar prompts about 10,000 people to flee across border into Thailand: Thai official /MCOT

I hope the increase from 5,000 to 10,000 in 25 minutes doesn't continue in proportion. 4 hours time and the estimates will have the whole of Burma over the border.

Govt spokesman: More than 5,000 Myanmar people expected to flee skirmishes into Thailand, to be given help under basic human rights /MCO

Lucky they didn't come by boat, or they would get some slightly less special treatment.

Edited November 8, 2010 by Thai at Heart

[rubl]

Troops Sent to Thai-Burmese Border

Latest reports from Myawaddy province revealed that the MI 6 and the Burmese Immigration Police have escorted a detained Japanese reporter from the Tokyo based APF news agency, 49 year old Toru Yamaji, to Myawaddy authorities after he was arrested for illegally crossing into Myanmar during the general election.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-08

MI6 - the British Secret Intelligence Service? Working with the Burmese authorities?

Is the TAN Network trying to achieve one of those special 'The Nation' moments?

Maybe they used a Russian MIL MI-6 helicopter to transport the 'perpetrator' ?

[webfact]

10,000 flee over border from Myanmar fighting: Thai official

BANGKOK, November 8, 2010 (AFP) - Deadly clashes between rebel troops and government soldiers in eastern Myanmar on Monday sent 10,000 people fleeing across the border to Thailand, a senior Thai official said.

Most of those crossing were women and children, said Samart Loyfah, the governor of Thailand's Tak province on the border.

"The current figure of people crossing to Thailand is 10,000," he said, adding that sporadic fighting continued to be heard in Myanmar.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-11-08

[hanuman1]

Troops Sent to Thai-Burmese Border

Latest reports from Myawaddy province revealed that the MI 6 and the Burmese Immigration Police have escorted a detained Japanese reporter from the Tokyo based APF news agency, 49 year old Toru Yamaji, to Myawaddy authorities after he was arrested for illegally crossing into Myanmar during the general election.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-08

MI6 - the British Secret Intelligence Service? Working with the Burmese authorities?

Is the TAN Network trying to achieve one of those special 'The Nation' moments?

Maybe they used a Russian MIL MI-6 helicopter to transport the 'perpetrator' ?

I should hope so, too

[asiawatcher]

Will these clashes ever cease? It has been going on for decades.

[hansnl]

The Thai army ( on the ground ) in Myanmar would not last 10 minutes, they would run and hide, just like their own PUPPET government

You might be very much surprised, in a very disturbing way.

Do remember that a big part of the Thai army are conscripts, but the professional soldiers are not bad at all.

And a conscript army can be very tough indeed.

[Miiyai46]

Govt spokesman: More than 5,000 Myanmar people expected to flee skirmishes into Thailand, to be given help under basic human rights /MCOT

Basic human rights like previously done for the Muslim Rohingya and the........

[canuck1941]

Theres reports that thousands (6000 so far) are running over the border into Thailand right now and now Karen rebels in Burma are claiming they have captured various points in Myawaddy. One report is from the other English newspaper and the 2nd one is from the nation. It's only going to get worse guys.

Maybe it has to get worse before it gets better. Look back 20 years, and especially last year, every so often the Burmans who are in control, face a rebellion, and put it out. Ruthlessly. The pity is that this is a struggle the Burmese are going to have to do all by themselves. Nobody is helping them, especially in ASEAN, a toothless paper tiger.

Down with tyrants.

[Kwasaki]

Troops Sent to Thai-Burmese Border

Latest reports from Myawaddy province revealed that the MI 6 and the Burmese Immigration Police have escorted a detained Japanese reporter from the Tokyo based APF news agency, 49 year old Toru Yamaji, to Myawaddy authorities after he was arrested for illegally crossing into Myanmar during the general election.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-08

MI6 - the British Secret Intelligence Service? Working with the Burmese authorities?

Is the TAN Network trying to achieve one of those special 'The Nation' moments?

James Bond is going in no worries he will call me if he need some help.

[cdnvic]

Post that argued with moderation removed along with those quoting it.

Another removed because the quotes were so mangled it was impossible to tell who was saying what.

[Buchholz]

Thai soil under threat! Mobilize the PAD and let the fireworks begin!

send some red shirt warriors in! Earn their freedom through mercenary work, sounds fair indeed.

They're certainly the much better armed of the colored shits, what with their RPG's, grenade launchers, AK-47's, etc.