PUBLISHED : 24 Nov 2025 at 07:06
The Third Army Region has reaffirmed its readiness to escalate defensive measures along the border with Myanmar amid intensifying clashes between junta and rebel forces near a scam-centre zone in Karen state.
The violence, which erupted on Saturday just one kilometre away from Thai territory, has heightened concerns in Mae Sot district of Tak province.
The clash between the Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade 6 and Myanmar’s 22nd Military Operations Command occurred around Min La Pan village in Myawaddy township, opposite Ban Mae Kon Ken in Mae Sot.
During the fighting, Myanmar forces launched a major offensive against resistance groups. A 60mm mortar shell landed in Mae Kon Ken, damaging four houses and a pickup truck. No injuries were reported, but the incident shook residents.
In response, Thai security forces fired a 120mm smoke round as a warning and raised their alert level. A total of 125 Myanmar nationals have since taken refuge in safe zones along the border, where Thai officials are providing humanitarian assistance.
Lt Gen Worathep Boonya, Commander of the 3rd Army Region, and Maj Gen Maitree Chupricha of the Naresuan Task Force on Sunday inspected Mae Kon Ken and observed structural damage caused by mortar blasts and shockwaves.
Lt Gen Worathep expressed concern, noting this was the second stray-fire incident in recent days.
As of Sunday, the KNU had seized Min La Pan village, previously home to a transnational scam network.