MAE HONG SON, THAILAND – A bomb from a Myanmar airstrike landed on Thai territory along the Salween River, prompting villagers in Sob Moei district to flee, with no injuries reported so far.
Bomb strikes Thai side of Salween
Residents in villages along the Salween River in Sob Moei district fled on Monday after a bomb dropped by Myanmar forces landed on Thai soil.
The incident occurred at around 10.45 a.m., when the Myanmar air force attacked positions of ethnic Karen fighters near the border.
Targeted KNU positions in Kayin State
According to security agencies, the airstrikes were aimed at positions of the Karen National Union (KNU) in Kayin State, about 500 meters from the frontier.
The attacks took place opposite Ban Mae Sarm Lab in Sob Moei district, underscoring how close the operations were to the Thai side of the border.
Warplanes and reported targets
Authorities said Myanmar deployed Yak‑130 and MiG‑29 fighter jets to bomb targets in Bu Tho Township in Hpapun district, Kayin State.
Reported targets included a KNU hospital and two nearby residential areas.
Nine blasts and a crater on the riverbank
The Sob Moei district chief, Khamphan Mokthaisong, said villagers counted up to nine explosions during the series of airstrikes.
One bomb overshot its intended target and hit the Thai side of the Salween’s bank near Ban Mae Waen, where it left a large crater.
No confirmed casualties but rising fear
On the Thai side, there were no reports of injuries or property damage, according to the district chief.
There were also initially no confirmed reports of casualties or destruction from the Karen side, yet the blast still triggered panic among local residents.
Evacuation to Huai Kong Kad
Soldiers from the 36th Ranger Regiment and officials from the Mae Sarm Lab tambon administration evacuated dozens of residents from Ban Mae Sarm Lab.
They moved the evacuees to a shelter in Huai Kong Kad, about seven kilometres from the border.
Authorities on alert for further attacks
Pongpipat Meebenjamas, head of the Tambon Administrative Organisation (TAO) Mae Sarm Lab, said that rangers, police and local authorities were closely monitoring the situation.
“We are preparing to support further evacuations if renewed attacks occur near the border.”
said Pongpipat Meebenjamas, head of TAO Mae Sarm Lab.