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AFP-Thai army exchanges fire with M



Reply-To: "TIN KYI" <tinkyi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: AFP-Thai army exchanges fire with Myanmar border troops

Thai army exchanges fire with Myanmar border troops
CHIANG MAI, Thailand, Oct 15 (AFP) - The Thai army exchanged artillery fire
with Myanmar forces who crossed into northern Mae Hong Son province, Thai
military officials said Friday.
The incursion Thursday evening came hours after an incident reported by aid
workers who said a clash occurred between Thai soldiers and Yangon troops
who crossed the border about 10 kilometers further south.

Thai third army region chief of staff Major General Chamlong Phothong said
an unknown number of Myanmar soldiers crossed near Ban Huay Phung village in
Muang district.

"There was a brief exchange of artillery at Ban Huay Phung," he told AFP.
"Myanmar troops crossed the border and we fired 10 warning rounds and they
fired back two artillery shots later."

He said there were no casualties on the Thai side.

A Myanmar junta spokesman denied both incidents in a statement to AFP.

"No such incidents occurred anywhere on the Thai-Myanmar border, (it is)
probably a fabrication designed to coincide with Mr de Soto's visit to
Myanmar," he said.

United Nations special envoy Alvaro de Soto arrived in Myanmar Thursday on a
five-day mission expected to focus on political reform.

Etnic minority leaders and Thai intelligence officials on the border earlier
reported a buildup of Myanmar troops opposite Mae Hong Son and speculated
they may be preparing to attack refugee camps here.

They said move could be designed as retaliation for the 25-hour seizure
earlier this month of Yangon's Bangkok embassy by pro-democracy gunmen.

Yangon closed the border after Thailand bowed to the gunmen's demands for an
escape helicopter to the border.

Chamlong said Friday he could not confirm the earlier incursion at Ban Mai
Sa Pae reported by aid workers.

"They are in the same area, so there could be some confusion."

Aid workers said an unknown number of Myanmar soldiers crossed one kilometer
(mile) into Thai territory apparently to rob Thai villagers of food
supplies.

They said a brief gun battle took place as Thai border troops drove them
back, but no casualties have been reported.