Thread: Thai air force scrambles fighters after alleged incursion by Myanmar aircraft

The Royal Thai Air Force sent two F-16 jet fighters after an aircraft, believed to be a MiG 29 of the Myanmar air force, was found to have intruded into Thai airspace in the western province of Tak, according to RTAF Spokesman Air Vice Marshal Prapas Sornchaidee.


He said that the RTAF also instructed its attaché, based at the Thai embassy in Myanmar, to warn their Myanmar counterpart about the alleged intrusion and not to repeat the incident.


The MiG 29 was sighted about noon today (Thursday), flying above the Ban Valley Tai and Ban Valley Nua in Phop Phra district, as it engaged in an air strike against anti-government rebel positions near the Thai border with Myanmar.


The presence of the aircraft, which was noticed by many people in the two villages, caused panic as they scrambled to take cover. A school in Ban Valley Nua immediately suspended classes and ordered all students to run to the bomb shelter in the school’s compound.


There was, however, no report of cross-border shelling.


Myanmar government forces have been trying to suppress Karen rebel forces based near Thailand’s western border for decades, but without success. Fighting often escalates during the dry season, when government forces launch offensives, occasionally driving hundreds of Karen civilians to seek refuge over the Thai border.

Thai air force scrambles fighters after alleged incursion by Myanmar aircraft | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world

PM says incursion of Myanmar jet into Thai airspace not a big deal

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said today (Friday) that the incursion into Thai airspace of a Myanmar MiG-29 jet, which flew over Tak province yesterday, is not a big deal, noting that the Myanmar military has already offered an apology and that the two countries enjoy good relations.


After the incident, he said that the Thai military had talked with their Myanmar counterparts about the incursion and he, too, had discussed the issue, adding that the Myanmar military explained that they their pilot had no intention to infringe upon Thai airspace, but needed to make a turn, resulting in the plane to crossing into Thai territory.


The Royal Thai Air Force had scrambled two F-16 jet fighters, but the Myanmar MiG-29 was already back in Myanmar.


Prayut assured the public that the Thai military has the capability to defend the Thai territorial sovereignty.


The MiG-29 jet appeared to be providing support to Myanmar ground troops battling the Karen rebel forces entrenched in their base near the Thai border in Phop Phra district.


The presence of the aircraft caused a panic among Thais in two villages. A school suspended classes and ordered all students to take cover in a bomb shelter in the school’s compound.


Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the National Security Council, Gen Supot Malaniyom, said that incursions by Myanmar forces have happened 4-5 times this year.


He insisted that the fighting between the Myanmar government forces and the rebels was an internal problem, but it has impacts on the Thai side of the border.


He said Thai troops at the border there have, therefore, been ordered to tighten up measures to prevent the fighting from spilling over, adding that the Thai military and the Foreign Ministry have coordinated with their Myanmar counterparts to prevent a repeat of such an incursion in the future.


More than 500 Karen civilians are now taking refuge in temples or close to the border in two border villages.


PM says incursion of Myanmar jet into Thai airspace not a big deal | Thai PBS World : The latest Thai news in English, News Headlines, World News and News Broadcasts in both Thai and English. We bring Thailand to the world