Review of Thai-Burma Border Situation

From news agencies

March 27 is the Armed Forces Day—a commemoration that goes back to the time when the Burmese started the resistance against the Japanese occupation forces in 1945. It was previously known as the Resistance Day. March 27 is the day when soldiers are honored for their valor and also when the generals proudly announce victories over "enemies," citing number of casualties inflicted against "insurgents," the amount of arms captured, etc. When March 27 approaches, regional commanders are like sales managers trying to meet sales targets. They launch offensives to catch up on their targeted assignments.

The recent offensive against Yawd Serk and his soldiers falls under that category, and a little more. Yawd Serk has been a hot target since November last year when he publicized his army's raid on a methamphetamine production site run by Muser elements and captured some Burmese soldiers in the process.

Here's what went wrong in that offensive.

The Clashes

In early February, Burma's Triangle Region Command, deploying four (according to Burma) to seven (according to Shan State Army) regiments, launched an offensive against what Burmese generals said was "the opium-smuggling terrorist Shan United Revolutionary Army" led by Yawd Serk "in Tachilek, Kyahtina, Loi Hkam Chon, and Loi Ma Sok areas."

Around 8 and 9 February, two skirmishes took place while a "mopping up campaign" was launched against 150-strong nine SURA camps located at "point U-598642 in Kyahtina, U-673601 in Loi Hkam Chon, U-501642 in Loi Ma Sok along the Burmese-Thai border north of Mahindat in Thailand." Eight Burmese soldiers were killed and 10 were injured while two enemy soldiers died." The Burmese Army said it "captured two hill camps."

In Tachilek, Maj. Gen. Thein Sein, commander of the Triangle Region Command, met with Maj. Gen. Tawat, tactical commander of the Thai Army in Chiang Rai, to explain that the operation of was aimed only at the camps of Yawd Serk's SURA and that there was no intention to intrude into Thai territory.

Meanwhile, the Shan troops were not only putting up a stiff resistance but also attacking Army columns from the hills above, and Burma claimed, "The operation was carried out around the camps to ensure shells do not fall on Thailand." Lt. Col. Kornzuen of the Shan State Army's eastern command said, "The Burmese (military) thought we were easy pickings, and made the same mistake for the second time." (The first time Rangoon tried to wrest the area from the SSA was in December 1999, after the latter's ambush on a drug convoy)

The Incursion

The Burmese Army, making no headway, wanted to set up artillery in a Thai Rangers camp on Bang Pang Noon hill, 500 meters inside Thailand. The camp was under the command of Maj. Taninkorn of the Thai Army, located a short distance from an SURA camp. When the Thais denied the Burmese troops access, the camp was attacked on 8 February, and about 200 Burmese troops seized the Bang Pang Noon hill and took 19 Thai Rangers hostage.

Thai Army spokesman said, "We do not know what was really happening inside the Burmese army, but the intruding forces were still on Thai soil on 9 February. They had also detained our troops as hostages for fear that we would fire at the outpost."

With regard to the incident, Burma announced, "when Maj. Taninkorn vacated the camp our Defense Services had to temporarily occupy the camp for security and topographic consideration." But Thai Third Regional Army Commander Lieutenant General Wattanachai Chaimeunwong said, "Burmese troops used aggressive force to take control of the Thai base. They intend to use the Thai base as a staging area," and Gen. Surayud, Commander in chief of the Thai Army, said, "the Burmese military columns, which had captured the Thai base, had been given an ultimatum to leave by 10 February."

Mae Sai, Tachilek Bombarded

The 19 Thai soldiers held hostage escaped unharmed and on a Saturday morning, February 10, between 1am and 4am, Thailand launched heavy artillery assault on the Burmese troops who were occupying the Ban Pang Noon hilltop base, about 40 kilometers west of Mae Sai.

The Burmese side said, "While preparations were being made to leave the poorly demarcated position, the Thai side attacked fiercely with heavy weapons and the retreat was delayed due to heavy casualties among our soldiers."

The Burmese side retaliated by an artillery barrage on Mae Sai. The Army spokesman Col Somkhuan said the shelling of Mae Sai town was closely linked to the fighting at Ban Pang Noon. "They suffered a lot there, so they took revenge by firing at our border town," he said.

The Thai Army closed the Friendship Bridge connecting Tachilek and Mae Sai.

The following day, on 11 February, Third Army Commander Lieutenant General Wattanachai Chaimeunwong said at a press conference, "The Burmese have hired the Wa to attack the Shan because the Shan are trying to prevent the Wa from selling drugs to Thailand."

But Col. Kyaw Thein said the Shan soldiers, "using both light and heavy weapons, conducted a fierce attack against (Bang Pang Noon) E-7 hill camp located near the border on Tachilek-Mong Hsat road...The heavy weapons were placed on Aung Zeya Hill in Mae Sai in Thailand. A total of 47 shots were fired from the enemy's heavy weapons, killing four of our soldiers and wounding five. There was retaliation from our Army with heavy weapons fired at the enemy. At the same time, the enemy opened fire at Tachilek 10 times, using heavy weapons ammunition...These heavy weapon shells were not just from SURA but also from the Thai side."

Thailand's army spokesman Colonel Somkhuan Seangpattaranetr said Thai soldiers had responded to an artillery attack on Mae Sai from Burma side, but that they avoided populated areas. The exchange of fire abated late in the afternoon.

Thai side announced that "Three Thais died in the shelling, at least 16 others were injured, including seven soldiers" and the Burmese side said, "15 innocent civilians were killed and at least 15 were injured" in the attack on Tachilek.

The Shan State Army (SSA) on 15 February said, "We did not shell the town of Mae Sai or other Thai positions. (The Burmese) did it and are trying to blame us. "

The Accusations

At a news conference in Rangoon on 12 February, Col. Kyaw Thein of Burma's Office of Strategic Studies accused Thai troops of "backing up and giving assistance" to the Yawd Serk forces in the military operation. But Thai Army Spokesman Col Somkhuan Seangpattaranetr said, "Thai artillery fired across the border to repel intruding Burmese forces, and not to provide cover for Shan rebels."

Col. Kyaw Thein accused Lt. Gen. Watanachai, commander of the Third Army Command, of making "one-sided aggressive statements" and that "the delineation of the border at E-7 hill camp is still under dispute. The Thai forces put the SURA forces at the front and provided military and fire power assistance from the rear. However, Gen. Surayud and Lt. Gen. Watanachai had made allegations as if our Defense Services had taken excessive measures unilaterally."

Col. Kyaw Thein said, "The Thai Army ... also attacked Tachilek with heavy weapon fire. Our Army absolutely did not open heavy weapon fire at Mae Sai in retaliation...However, it is hard to fathom the attitude of some leaders of the Thai Defense Forces. The Myanmar Defense Services shall strive to solve the bilateral border issues peacefully in consideration of the friendship between the two countries and two Defense Services."

The situation in Tachilek and Mae Sai "returned to normal" and a ceasefire was announced on 12 February. The Thai Foreign Ministry summoned Burma's ambassador to Thailand, U Hla Maung, to receive a note condemning the border attack and demanding compensation for the loss of Thai lives and property.

Rangoon's Deputy Foreign Minister U Khin Maung Win also summoned the Thai Ambassador to Myanmar, Oum Maolanon, to hand him an aide memoire.

Less than a day after the re-opening, the Friendship Bridge connecting Mae Sai-Tachilek was closed again on 13 February as Thai soldiers, in response to a Burmese military build up in Tachilek, set up machine guns and heavy-caliber weapons.

"Hundreds" of Burmese troops took positions in and around Tachilek and Thailand sent its own military reinforcements on 14 February. Thai ground patrols were sent to sensitive border spots near the disputed territory. The commander of Thai Special Forces, Major-General Somboonkiat Sitthideja, said in Mae Sai, "The situation will not be stable until both sides can talk."

Tense Situation Despite 'Breakthrough'

On 15 February, Major General Chamlong Phothong, deputy commander of the Third Army Region, announced "a breakthrough" on 15 February, saying the Township Border Committee (a joint body of civilians and military from both countries that is designed to resolve border disputes at the local level) will reconvene in Tachilek to discuss the clashes. Details for the discussions were not disclosed but Chamlong said, "We're not the guilty party here. (The Burmese troops) were the ones who started the whole incident," he said.

Even while talks were being held, Mae Sai district remained tense with more troops from both sides having moved into the area. An official said the Mekong River Operation Unit, a naval unit in Chiang Rai, has been alerted to beef up its patrol in the Golden Triangle area for fear that fighting could spread.