Thailand suspends unofficial border trade for seven days amid Myanmar clashes
Thailand suspends trade through unofficial crossings in Mae Sot and Phop Phra for seven days after fighting in Myanmar injures a Thai resident.
Thailand has suspended imports and exports through unofficial border crossings in parts of Tak province for seven days, from October 30 to November 5, after fighting in Myanmar sent projectiles into Thai territory and injured a resident of Mae Sot district.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Friday (October 30) that he had instructed the Tak governor and local security agencies to take all necessary measures to protect residents along the border.
The orders followed an incident on Thursday (October 29), when ammunition from clashes between Myanmar government troops and ethnic armed groups crossed into Thailand and injured one Thai resident in Mae Sot.
Anutin said the neighbouring country's leadership had been informed of the situation and warned that Thailand could strengthen its defensive measures if no action was taken.
Unofficial border trade suspended until November 5
Maj Gen Prasan Henprasert, Commander of the Naresuan Force, issued an urgent written order to the Mae Sot Customs House suspending special permission for imports and exports through crossing points outside officially authorised routes.
The restriction applies to areas south of the First Thai–Myanmar Friendship Bridge across the Moei River in Mae Sot district and extends to parts of neighbouring Phop Phra district.
It will remain in effect from October 30 to November 5.
The order follows continued fighting between Myanmar military forces and ethnic armed groups and other resistance forces around the Myawaddy area of Myanmar's Karen State.
Projectiles from the fighting have landed in Thailand around Ban Huai Mahawong in Mahawan subdistrict, Mae Sot, threatening residents' safety and property.
The Naresuan Force said the temporary restriction was intended to strengthen border security and prevent supplies crossing into Myanmar through unofficial routes from potentially supporting any of the parties involved in the fighting.
The order concerns imports and exports through unofficial crossing points and does not amount to a blanket closure of all authorised Thai–Myanmar border crossings.
Troops increase patrols around the clock
Meanwhile, the Ratchamanu Task Force, operating under the Naresuan Force, has strengthened security patrols along the border and within vulnerable communities.
Personnel from Infantry Companies 1431 and 1413, rapid-response units and long-range reconnaissance teams have been deployed to monitor border routes and roads within villages, particularly at night.
The patrols involve motorcycles and other vehicles to improve mobility and strengthen surveillance of areas potentially affected by the fighting.
Security personnel have been instructed to monitor developments across the border, gather information and provide regular situation reports to their commanders.
The operations are focused particularly on areas opposite Ban Huai Mahawong in Mahawan subdistrict, where the spillover from fighting in Myanmar has raised concerns about residents' safety.
The Naresuan Force said military personnel would remain on duty around the clock to protect communities, maintain security and respond to any further incidents affecting Thai territory.
