Thai officials report damage to about 17 buildings after Myanmar’s Oct 31 strike

Blast waves and bomb fragments from a Myanmar military air strike damaged about 17 homes and public buildings in Mae Sam Laep, Mae Hong Son, according to Thai officials who inspected the village on November 1, 2026. The October 31 attack targeted a Karen National Union (KNU) position across the Salween River from the village in Sop Moei district.

Two bombs damage homes and public facilities

Pongpipat Meebenjamart, president of the Mae Sam Laep Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, said two bombs dropped by the Myanmar military caused damage on the Thai side through flying fragments and the force of the explosions.

Officials inspecting Mae Sam Laep found shattered windows, roofs pierced by fragments, cracked buildings and collapsed ceilings. Damaged public facilities included the Mae Sam Laep subdistrict health centre, a child development centre and the local administrative organisation’s tourist service centre. Pongpipat said a mosque, a Buddhist temple and a Christian church were also affected.

Khamphan Mokthaisong, chief of Sop Moei district, assigned Thanawat Kongsiri, the deputy district chief responsible for security, to join the inspection. Other participants included Pongpipat, Mae Sam Laep subdistrict headman Suphap Nutnongkhran and Major Surin Chuntricharatphon, commander of Ranger Company 3608.

Shops along the Salween River were closed and boat services at Mae Sam Laep were temporarily suspended. Only a small number of residents remained in the community to monitor the situation.

Local leaders urge talk with Myanmar

Pongpipat called on the Thai government to negotiate with Myanmar over measures to prevent military operations near the border from harming Thai residents and damaging public facilities.

Pongpipat said increasingly frequent operations close to the frontier had left border communities living in fear. His proposals included prohibiting bombing along the border and agreeing joint safeguards so that communities on both sides could live without constant anxiety.

Families move inland as emergency refuges are prepared

Several Thai families, particularly those with children and older people, left Mae Sam Laep to spend the night with relatives farther inland, away from the Salween River, amid fears of another attack.

The Mae Sam Laep Subdistrict Administrative Organisation prepared Ban Huai Kong Kat School as an emergency refuge for Thai residents. Security authorities separately designated three reception sites for people fleeing Myanmar.

Pongpipat also proposed building bomb shelters within the community so residents could reach protection quickly during an emergency.

Suphap said village meetings had emphasised the need to remain alert and follow developments closely. Residents were advised against playing loud music so they could hear warnings or approaching aircraft.

Suphap said warnings of possible Myanmar attacks on KNU forces had been issued periodically. A warning on October 31 indicated that an attack could take place along the Salween River, but did not identify the exact location.

KNU links air strike to border supply and trade routes

A public relations official for KNU forces said the Myanmar army had sent a protest letter on August 31, 2026, through the Myanmar-Thai Border Committee in Myawaddy, Karen State, addressing Thai border officials, traders and business operators.

According to the KNU official, the letter warned Thai traders against dealing with the KNU or transporting goods through the KNU-controlled Thaw Le Hta crossing. It also warned that the crossing would be targeted by air strikes.

The KNU said the Myanmar Air Force operation was intended to cut supply routes and cross-border trade serving its Brigade 5.

Residents and military observers cited by Nation TV regarded the air strike as a serious threat to stability along the Thai-Myanmar border and to the safety of Thai civilians living close to the frontier.