Ethnic rebels in eastern Myanmar’s Shan state on Tuesday dismissed calls by the Royal Thai Army to withdraw from nine military camps along a disputed portion of the border with Thailand, suggesting Bangkok take the issue up with the ruling junta.
The United Wa State Army, which controls an autonomous region of Shan state, has designated the townships of Tachileik, Mongsat, Mongton, Hway Aw and Pong Par Kyin — near Thailand’s Mae Hong Son province — as part of its “171 Military Region.”
Leaders of the Wa army, or UWSA, met with officers from the Thai Royal Army in Chiang Mai, Thailand from Nov. 18-19 to discuss tensions along the border, after which Thai authorities demanded that the rebels withdraw from the nine military outposts by Dec. 19, according to Thai media reports.
On Tuesday, the UWSA responded to the demand, saying troops withdrawals must be decided as part of official bilateral talks.
“This is a matter of negotiation for the two governments,” said UWSA liaison officer Nyi Rang, referring the issue to Myanmar’s ruling junta, which seized power in a February 2021 military coup d’etat.
UWSA officials said tensions between its forces and the Thai military are highest along the border with Shan’s Mongton and Mong Hsat townships.
Beginning Monday, the Royal Thai Army has been reinforcing its troops in the area, further stoking the border spat, a resident named Aung Kyaw told RFA Burmese.
“At present, no clashes have occurred, but troops on both sides remain in a standoff,” he said. “It is hoped that conflict can be avoided to prevent any loss of life or property. The situation should be resolved peacefully.”
Aung Kyaw said that residents of the area are concerned by military preparations on both sides of the border.
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