The Royal Thai Air Force despatched 2 F-16 fighter jets to examine Thai airspace after a MiG 29 fighter jet from Myanmar was detected flying over the Prop Phra district in Tak, the northern province of Thailand.
Yesterday, the Royal Thai Airforce reported that an unidentified plane was spotted in Thai territorial air area at eleven.16am. The aircraft was later confirmed to be a MiG 29 fighter jet operated by the Burmese navy.
The jet was reported to fly about 4-5 kilometres into Thai airspace over Baan Wale Tai and Baan Wale Nue communities in the Prop Phra district of Tak, situated across the continuing battlefield within the Karen State of Myanmar. The plane flew across the Thai airspace for about 15 minutes and then proceeded to fireside 4 missiles at the anti-governmental groups.
The media reported that Tak locals dwelling locally had been “surprised and frightened,” saying the jets have been flying very close to the ground. The schools within the area instantly introduced an emergency and urged mother and father to take their children home. Some locals and college students escaped into the schools’ bunkers as a precautionary measure.
Following the continued clashes between the Burmese navy and anti-government groups within the space, Thai locals said this was the primary time that plane from Myanmar had intentionally flown into Thai territory.
The Royal Thai Air Force also reported that they’d detected one military helicopter operating close to Thailand. It was flying approximately 10 kilometres from the border however there was no incursion into Thai airspace on this occasion.
Some locals and officials noted that the Royal Thai Air Force was late in responding “to shield Thai territory.” Locals advised Thai media that the authorities were unable to do anything besides “just watch the jets fly in and in one other country.”
But First from the Royal Thai Air Force, Prapas Sornjaidee, insists that they “quickly responded to the incident.”
“The unit detected the aircraft flying over Thailand and sent up the F-16 jets from Takhli district in the northern province of Nakhon Sawan inside 5-10 minutes.
Prapas added that the Burmese plane “didn’t intend to threaten Thailand” at any stage.
“The Royal Thai Air Force had already assigned the Assistant Air Force Attache in the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon to coordinate with relevant departments in Myanmar to stop a similar scenario in the future.”
SOURCE: Matichon | Khaosod | BBC