Thailand announced on Friday that Myanmar has apologized after one of its fighter jets entered into Thai airspace while bombing along the border, forcing authorities to evacuate hundreds of youngsters and scramble air force jets to the area.
Thailand, according to Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, does not want to escalate the issue, which occurred on Thursday over Phop Phra district in Thailand’s Tak region.
Local officials evacuated nearby villages and schools. Over 200 junior and middle school children at Wale School were taken from their classrooms to fortified facilities on the school grounds for protection.
The Associated Press received video of what seems to be a MiG-29 flying around in Thai airspace over villages and schools before shooting on the Myanmar side.
Thailand announced on Friday that Myanmar has apologized after one of its fighter jets entered into Thai airspace while bombing along the border, forcing authorities to evacuate hundreds of youngsters and scramble air force jets to the area.
Thailand, according to Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, does not want to escalate the issue, which occurred on Thursday over Phop Phra district in Thailand’s Tak region.
Local officials evacuated nearby villages and schools. Over 200 junior and middle school children at Wale School were taken from their classrooms to fortified facilities on the school grounds for protection.
The Associated Press received video of what seems to be a MiG-29 flying around in Thai airspace over villages and schools before shooting on the Myanmar side.
On its side of the border with Thailand, Myanmar’s military has been fighting ethnic Karen guerillas.
“The military attaches have apologized to each other, and our foreign ministries have communicated.” This may appear to be a major occurrence, but it is up to us if we want to escalate it. “Right now, the two sides have a good relationship and can discuss,” Prayuth told reporters.
“The most important thing is that we do have the power to defend our sovereignty,” he continued. We must also plan for the future strength and sophistication of our defense. This is not a serious problem.”
Thailand’s air force despatched two F-16 fighter jets built in the United States to the area where the MiG-29 was flying.