RTG MFA REACTION TO SKIRMISHES ON THE THAI-BURMA

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 002137 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2017 TAGS: PREL PREF MOPS PHUM BH TH SUBJECT: RTG MFA REACTION TO SKIRMISHES ON THE THAI-BURMA BORDER REF: CHIANG MAI 000066 Classified By: Political Officer J.R. Littlejohn for reasons, 1.4 (b) a nd (d) ¶1. (C) On April 12, MFA Director of the East Asian Division II Kallayana Vipattipumiprates said the Thai were closely monitoring recent skirmishes on the border between the Karen National Union (KNU),the collective forces of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC),the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA),and soldiers allied with former KNU 7th Brigade Commander Htain Maung. On April 9, Kallayana visited the border area where the attacks allegedly took place. He told us that RTG military units along the border said the fighting had not spilled over to the Thai side of the border. ¶2. (C) The Thai, he said, have registered little concern because there are no Thai villages near the battleground, and no Thai casualties. Kallayana noted that roughly 300 refugees fled across the border as a result of these latest developments. He said the Thai were ready to accept them until the fighting simmers down. ¶3. (C) Kallayana reported that one shell landed on the Thai side of the border on April 9 and, after failing to detonate, was secured by Thai officials. Currently the Thai are trying to determine the origin of this artillery. If the evidence suggests that the shell was fired by the Burmese army, Kallayana speculated that the Thai would prepare a strongly-worded "Letter of Protest." ¶4. (U) This cable coordinated with Emb Bangkok/CG CM BOYCE