Myanmar Artillery Shell Hits Thai Temple in Mae Sot
Myanmar artillery fire crossed into Thailand on July 10, striking a Mae Sot temple during intense clashes with opposition forces across the border, forcing monks to evacuate as Thai authorities sealed the site and deployed security forces.
A critical security situation erupted on the Thai-Myanmar border at noon on July 10, 2025, when Myanmar's Light Infantry Battalion 22 and artillery units launched a sustained barrage of heavy weapons against Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) positions based in villages including Minlaypan and Phaloo in Miao District, Miao State, across the Moei River from Mae Sot.
During the continuous bombardment, one artillery round crossed the Moei River and struck Huay Mahawong Temple in Mae Sot district, landing near the abbot's residence. Monks and novices fled in panic, though fortunately the shell's fuse malfunctioned. Thai authorities sealed the temple and sent explosive ordnance disposal teams to safely recover the round.
As Thai soldiers worked on the recovery, two Myanmar military jets appeared overhead and dropped four large bombs on opposition positions, creating massive explosions and black smoke clouds less than one kilometer from the Thai-Myanmar border. The intense bombardment prompted village leaders in Mae Mao Gen and surrounding communities to announce emergency orders via loudspeaker, demanding all residents take shelter in bunkers and prohibiting travel along roads parallel to the Moei River.
All roads in the area are now saturated with Thai military and security forces, including Rangers, Border Patrol Police, and local militias, positioned with armored vehicles and heavy weapons. Authorities remain on full alert, concerned that Myanmar's military will escalate with the heaviest aerial assault yet as they attempt to seize all opposition-held territory. Security forces are conducting round-the-clock operations to protect Thai civilians amid the deteriorating situation.
