A Thai patrol unit usually numbers about 10 to 15 troops. The unit was from Thailand's Naresuan Task Force. It was not clear if there were any casualties among the Burmese troops, from Light Infantry Battalion 283, based at Kawkareik in Burma's Karen state. Burmese officials were not available for comment late yesterday. The Burmese troops are deployed in the area to fight anti-government Karen insurgents who operate along the Thai border with Burma.
Skirmishes occasionally occur between Burmese and Thai troops patrolling the frontier.
Yesterday's firefight, with assault rifles and M79 grenades, happened in Mae Jan, in the Umphang district of Tak province, about 320 kilometres northwfest of Bangkok, the Thai officer said. The body of the dead soldier, Sgt Maj Suan Imlem, was brought by helicopter to Mae Sot, about 70 kilometers north of Umphang. The two injured men were being treated in Umphang hospital, the officer said. As the monsoon season draws to a close, Burmese battalions are arriving at the border to step up their fight against guerrillas of the rebel Karen National Union, which has been battling for more autonomy for five decades. Earlier this month, one Thai civilian was killed and two more injured when 90 Burmese troops raided a market inside Burma opposite Mae Jan, Tai officials in Umphang said.