Closing border crossings has failed to stop the fighting, which remains intense on the Myanmar side. Recently, 60mm caliber gunfire and machine gun bullets from unknown forces crossed into Thailand, landing on the roofs of the village headman and local residents' homes in Maha Wan subdistrict, Mae Sot district, Tak province, forcing villagers to lie flat on the ground to avoid the bullets.
At 09:30 on 5 July 2026, reporters reported that after Colonel Chanakan Saengsorn, commander of Rajanum Task Force, ordered the closure of border crossings in villages 2, 4, and 9 of Maha Wan subdistrict on 3 July, it proved ineffective. On the evening of 4 July, 60mm caliber gunfire crossed into Thai territory.
This occurred amid fighting between Myanmar Army's 22nd Division and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) near Min La Paan village, Myawaddy district, Kayin state, Myanmar, opposite Huai Maha Wong village, village 9, Maha Wan subdistrict, Mae Sot district, Tak province. The battle involved small arms, machine guns, suicide drones, and artillery fire.
As a result, a 60mm caliber shell crossed into Thailand. The shell's warhead landed on the roof of the home of Mr. Somphit Khamdam, age 60 (husband), and Ms. Sangduan Chiangkaek, age 51 (wife), in village 1, Maha Wan subdistrict, Mae Sot district, Tak province. The warhead fell on the roof and rolled along the gutter, remaining lodged there.
The shell's tail section drifted and struck the roof of Mr. Booncherd Thao Thep, age 55, in village 9, Huai Maha Wong, Maha Wan subdistrict, Mae Sot district, Tak province. The tail penetrated the roof, nearly hitting the village headman who was working at his desk.
Rajanum military personnel and Mr. Montri Suksart, headman of Maha Wan subdistrict, led local administrative officials to inspect the damage to residents' homes and safely dismantle the 60mm shell by removing its fuse.
Additionally, 7.62mm machine gun bullets were fired into the home of Mrs. Phit Kaewloon, age 58, in village 9, Huai Maha Wong, Maha Wan subdistrict, Mae Sot district, Tak province, while her husband and son were sitting inside. The gunfire came like a rainstorm, forcing the father and son to lie flat on the floor until the situation calmed. A small dog, about one month old, hid under a table.
Regarding the ongoing fighting in Myanmar, military officials who inspected the area found a casino building located on the Myanmar side at Huai Maha Wong village, village 9, Maha Wan subdistrict, Mae Sot district, Tak province, used as a base by the Karen National Liberation Army. This led Myanmar troops to target the area near the border where the KNLA is based, causing stray bullets to enter Thai territory.