ISTANBUL

Thailand scrambled two fighter jets along its border with Myanmar on Tuesday after detecting unidentified air activity, Thai PBS reported, citing a Royal Thai Air Force spokesperson.

The Royal Thai Air Force deployed two F-16 fighter jets from Nakhon Sawan province in northern Thailand to intercept an unidentified aircraft near the border in Kanchanaburi province, western Thailand, according to Air Chief Marshal Prapass Sonjai.

The incident occurred around 12.45 pm local time (0545GMT), after radar detected the unidentified aircraft flying near the Thai-Myanmar border, the report said.

The development comes amid escalating conflict in northern Myanmar, where ethnic armed groups have been clashing with the ruling military junta in recent months. The violence has displaced thousands and raised concerns about the conflict spilling over into Thailand.

The March 28 magnitude-7.7 quake in Myanmar killed nearly 3,800 and has left tens of thousands homeless.

Following the quake, the military junta— which seized power in a 2021 coup— declared a ceasefire on April 2. That truce was extended but expired at midnight on April 30.