A Myanmar fighter jet crossed into Thailand’s air space over Tak late on Thursday morning, panicking local residents and forcing two local schools to suspend classes.

Fighting intensified between Myanmar government troops and Karen soldiers in Myawaddy border town, opposite Ban Wao Lay Tai village in Tak province, on Thursday.

Around noon, a MiG-29 Myanmar air force fighter jet intruded about 4-5 kilometres into Thailand’s airspace, over areas between Ban Wao Lay Tai and Ban Wao Lay Nua villages, a border source said.

The intrusion of the jet fighter and loud explosions in Myanmar caused panic among villagers in the two Thai border villages.

Ban Wao Lay Tai School immediately stopped classes as the jet flew low over its buildings. Ban Wao Lay Nua School evacuated students into bunkers in the school compound.

The source said many Myanmar villagers continued to flee into Thai territory in Phop Phra district following junta attacks in their country.

A local resident said he saw the jet flying across Phop Phra district. When it launched air strikes along the border, loud bangs were clearly heard, he said.

The Air Force sent two F-16 fighter jets to patrol along the border in Phop Phra district.

The Myanmar air force chief apologised and said there would be no recurrence of the incident, said the source.