Incident Summary:

05/01/2001: The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) attacked the Molithai village in Phop Phra District, Tak province, Thailand near. The grenade attack left two Thai soldiers and five rebels injured. Two rebels and three civilians were killed in the attack as well. The civilians included a girl, a young woman, and an old man. It was believed the rebels attacked in response to a Thai Army offensive against drug trafficking near the border with Myanmar.

GTD ID:
200105010001

When:
2001-05-01

Country:
Thailand

Region:
Southeast Asia

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Tak

City:
Molithai

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Armed Assault
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Military
Name of Entity Thai Military
Specific Description Thai Military border base in Molithai, Thailand
Nationality of Target Thailand
Target Type: Private Citizens & Property
Name of Entity Civilians
Specific Description Thai Civilians in Molithai, Thailand
Nationality of Target Thailand
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Yes
Extent of Property Damage Minor (likely < $1 million)
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Projectile (rockets, mortars, RPGs, etc.)
Firearms Unknown Gun Type
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?No
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) Yes
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) No
Additional Information One report stated that there were 50 attackers. Another report on the same incident noted that 30 rebels attacked the village and army base. The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) was the militant wing of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Organization (DKBO)
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) (suspected) No
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 3 Fatalities / 2 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 3
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 2
Total Number of Injured 2
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 5
Sources
“Rangoon-backed armed group raids Thai border village, three villagers killed,” The Nation, May 2, 2001.
“AFP: Thai Official Says 3 Villagers Killed As Burma Militia Attacks Border Post,” Agence France Presse, May 1, 2001.