298: Chapter 298 Live Broadcast of Ironclad Evidence

The second video, captured by "Swarm" drones from high altitude and multiple angles, showed the entire process of the "Nail-7" outpost being attacked last night!

From the attackers emerging from the reeds, cutting the barbed wire, scaling the cliff, blowing open the walls, breaking in for the firefight, to finally retreating along the river, every single step was captured with absolute clarity!

In particular, a close-up Lens clearly captured the Thai Army standard-issue camouflage pattern on an attacker's exposed cuff and the features of the TAR-21 assault rifle they were using.

The video even slowed down the facial features of several attackers (although painted with camouflage, the outlines were discernible) and made preliminary comparisons and annotations with certain images from the Thai Army special forces' public records.

The third video featured footage of the firefight captured by the "Nail-7" outpost's internal surveillance (partially surviving), as well as the bodies of the fallen Myanmar Army soldiers and the two remaining attacker corpses after the battle ended (deliberately showcasing their weapons and some equipment details that had not been completely destroyed).

The spokesperson stated in an icy voice: "... Based on the above irrefutable evidence, we solemnly refute the Thai side's lies that distort the truth and frame us with slander.

The truth is: The Thai side first created a border incident, causing casualties among our civilians; subsequently, they dispatched special forces to illegally cross the actual control line and launched a deliberate attack on our border outpost, resulting in significant casualties among our soldiers.

This is an act of naked aggression!"

The spokesperson paused, their gaze as sharp as a knife, seemingly piercing through the screen to look directly at the decision-makers in Thailand and the U.S.: "Here, I represent the Supreme Command of the Federation of Myanmar Defense Forces and the Federal Government, and announce the following decisions:"

"First, we demand that the Thai government and military publicly apologize for the attack within 24 hours, severely punish those directly responsible and the masterminds behind the scenes, compensate us for all losses, and guarantee that no similar incidents will occur again."

"Second, in view of the current severe situation, all troops of our Eastern Military Region are authorized to take reciprocal or even doubled counter-measures against any cross-border violations. We will not issue a second warning. Invaders will surely pay the price in blood!"

"Third, we call on the international community to face up to the Thai side's unilateral provocations and acts that undermine regional peace and stability. Any external forces that continue to aid and abet, or stir up trouble, will be regarded as committing hostile acts against our Federation and will bear all consequences arising therefrom!"

The video finished playing, and the press conference venue fell into silence, immediately drowned out by the urgent questions of reporters. And this video and statement were spreading at viral speed, rushing to the headlines of major global media and social networks.

In the meeting room of the Prime Minister's Office in Bangkok, there was a deathly silence.

Commander Apirat's face turned from red to white, then from white to green, his fists clenched, making a cracking sound. Minister Prayut's forehead exuded cold sweat. Prime Minister Srettha leaned back in his chair dejectedly, muttering: "It's over... It was all filmed... How could they have such clear..."

"It's the drones! The omnipresent drones!" Apirat growled, his voice carrying a trace of imperceptible trembling and fear.

For the first time, he intuitively felt how terrifying the one-way battlefield transparency brought by the technological gap was. His carefully planned and supposedly secret "lesson" operation was, in the eyes of the other side, nothing more than a clumsy performance broadcast from all angles!

The U.S. Embassy's call reached the Prime Minister's Office almost the next second, with an anxious tone, asking for the truth. The previous "support" statement now appeared so awkward and stupid.

Naypyidaw, Strategic Command Center.

Zhang Cheng watched the possible panic reactions from the Thai side on the screen, as well as the public opinion monitoring showing a rapid reversal of global sentiment, with no trace of a smile on his face.

"The slap has been returned, and it was loud." He said to Old K and Li Lanzhi beside him, "But this is not enough. Is there any progress from Erica?"

Li Lanzhi reported: "Erica's team has used the information provided by Lin Xiao, combined with our own intelligence, to lock onto the target 'Weasel' Warari Jamlon's permanent location in Bangkok, his vehicles, and the residences of several mistresses.

Surveillance shows that after the attack, he frequently called an encrypted number and, an hour ago, secretly met with a civilian staff member from the U.S. Military Attaché's Office in Thailand. They are trying to obtain the call content or access more direct evidence."

"Authorize Erica's team to conduct close surveillance on 'Weasel' and look for opportunities to infiltrate his communications or obtain his storage devices." Zhang Cheng ordered, "At the same time, order the Eastern Military Region to raise their alert level.

The Thai Army has lost so much face that their internal hardliners are likely to become angry from embarrassment and attempt to use even bigger moves to save face. Tell the frontline commanders that the authorization they've been waiting for, 'an eye for an eye, blood for blood,' remains effective. Next time, I want them to hit harder and make it hurt more."

His gaze once again turned to that winding border line on the map.

"Since someone wants to flip the table in Southeast Asia, then we will change the way we do things and teach them how to set it." Zhang Cheng's voice was calm but carried a biting chill, "Let's start with this river."

Bangkok's night was bright with neon lights, traffic flowed like a weave, and the air was filled with a restless scent mixed with tropical spices, exhaust fumes, and money.

Deep in Sukhumvit Road, the low-key facade of the "Siam Jade" club was hidden behind tall tropical plants, open only to a very small number of celebrities and dignitaries holding special black cards.

It was famous for its extreme privacy and luxurious services, and it was also the best hotbed for many shady deals.

At this moment, in the "Emperor's Hall" private room on the innermost side of the third floor of the club.

The heavy solid wood door was closed tight, with excellent soundproofing. The room was filled with the smoke of top-tier cigars and the aroma of expensive whiskey. Three people sat on the long sofa.

In the main seat was a Thai-Chinese man of about fifty, wearing an exquisite silk shirt, with a Buddha amulet and a famous watch on his wrist. His face was shrewd, and his eyes revealed the slickness and ruthlessness of a businessman—he was exactly the boss of "White Elephant Trading" mentioned by Lin Xiao, the arms and intelligence broker "Somchai".

To his left was a Thai Army Major General in plain clothes but sitting with a straight posture, his expression dignified. Although his shoulder badges were not worn, the aura of someone who has long been in a high position could not be concealed. He was Major General Sompong Jamlonkun, Deputy Commander of the Third Army Area of the Royal Thai Army, responsible for a vast defense area including the Moei River section of the Thai-Myanmar border.

On the right was a white man in his forties wearing a casual polo shirt, looking like an ordinary businessman, with sharp eyes and a cold light occasionally flashing, revealing his professional identity. He was a senior operations officer at the CIA Bangkok station, using the alias "Robert".

"... So, the time is set for next Thursday, the night of the waning moon." Somchai said in fluent English, refilling the two men's glasses with amber liquid, "The 'cargo' has already arrived at the warehouse in Chiang Rai province via routes through Laos. There are forty-two people in total, all good hands. Half are mercenaries from Eastern Europe and Africa, and the other half... are 'Death Soldiers' selected from 'over there' in the south, with clean backgrounds and accents that have undergone intensive training to imitate the local dialects of northeastern Shan State, enough to pass for the real thing."