304: Chapter 304: Presidential Order – War Machines Started

"In terms of public opinion..." he said with difficulty.

"It's already been arranged!" Apira interrupted him. "Our media will maintain a unified narrative: last night, the Myanmar Army disguised themselves as attackers. After our heroic actions to expose their conspiracy were thwarted, they became enraged and launched a flagrant cross-border attack on our border posts and civilian areas! We were forced into self-defense! As for evidence? Do we need evidence? We have the 'testimony' of our soldiers and photos of 'destroyed' border posts; that's enough! In the face of artillery fire, who cares about the details?"

He looked at the clock on the wall. "The orders have been issued. All offensive units will cross the border line simultaneously at exactly 4:00 PM. The first wave of Air Force escorts and assault groups have already taken off. There's no turning back now, Mr. Minister."

Prayut closed his eyes, opening them a few seconds later to reveal only cold determination. "Then... let us fight. For the dignity and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Thailand."

4:07 PM.

Myanmar-Thailand border, multiple sectors.

The roar of tanks drowned out the silence of the jungle. Thai Army M60A3 tanks painted in jungle camouflage and T-84 'Oplot' tanks provided by Ukraine formed into offensive formations, crushing the border's barbed wire and wooden boundary markers. Following closely behind were M113 armored personnel carriers, South Korean-made K-21 infantry fighting vehicles, and dense ranks of infantry.

In the sky, Thai Air Force F-16 OCU and JAS-39 'Gripen' fighters roared past, providing air cover and reconnaissance for the ground troops. Higher up, the silhouette of an E-2C 'Hawkeye' early warning aircraft was faintly visible—a US military asset from the 'Cobra Gold' exercise, which 'happened' to be 'conducting training missions' in nearby airspace at this moment.

The artillery began to roar. The Thai Army's M109A5 self-propelled howitzer battalions and ATMOS 2000 truck-mounted howitzers imported from Israel poured shells onto what they believed were the Myanmar Army's forward positions and suspected command posts. Thick smoke and flames rose on the Myanmar side of the border.

Several small Myanmar towns along the border line, garrisoned by only a small number of border police, fell quickly under the assault of the Thai Army's lead armored units. Thai soldiers rushed into the towns, raising the Thai flag, waving their weapons at the cameras of embedded reporters, and shouting slogans.

The footage quickly spread across the globe through media controlled by the Thai military.

The headlines were shocking: "Myanmar Acts Treacherously, Launches Flagrant Invasion! The Heroic Army of the Kingdom of Thailand Rises Up to Counterattack and Reclaim Lost Territory!"

...

Naypyidaw, Presidential Palace Press Briefing Hall.

Time: 4:45 PM.

The backdrop was the massive Federal Emblem and national flag. Zhang Cheng was dressed in dark formal wear, his expression solemn and his gaze as sharp as a blade. Before him were dozens of cameras from major global media outlets.

"...At exactly 4:00 PM today, the Royal Thai Army, under air cover, ignored the fact that their own framed conspiracy was fully exposed yesterday. Turning black into white, and using the absurd excuse of a 'Myanmar cross-border attack,' they flagrantly crossed the border line of our two countries from multiple directions, including Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son, launching a long-premeditated, large-scale armed invasion of our territory!"

His voice carried clearly through the speakers, filling the hall and reaching the entire nation and the world via live broadcast signals.

"As of now, the Thai Army has illegally intruded dozens of kilometers into our territory, shelling our border towns, causing casualties among our border guards and civilians, and several border towns have fallen into enemy hands. This is a naked act of aggression! It is a brutal violation of international law and the basic principles of the UN Charter! It is a serious violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our Federation of Myanmar!"

Zhang Cheng paused, his gaze sweeping across the Lens as if he could pierce through the screen to look directly at every viewer.

"The ironclad evidence is right before our eyes. Not only has the Thai government and military shown no remorse, they have instead doubled down, attempting to use the fires of an aggressive war to cover up the ugly exposure of their conspiracy, using the blood of our people to dye the flag of their expansionism! How shameless! How arrogant!"

His voice suddenly rose, filled with power and determination:

"I, Zhang Cheng, as the President of the Federation of Myanmar and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, hereby solemnly declare:"

"First, as of this moment, the Federation of Myanmar enters a nationwide state of war! All national resources shall prioritize serving the great war to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity!"

"Second, I order the Federal Defense Forces to strike all invading enemies resolutely, thoroughly, and relentlessly! Until all aggressors are expelled from our territory and made to pay the proper price!"

"Third, I call upon all citizens of the Federation to remain calm, stay at your posts, and support the front lines. Victory will surely belong to justice, it will belong to us!"

"Fourth, we warn the Thai aggressive authorities and those instigating them from behind: those who play with fire will surely burn themselves! The Pandora's box you have opened will surely consume you!"

The speech ended without a Q&A session. Zhang Cheng turned and quickly left the briefing hall under guard.

In front of television screens across the country, on the radio, and in mobile push notifications, the President's speech stirred up a massive wave. After a brief period of shock came a rapidly mobilized fury and will to fight. In factory workshops, government offices, and streets and alleys, slogans of "Defend the Federation" and "Expel the Aggressors" began to ring out.

...

Strategic Command Center.

The atmosphere was entirely different from the passion outside; this was the cold and quiet brain of the battlefield.

Zhang Cheng took off his coat, unbuttoned his collar, and strode to the central command console. Old K, Li Lanzhi, and the core generals of the General Staff were already in position.

On the massive strategic situation map, red arrows representing the Thai invasion were extending into the territory, occupying several forward nodes. But even more eye-catching were the blue icons representing the Federal Army, which were beginning to move and converge rapidly from the rear and flanks like an awakened giant beast.

"President, the Eastern Military Region reports that the frontline border units are conducting a fighting retreat according to plan to lure the enemy in deep. They have already led the vanguard of the Thai 1st Armored Division into the preset battlefield on the outskirts of Kengtung. The Thai 7th Mechanized Infantry Division is making slow progress in the Mae Hong Son mountains, encountering stubborn resistance from our mountain troops and preset obstacles," Old K reported, his voice devoid of any fluctuation.

"Thai Air Force activity is frequent. Their F-16 and Gripen groups are patrolling the airspace 20-50 kilometers inside our border, with a small number of ground attacks. The US E-2C Hawkeye is providing support from the Thai side," the Air Force commander added.

Zhang Cheng stared at the map, his finger tracing over several key nodes. "Orders:"

"One: The 'Titan' Heavy Armored Division (consisting of 3 armored regiments, 1 mechanized infantry regiment, a divisional artillery brigade, and an anti-aircraft battalion) is to be redeployed east immediately. They must arrive at the Kengtung-Tachileik theater assembly area within 24 hours. They are the hammer that will smash the Thai armored spearhead."

"Two: The main force of the 'Thor' Long-Range Firepower Brigade (consisting of 3 battalions of 300/370mm long-range rocket launchers and 1 tactical missile battalion) is to move east and enter deep launch positions adjacent to the border. Task: Block the Thai Army's subsequent reinforcement channels and strike their artillery positions, command posts, and logistics hubs."