Fugitive Myanmar junta major captured in Thailand after mass Karenni prison break

Thai police have arrested a middle-ranking officer of the Myanmar junta who fled into Thailand following a large prison break in Karenni (Kayah) State. While initial Thai media reports identified the detainee as Second Lieutenant Paing Soe Thu, the Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) has clarified that the officer actually holds the rank of major and was being held as a high-profile prisoner of war (POW).

“Based on our initial findings, we understand that one of the escaped POWs holds the rank of major,” Banya Khun Aung said.

Approximately 80 inmates escaped from Prison No. 2 in Mese, Karenni State, at around 1:00 am on 18 January, taking nine small arms with them during the breakout.

On 18 January, the police station in Pratu, Mae Hong Son Province, apprehended a junta military member who had fled into Thai territory.

A local source noted that although Mese shares a border with Thailand, reaching the Thai side on foot within a single day is extremely difficult.