Illegal Border Trade Thrives as Myanmar Junta’s Crackdown Exposed as Sham

Locals in Karen State’s Myawaddy Township—a major border trade hub with Thailand—have dismissed the junta’s claim that it demolished dozens of illegal border trade gates and warehouses along the Moei River separating Myanmar and Thailand. They say border trade continues as usual through the illicit crossings, which are controlled by pro-junta armed groups.

The regime announced it began demolishing illegal gates and related structures at the end of October, after regaining control of the area from resistance groups.

The regime has been cracking down on smuggled goods for months in an effort to reclaim profits from ethnic armed groups and anti-regime groups that have long controlled sections of the Karen trade route.