Thousands of Myanmar scam workers flee Karen state compound after KNU raid

Mizzima Special Correspondent Han Htoo Zaw

Nearly 1,000 Myanmar workers from an online scam compound in Min Lat Pan village, south of Myawaddy town on the Thai-Myanmar border in Karen State, returned home on 27 November around 1:00 pm, according to local residents.

The return of this large number of Myanmar workers is occurring on the fifth day after the compound, known as Shunda Park, was jointly raided by the Karen National Union (KNU) and the People’s Defense Force (PDF).

“Most of the returnees are young people, around 20 to 30 years old. The Military Commission said they would open the road from 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm and everyone must leave completely within that time. They are heading toward Myawaddy carrying big and small bags,” a Min Let Pan resident told Mizzima.

Those returning to Myawaddy are travelling on foot, by motorbike, private car, and truck. While workers were moving from Min Let Pan village to Ingyin Myaing village, the Military Commission side fired a heavy weapon and a heavy machine gun as intimidation.

A Karen political analyst warned that the returning youth need to be extremely careful as they are highly likely to be subjected to conscription or forced porter duty by the Military Commission.

The KNU released a statement saying that the joint forces raided the compound, which was led by Chinese mafia groups and protected by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), in Min Lat Pan village on 23 November.

The raided scam compound is reportedly operated under the control of DKBA Battalion (905) Deputy Commander Colonel Saw Kyaw Ko Min, alias Tha Khwa Thee. The DKBA issued an arrest warrant for Colonel Saw Kyaw Ko Min on 24 November for charges including failing to properly perform his duties under military discipline Article (2) and exceeding his authority under military discipline Article (13).

Foreign nationals from the scam syndicate are facing difficulties returning home via Thailand and are currently stranded on the Moei River sandbank along the Thai-Myanmar border.

In a related incident, Military Commission troops shot and killed three Myanmar female workers who had been working in the compound and were trying to return home on 23 November. In addition, several civilians were injured and are receiving medical treatment.