Local sources report that business owners and armed groups in Payathonzu, a town situated on the Thailand-Myanmar border, are allegedly involved in the trafficking of narcotics, including heroin. The town has reportedly become a major transit point for drugs, which are being smuggled not only into Thailand but also to various regions within Myanmar.
According to a source from IMNA, business owners are reportedly collaborating with armed groups to facilitate the transport of heroin. “There is a significant stockpile of methamphetamine in Payathonzu, and preparations are underway to send these narcotics to other regions,” the source said. However, the specific armed groups involved in the trafficking remain undisclosed.
While narcotics are not being sold directly within Payathonzu, the drugs are being prepared for distribution to other areas. The town’s lack of an official border crossing between Myanmar and Thailand has made it a hotspot for smuggling. Informal routes are commonly used to transport goods, including narcotics, and have also been exploited by human traffickers to move people across borders.
A local resident said, “Narcotics like heroin are being trafficked through Payathonzu, not only to Thailand but also across Myanmar. If the situation continues, it will only worsen.”
In addition to drug trafficking, Payathonzu has seen a rise in illicit online financial schemes. Armed groups operating in the region include the Karen National Union (KNU), the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), the Karen Peace Council (PC), the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the Border Guard Force (BGF), and the People’s Defense Forces (PDF). However, it is reported that the town is primarily controlled by the DKBA, led by General Saw Aye Wan.
Since May 2024, there has been an influx of people from various ethnic groups, including Wa, Kokant, and Lisu, as well as Chinese nationals, who have moved to Payathonzu to participate in illegal business activities.
“Some of these groups are even exchanging narcotics for weapons,” an IMNA source explained. “Locals are generally not involved in such high-risk activities. Those behind these operations are typically supported by powerful armed groups.”
The ongoing conflict in Myanmar, which began with the military coup in 2021, has weakened the rule of law and created more opportunities for illegal activities. Sources involved in anti-drug efforts report that both drug use and trafficking have increased in recent years as a result of the instability in the country.
