Tensions are escalating between the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) in the Payathonzu region along the Thai-Myanmar border due to ongoing territorial disputes.
Recent developments indicate that the DKBA is attempting to establish a new outpost approximately 250 meters from an existing NMSP gate camp near Palai Japan village. The NMSP has formally objected to the construction of the outpost, but the DKBA has continued with its plans, straining relations between the two groups.
An NMSP official stated, “The DKBA is preparing to set up a camp near our gate, only 250 meters away, along the road from Payathonzu to Palai Japan village, adjacent to the Dharma Vihara Temple. We have issued warnings to halt their activities, but they have ignored our objections and proceeded with construction. In response, we are preparing to address this issue while also seeking a meeting with their leadership to de-escalate tensions. What comes next remains uncertain.”
The DKBA has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the NMSP gate camp near Palai Japan village, according to NMSP sources.
The current standoff is similar to incidents in 2019 when the DKBA’s sought to establish a new camp near an NMSP outpost in Payathonzu. That conflict led to armed clashes between the DKBA and the Mon National Liberation Army (MNLA), the armed wing of the NMSP.
Both the NMSP and DKBA are signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).
