Authorities under the New Mon State Party (NMSP) are investigating the death of a man whose body, showing signs of severe beating, was found dumped inside Palai Japan village, Payathonzu Township, located along the Thai–Myanmar border.
According to local sources, the incident occurred on the night of November 3, when an unidentified group arrived in a Probox vehicle and dumped the body near the Ramonnya Monastery football field within the village. The following day, villagers discovered the body and later cremated it.
The deceased, believed to be of Chinese descent, bore multiple injuries consistent with physical assault. However, no documents or belongings were found to confirm his identity.
Officials from the NMSP administration in Payathonzu have launched an investigation but say the case remains difficult to solve due to a lack of evidence and witnesses.
“It is challenging to identify the perpetrators. The gate guard only recalled the type of vehicle but not the license plate number. Without evidence, it’s not easy to make progress,” said a person close to the investigation.
Residents noted that there are no Chinese nationals currently living in Palai Japan village, leading some to suspect that the deceased may have been connected to Chinese online fraud operations, locally known as Kya Phyant (诈骗, Zhàpiàn), based in Payathonzu Township.
Some locals also believe the body was deliberately dumped inside the NMSP-controlled area in an attempt to undermine the group’s reputation.
“They could have dumped the body anywhere, but they chose to bring it inside the village, close to the NMSP gate and monastery. It seems intended to create public criticism toward the NMSP,” a villager explained.
Meanwhile, armed groups allegedly linked to Chinese-run online scam operations in Payathonzu have denied any knowledge or involvement in the case.
Local sources further reported that following the military junta’s commission raid on the KK Park online scam compound in Myawaddy in late October, the number of Chinese nationals entering Payathonzu and nearby areas has noticeably increased, especially during nighttime.
