Some supporters of the military have begun returning to live in Mawdaung town in Tanintharyi Township, Myeik District, along the Thai-Myanmar border, after the military junta regained control of the area, according to local residents.
Revolutionary joint forces captured Mawdaung in November 2025. After several rounds of fighting, the military junta recaptured the town in mid-May 2026.
During the fighting, many government buildings, the hospital, schools and monasteries in Mawdaung were heavily damaged by artillery shelling and airstrikes.
A Mawdaung resident said some military supporters have returned after the military junta began reconstruction work and announced plans to restore economic activities along the border.
“At the moment, only military supporters have returned. Ordinary civilians, whether they support either side or not, have not come back yet. Those who have returned are only allowed to stay inside the town. They are not allowed to live outside the town,” the resident said.
Mawdaung has more than 1,500 houses. Although tens of thousands of residents fled the fighting, only a small number have returned, according to local residents.
Residents displaced by the fighting must obtain a recommendation letter from the Tanintharyi Township General Administration Office before they are allowed to return to Mawdaung. Security checks have also been tightened along the Tanintharyi-Mawdaung road.
“Vehicles are still not allowed to enter Mawdaung. Only motorcycles are permitted. The military has reinforced its troops and set up checkpoints along the road. Displaced residents who want to return to Mawdaung must first obtain a recommendation letter in Tanintharyi town,” the resident said.
Meanwhile, local residents said many homes were broken into and valuables were stolen while Mawdaung was under the control of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and allied revolutionary forces.
According to FE5 Tanintharyi’s May report, at least 58 clashes were recorded across Tanintharyi Region during May. Most of the fighting took place along the road leading to Mawdaung and in nearby villages in Tanintharyi Township on the Thai-Myanmar border.
The report also said that fighting, airstrikes and naval attacks displaced at least 93,200 people across Tanintharyi Region during May.
