A 24-year-old man from Mudon Township, Mon State, who was deported from Thailand through the Ranong border, was killed in fighting on February 22nd after being conscripted into military service.
According to a source close to his family, Ah Hein from Kalawtthawt Village in Mudon Township, had been living in Thailand without proper documentation when he was arrested in May 2024. He was detained for three months before being deported via the Ranong border.
Following his deportation, border authorities transferred him to Myanmar military officials. Three days later, his family was contacted and asked to pay more than 10 million kyats for his release. When they were unable to pay, he was sent to attend military training in Thanbyuzayat Township.
After completing training, he was deployed to serve in Ye and Thanbyuzayat townships and was assigned to Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 591, based in Kyaung Ywar Village.
A friend who had been in contact with him told IMNA, that on February 22nd, he was among a patrol unit that left the battalion base and became involved in a clash. He and four other soldiers were killed during the fighting.
“He stayed in touch with his family. He knew they could not afford the money, so he did not ask again. He believed he would serve for two years and then return home,” the friend said.
After completing military training, Ah Hein was allowed limited phone access and remained in periodic contact with family and friends, although he could not disclose details about his location.
Ah Hein had previously worked in Malaysia before moving to Thailand in 2022, where he was later arrested due to lacking proper documents.
According to an official from a Tanintharyi-based monitoring group, approximately 200 detainees per month are transferred from Thai custody to Myanmar military authorities through the Kawthaung–Ranong border. Many of those transferred, including young and middle-aged men, are subjected to forced conscription.
In January, 168 Myanmar nationals, including children, were deported from Thailand in two separate transfers via the Ranong border.
