The bodies of three men who appeared to have been killed with their hands tied behind their backs were found near the “Mashi Khaṇa” monastery on the Thanbyuzayat-Ye highway in Mon State, according to local news sources.
The bodies of the three middle-aged men were found piled beside the road. A source close to a local social welfare group said the bodies showed bruises and gunshot wounds, while containers filled with oil coating materials and spraying equipment were also found nearby.
“The three bodies were found stacked on top of each other beside the road near Mashi Khaṇa Pagoda in Weh Htar village. The top body still had its hands tied,” the source said.
According to investigations by relevant authorities, the three men were from Shweinton village old ward in Daik-U Township, Bago Region, and Pyuntasa town in Nyaunglebin Township. They had reportedly been staying at a guesthouse in Thanbyuzayat town.
The men were reportedly working in Thanbyuzayat and nearby villages, offering door-to-door oil coating services.
“When officials checked with the guesthouse staff, they said the men left the guesthouse around 6:30 a.m. on May 13 carrying containers and spraying equipment. They did not inform the guesthouse where they were going and did not return that night,” a source close to the Thanbyuzayat police station said.
Local residents said groups offering oil coating services have recently been involved in frequent fraud cases in villages across Mon State.
“They usually agree to do the work for around 500,000 kyat, including materials and labor. But near completion, they demand 1 lakh or 1.5 lakh kyat more, which often causes disputes with local residents. They were not known for working honestly,” a local resident said.
Residents also said the men may have been killed after disputes arose while carrying out such activities in villages controlled by armed groups.
The bodies were sent to Thanbyuzayat General Hospital for post-mortem examination. Authorities have opened a case at the Thanbyuzayat police station under Case No. 58/2026 and Article 54 of the Counter-Terrorism Law, according to sources.
