A group of 16 young people successfully escaped after being forcibly recruited into military service by the military council following their deportation from Ranong, Thailand to Myanmar. Among the escapees, two youths named Thant Naing Htwe (aka) Su Su and Naing Win Htun have successfully reached the People’s Defense Force (PDF) in Myeik Township, as confirmed by La Yaung, the information officer of Myeik PDF. Of the 16 who attempted to escape, 4 were recaptured by the military council during their journey, while the remaining 10 have reportedly reached safe locations.
According to the accounts of those who escaped, they were initially transferred from the Ranong detention center in Thailand to Kawthaung city, after which they were sent to Infantry Battalion 431 where they were forcibly recruited as soldiers. After being held at Infantry Battalion 431 for approximately seven days, they were transported by boat to Shwe Du Education School in Myeik Township. The group managed to escape around 1:30 AM on February 3rd while attending the 9th batch of military training at the facility. La Yaung, the information officer of Myeik PDF, explained that most of the escapees were locals from the Dawei region who had contacted and requested assistance through divisional level channels, leading to their rescue through secure routes.
The incident highlights the military council’s ongoing practice of forced recruitment and human rights violations. The Myeik PDF spokesperson emphasized the need for civilians to remain vigilant against the military council’s forced recruitment efforts and encouraged current service members to defect and join the people’s side. This case serves as another example of the military council’s human rights violations, as they continue to forcibly recruit civilians into military service against their will. The successful escape of these young people from the military council’s oppression demonstrates both the regime’s continuing abuses and the resistance against such practices by Myanmar’s youth.
