Sixteen young people who were arrested in Ranong, Thailand and subsequently deported to Myanmar have managed to escape after being forcibly recruited as soldiers by the military council. 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, four were recaptured by the military council during their journey, while the remaining ten have reportedly reached safe locations.
According to the accounts of those who escaped, they were first transferred from the Ranong detention center in Thailand to Kawthaung city, after which they were taken to Infantry Battalion 431 where they were forcibly recruited as soldiers. After spending approximately seven days at Infantry Battalion 431, they were transported by boat to Shwe Du Education School in Myeik Township. Although they were scheduled to undergo military training as part of Training Batch 9, the group managed to escape after just two days at the facility. The escape took place around 1:30 AM on February 3rd, when all 16 youths fled from the Shwe Du Education School. The following day, on February 4th, four of them were captured by the military council. The remaining escapees reached various safe locations, with Thant Naing Htwe (aka) Su Su and Naing Win Htun successfully reaching the Myeik Township PDF on March 6th.
Most of the escapees were reportedly from the Dawei region and had managed to contact the Myeik PDF through regional-level organizations to seek assistance. The Myeik PDF information officer La Yaung has urged other conscripted soldiers to seek refuge with People’s Defense Forces and stand with the public against the military council. He also warned civilians in cities and large villages to remain vigilant to avoid becoming hostages of the military council. The successful escape of these young people highlights the ongoing practice of forced military recruitment by the military council and the risks faced by Myanmar citizens who are deported back to the country from neighboring nations.
