The Karen National Union (KNU) issued a statement on May 9 expressing grave concerns about the military council’s plans to construct a nuclear power plant using Russian technology, citing serious risks to the safety, security, and well-being of both Myanmar and Thai citizens. This announcement came following the KNLA’s recapture of the Theecee area in Dawei Township, Tanintharyi Region, and serves as a notice to Thai citizens living along the Thai-Myanmar border.
The KNU detailed how the Myanmar military’s seizure of their Myeik-Dawei District territory in 1997 led to military conflicts and forced displacement of local residents. The KNU’s Brigade 4 expressed their belief that regaining control of the Theecee military base in the Myeik-Dawei region was essential to guarantee the security of residents in both Myanmar and Thailand.
The organization stated their conviction that military action against the military council is necessary to liberate people from the military’s violence and ensure their right to self-determination under the military dictatorship. The KNU identified two potential locations where the military council plans to construct nuclear power plants using Russian technology: central Bago Region and the Dawei Special Economic Zone in Tanintharyi Region near the Thai border.
The KNU emphasized their historical peaceful coexistence with Thai people and expressed their commitment to maintaining friendly neighborly relations based on mutual respect and friendship, both now and in the future. They affirmed their stance on maintaining perpetual peace and cooperative relations with Thailand, while hoping for understanding from the Thai people regarding their current military operations.
