December 5, 2025
BANGKOK – On Thursday (December 4), Myanmar’s military, led by the 44th Infantry Division, in coordination with the Border Guard Force (BGF) and the Ministry of Border Affairs of Kayin State, demolished a 13-storey building within the Shwe Kokko Special Economic Zone, located in Myawaddy district, Kayin State, Myanmar.
This area, directly across from Thailand’s Mae Sot district in Tak province, is a key gateway for cross-border trade.
On December 3, Myanmar and Kayin forces had already successfully destroyed one building, which garnered significant attention from both Thai and Myanmar residents. This demolition is part of Myanmar’s ongoing strategy to eliminate properties linked to online scam operations run by Chinese-backed businesses.
Initial checks by Thai authorities revealed that no casualties or damage had occurred on the Thai side.
Myanmar authorities have confirmed their intention to continue demolishing 63-64 such buildings in the region. The operation, aimed at targeting scam-related structures, is expected to take several months.
Thai security officials anticipate further demolitions on December 4, with careful planning to ensure no impact on the nearby communities in Shwe Kokko.