CNI Interview

19 February 2025

Telegram fraud (Zha pian) and human trafficking are taking place in Myawaddy and Shwe Kokko in Karen State, Myanmar. 

So, China is putting pressure on Thailand and China, Myanmar and Thailand are jointly trying to suppress the Zha pian. 

With a view to suppression of Zha pian, Thailand has cut out providing electricity, internet service and fuel oil to Myawaddy, Shwe Kokko and Paya Thone Zu Towns which have been dominated by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) and the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF).

Regarding the above situation, CNI News interviewed the DKBA Chief of Staff Maj-Gen Saw San Aung.

CNI News: Let us know what the DKBA is currently carrying out regarding the Zha pian and its future plan?

Maj-Gen Saw San Aung: We'll have to crush up the Zha pian because it's inhumane and cruel. It's been notorious.

CNI News: How's the DKBA cooperating with the Myanmar Tatmadaw now?

Maj-Gen Saw San Aung: We have agreed to a ceasefire with the Myanmar Tatmadaw. We have signed the NCA. There is communication and exchange of information between the two sides.

While checks were being conducted to hand over those involved in Zha pian to Thailand

CNI News: How's it going with Thailand? What agreements are there between the DKBA and Thailand?

Maj-Gen Saw San Aung: Not particularly. We haven't any agreements with Thailand. People here on the Myanmar side go to the Thai side to buy things. And crops produced in Myanmar are exported to Thailand. 

We have difficulty transferring people ( who worked for telegram fraudsters) to Thailand. The large number of people makes transportation difficult. We were not able to hand over the detained people to the Thai side in accordance with the immigration law of Myanmar. 

In fact, they came here through Thailand. So, we hand over these people to Thailand effortlessly. We haven't read the exact laws.

CNI News: If China ask the DKBA to hand over the telegram fraudsters to it, how does the DKBA plan to send telegram fraudsters to China?

Maj-Gen Saw San Aung: We won't hand over telegram fraudsters to China whenever it asks us because China hasn't fed rice to us.

CNI News: What will happen if China enters your region to arrest the telegram fraudsters by reason of Zha pian as it did in the Wa and Kokang region? How have you planned to face the situation?

While Chinese Assistant Minister for Public Security was meeting those involved in Zha pian from Myawaddy

Maj-Gen Saw San Aung: The Wa region is next to China. The Wa people have to enter and leave China.

CNI News: As Thailand has cut out providing electricity, it hurts the people on the Myanmar side. How has the DKBA made it up?

Maj-Gen Saw San Aung: Cutting out electricity is an inhuman and cruel act. Ordinary people here outnumber those involved in the Zha pian. In terms of humanity and human rights, there is no reason to cut off electricity. Thailand has to suppress the culprits only. All the people involved in the Zha pian came here through Thailand.

CNI News: Thailand is also preparing to arrest and prosecute the BGF leaders. They are saying to arrest the DKBA leaders. How do you want to respond to it?

Maj-Gen Saw San Aung: We won't respond to anything. The nature of the world is that if you are weak, you will suffer. If Thailand provides evidence, it will arrest. But it's necessary to know that if they can arrest us, we can arrest them as well. That's what a soldier says.

CNI News: What else do you want to say regarding the regional cases?

Maj-Gen Saw San Aung: We want this region to be peaceful. I feel sorry for the people when I hear the sound of mines and bombs.