Armed groups and junta forces both extorting drivers and travelers on Ye – Thanbyuzayat Highway Road

May 15, 2025

HURFOM: Locals have reported to HURFOM that armed groups are stopping and extorting money from truck drivers and travelers using the 8^th Ye – Thanbyuzayat Union Highway Road in Ye Township, Mon State.

One resident said, “The Mon armed groups are active around Well Kha Mi.”

On May 1^st, 2025, a Mon armed group stopped a local traveler visiting Well Kha Mi village.

“They checked his phone and found a contact list named “Bo Gyi = Captain”. He explained it was a nickname of one of his friends but they didn’t believe him. They didn’t let him go. The resident continued saying, “a friend came to help negotiate his release, and that was when the armed group demanded a million MMK,”

Locals report that each truck or express bus travelling along the Ye – Thanbyuzayat Highway Road now must pay at least 20,000 MMK (at a check-point). The drivers said there are check-points or security gates operated by both the military junta and armed resistance groups.

“Now, there are more and more check-points and they extort more and more money. We can drive our truck only one day a week. if it isn’t an emergency, we stay at home,” said one truck driver.

The joint forces of the Karen National Liberation Army, the New Mon State Party (AD – Anti Military Dictatorship) and the Rehmonnya Military Column are known to have operations along the Ye – Thanbyuzayat Highway Road.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News