Frequent robberies and murders create fear for residents in Three Pagoda Pass

May 21, 2025

HURFOM: Civilians have frequently been killed in the Thai-Burma border town, Three Pagoda Pass, Kyarinnseikyi Township, Karen State, leaving residents frightened.

Robbery of motorbikes has frequently taken place and sometimes, the robbers kill the motorbike owners. There have also been numerous cases of sexual abuse of women.

“We’ve filed a report to the DKBA after being robbed. But they’ve charged us with an extra service fee. We have to live with fear. We have no one to rely on. We have to suffer alone in silence,” said another resident.

Currently, the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) controls Three Pagoda Pass Town.

Residents now avoid traveling on empty streets, and everyone is fearful of going outside after 6 p.m.

In November 2024, three family members of a staff member from the Department of Electricity in Ward #2, Three Pagoda Pass Town were brutally killed. In the third week of May, 2025, a dead body of a plantation worker was found near the “Sa Nwin Kwin” field in Htaw Mae Par (Karen Zu) Ward, Three Pagoda Pass.

“Murder of civilians happens every three or six months. Sometimes, there are two cases within a month. The murderers have never been caught,” said a resident.

The dead bodies of the civilians are usually abandoned in Taung Wile, Karen Zu, Htaw Mae Par, U Daung Kan and Htee Long Zu Wards. Some bodies have also been found in rubber plantations on the outskirts of the town.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News