Displaced residents drive rise in property sales in Thandwe

By Admin 12 Jun 2026

DMG Newsroom

12 June 2026, Thandwe

A growing number of properties are being put up for sale in Thandwe Township as displaced residents seek to liquidate assets amid ongoing security concerns and economic hardship, local real estate brokers said on Friday.

The properties being offered for sale include homes in urban wards of Thandwe as well as vacant plots along the Thandwe-Ngapali road.

According to local brokers, many of the sellers are residents who fled the township due to conflict and are now living in other parts of Myanmar.

"We are seeing two main reasons behind the increase in property sales," a female real estate broker in Thandwe told DMG. "Some displaced families are selling their properties to cover living expenses, while others are selling in order to settle permanently in places such as Yangon and Ayeyarwady Region. Many have already established their lives outside Arakan State."

Residents said concerns over security remain a major factor influencing property owners' decisions.

"Fighting near the border between Gwa Township and Ayeyarwady Region remains unstable," a Thandwe resident said. "People are worried about the possibility of renewed conflict. There are also concerns over artillery attacks from junta naval vessels offshore, making it difficult for residents to feel secure."

Local community activists have also urged the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) to closely monitor land transactions and verify ownership records to prevent potential disputes involving previously acquired properties.

"Before the conflict, some large land acquisitions were carried out through arrangements involving business interests and local authorities," a Thandwe-based activist said. "If those properties are now being resold through intermediaries, it could create legal disputes in the future."

Before the conflict, Thandwe Township was one of western Myanmar's major tourism and property investment hubs due to the popularity of Ngapali Beach.

However, the tourism sector has largely collapsed due to the conflict, while local fishing activities have also been affected by security concerns at sea, contributing to rising unemployment and economic difficulties.

The Arakan Army took control of Thandwe Township in September 2024. Since then, the ULA has been working to restore administrative functions and public services in the area.