KNU controls one-third of Thai-Myanmar border, says research group

By Admin 18 Jul 2025

DMG Newsroom

18 July 2025, Myawaddy, Kayin State

The Karen National Union (KNU) has taken control of one-third of the Thai-Myanmar border, the Institute for Strategy and Policy - Myanmar (ISP-Myanmar) said in a report on July 18. The Thai-Myanmar border is about 2,400 kilometres long, and the KNU currently controls nearly 800 kilometres, according to the report.

On July 12, joint forces led by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) seized the Myanmar military's Ukarihta camp near the border, locking in KNU control over that stretch of the dividing line between the two countries.

"After the 2021 military coup, most of the KNU's operations focused on expanding control of the Myanmar-Thailand border rather than expanding control of mainland Myanmar," the ISP-Myanmar report said.

For anti-regime forces, border control is critical for three purposes: to build territory, to consolidate resources, and to promote regional border trade and economic activities, as well as being the key to fostering border security between Myanmar and Thailand.

ISP-Myanmar sees the expansion of KNU control along the Thai-Myanmar border as an opportunity to expand its political, territorial, and administrative power.

"It also opens up routes for the KNU to import basic goods, from food to ammunition. The KNU could potentially try to gain full control of border trade routes and camps," said the ISP-Myanmar report.

The KNU has captured 15 of the 16 military camps of the Myanmar regime on the Thai-Myanmar border in Kayin State, and is also blockading and attacking the remaining T Thellae camp.

The Myanmar military's Ukarihta camp, which was captured by the KNU some 30 miles from Myawaddy, is adjacent to the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) military headquarters, and is now under KNU control, reducing the size of the DKBA's territory.

A military and political analyst said that the KNU's actions could turn the Thai border into a junta-free zone, allowing it to dominate the Myawaddy and Thai border areas.

"The second round of fighting by the KNU has seen many successes. This round has seen the KNU's goals being achieved and the establishment of the Kawthoolei territory," he added.

More than four years after the military coup, the KNU has taken control of 61 percent of Karen State, as well as some areas in Tanintharyi and Bago regions, according to the ISP-Myanmar report.