KNU warns of impending clash with BGF after Mote Thone evades Thai arrest warrant

The Karen National Union (KNU) told DVB that a confrontation with the Karen State Border Guard Force (BGF) is likely after its leader Mote Thone relocated from Myawaddy Township, along the Myanmar-Thailand border, to a village in the Karen State capital Hpa-An Township to avoid arrest by Thai authorities

Thailand’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) issued an arrest warrant for Mote Thone on July 27 for his alleged role in human trafficking from Thailand into Myanmar’s Myawaddy, where cyber scam operations continue despite a multinational crackdown in 2025. 

Hto Robin, the spokesperson for KNU Brigade 5, told DVB that Mote Thone is now staying inside territory under his control, at Mount Mizai near Kyarinn village. 

A military counteroffensive against the KNU in Brigade 5 has been ongoing since November 2025. It has been attempting to regain control of Hpapun town from the KNU armed wing, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), since May. The KNLA seized control of Hpapun, which is located 109 miles (175 km) north of Hpa-An, in March 2024.

At least 14 regime troops were killed by the KNLA during clashes in Hpapun from Aug. 1-15. No casualties were reported from the KNU. 

In January, Mote Thone defied orders from BGF leader Chit Thu to surrender his weapons and integrate his troops into his new outfit, the Karen National Army.

This reportedly led to a split within the BGF with Chit Thu leading his rebranded Karen National Army and Mote Thone continuing to fight alongside regime forces in southern Myawaddy as the BGF.

Mote Thone, along with BGF leaders Chit Thu and Tin Win, have been sanctioned by the European Union in October 2024 for alleged involvement in cyber scam operations in Shwe Kokko, which is the BGF headquarters located 16 miles (26 km) north of Myawaddy and 91 miles (148 km) east of Hpa-An.

Chit Thu was sanctioned by the U.S., the U.K., the EU, and Switzerland in 2023 for human trafficking and forced labor at Shwe Kokko. 

In 2025, Thai authorities requested arrest warrants for Mote Thone, Chit Thu and Tin Win following statements from human trafficking victims rescued from cyber scam operations in BGF-controlled parts of Myawaddy, including Shwe Kokko. 

But to date, the only arrest warrant issued by the Thai authorities is for Mote Thone.

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