Colonel Saw Chit Thu will be Arrest: If Enter Thailand

Colonel Saw Chit Thu, leader of the Myanmar junta-allied Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) and his associates will be arrested if they enter Thailand, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai insisted on Wednesday.

The BGF controls the sprawling transnational organised crime hub that has sprung up in Shwe Kokko township near Myawaddy in Kayin state, across the border from Tak province.

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is seeking court approval for an arrest warrant for Saw Chit Thu and two other high-ranking officers on charges of transnational human trafficking.

Mr Phumtham, who is also the defence minister, said authorities have evidence to proceed with issuing an arrest warrant. The process strictly follows legal procedures, he added.

Thailand cannot take action within Myanmar’s territory, as it would violate another country’s sovereignty. However, if any suspect enters Thailand, authorities will immediately arrest them.

Reports indicate that Saw Chit Thu may be in northern Thailand and authorities will look to see if the reports are true.

Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) News reported that Saw Chit Thu had denied any involvement in criminal activities in Shwe Kokko in a telephone interview.

“Neither I nor the BGF brought these foreigners into Myanmar. They came of their own free will. Thailand knows exactly how they got here,” he said.

“The BGF is willing to hand over any foreign nationals if requested,” he added.

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party, in response to the interview, said Thai authorities have a duty to strictly enforce the law, regardless of what the BGF says.

Colonel Saw Chit Thu, born in Kyar Inn village, Hlaingbwe, Karen State, Myanmar, is a prominent Karen military figure and businessperson. He began his military career with the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) in 1994, a faction that split from the Karen National Union (KNU) and allied with Myanmar’s military.

As commander of DKBA Battalion 999, he was influential in operations along the Thai-Myanmar border. In 2010, he transitioned the DKBA into the Border Guard Force (BGF) under the Tatmadaw’s command. Beyond his military role, Saw Chit Thu has been involved in various business ventures, notably collaborating with Chinese investors to develop Shwe Kokko, a project criticized for alleged illicit activities.

In December 2023, the UK sanctioned him for alleged involvement in forced labor and human trafficking. Recently, Thai authorities have indicated that Saw Chit Thu and his associates will face arrest if they enter Thailand, citing their involvement in cross-border criminal activities.

Original Post: Bangkok Post