Families of Win Zaw Tun and Zaw Lin — widely known as Win and Zaw — two young migrant workers from Arakan (Rakhine) State serving life sentences in Thailand over a 2014 double murder case, are hoping for a rare prison visit later this month with the help of diplomatic officials and human rights advocates.
Legal aid organizations and the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok are arranging a possible prison visit in the final week of June. If it goes ahead, the trip would give the families a rare chance to meet the two men face to face.
“Mom is desperate to see her son. She’s wanted this for years, but because of poverty and her poor health, she hasn’t been able to travel to Thailand. We appeal for any support that could help make this journey possible,” said Ye Zaw Tun, elder brother of Win Zaw Tun.
But the escalating conflict in Kyaukphyu Township has created major logistical hurdles. Travel restrictions imposed by both the junta and the Arakan Army (AA), along with security risks in active conflict areas, continue to obstruct movement and complicate official clearance procedures.
U Htoo Chit, executive director of the Thailand-based Foundation for Education and Development (FED), told DMG that his organization is trying to stay in contact with the families of Win and Zaw — now both 33 years old — despite those difficulties.
“I spoke with Win Zaw Tun’s mother, but I still haven’t been able to reach Zaw Lin’s mother because communications are down. Given the situation, we’re also encouraging local partners to record short video messages from the mothers so they can be delivered to their sons in prison,” he said.
Win Zaw Tun’s mother remains in her native Karpichaung Village, while residents of Michaungyaethauk Village — home to Zaw Lin’s family — have fled amid clashes and airstrikes.
“The entire village where Zaw Lin’s family lived has been displaced by the fighting. Before they fled, his mother often spoke about wanting to see him. If it’s possible, we’re also ready to help make a family reunion happen,” said a man close to Zaw Lin’s family.
Win and Zaw were arrested in 2014 in connection with the murder of a British tourist couple on Thailand’s Koh Tao Island in Surat Thani Province. In 2015, the Koh Samui Court convicted them on seven charges, including rape and murder, and sentenced them to death.
Thailand’s Appeals Court and Supreme Court upheld the sentences, despite the defence claiming irregularities in the collection and handling of forensic evidence. On December 5, 2020, the Thai King commuted their sentences to life imprisonment via a royal pardon.
The families last travelled to Thailand to meet Win and Zaw in 2019, but have been unable to make another trip since then due to financial hardship and the deteriorating health of the two mothers.
