The Thai Army has repatriated 68 inmates who escaped from a resistance-run prison in Karenni State last week. They were handed over to the Myanmar military at the No. 2 Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge on the afternoon of 26 January, 2026.

“Yesterday morning, they departed Mae Hong Son and were turned over in the afternoon. Thailand adheres to the policy that these people must be returned to their home country if they are members of a certain Myanmar military or unit due to bilateral agreements in place,” a source said.

The group was part of a mass jailbreak on 18 January of 81 inmates from Prison No. 2 in Mese Township, an area largely controlled by anti-junta forces.

According to the Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC), the escapees included high-profile prisoners of war (POWs), among them a middle-ranking junta officer holding the rank of major. While 13 prisoners were recaptured by Karenni forces within Myanmar territory, 68 others managed to cross the border into Mae Hong Son, Thailand.

Thai authorities reportedly justified the handover based on bilateral agreements, identifying the returnees as members of Myanmar’s military or specific units. The move has sparked concern among humanitarian groups, as those returned – many of whom were former junta soldiers held as POWs – will likely be re-conscripted or face military discipline upon their return to junta-held territory.