Though thefts have been on the rise in Mon State, the junta has barely responded or taken any action against the thieves, according to residents of the state.
Brazen criminals have been using the cover of torrential monsoon rain to commit crimes such as stealing motorcycles and breaking into homes to steal cash, phones, and other valuables.
When people complain to the police about such thefts the police note the complaints but fail to pursue the perpetrators, citing security concerns as the reason for not doing so.
Recently, the thieves have become more emboldened and have been breaking into houses during heavy rainstorms, according to a Mon State resident who spoke to Than Lwin Times.
He said: “My friend and his wife were asleep in the middle of the day during a heavy downpour when thieves broke into their house. They took almost everything including wallets, cash hidden in baskets, and even household items like the electric rice cooker and iron. These guys usually carry weapons like rods and knives that could seriously hurt someone. They're getting really bold now.”
Another Mon State resident who was a victim of crime echoed the view that crime rates rise during the rainy season.
He said: “Thieves grab whatever they can get their hands on. I parked my car in the yard during the rain, and they stole everything they could find from it. Once something’s stolen, it’s pretty much gone. Even if you report it to the police, the chances of getting it back are slim. And on top of that, theft gets even worse during the rainy season.”
Some residents know who the thieves are but do not dare speak out because they fear for their safety if they were to do so. The aforementioned Mon State resident said that as the public has been powerless to respond to these criminals the rule of law has been steadily declining.
Though the junta has failed to crack down on thieves in Mon State it has managed to deploy many security force personnel at the entrances and exits of Mon State cities and towns to carry out strict checks on all people entering and leaving, to prevent resistance forces from infiltrating into urban areas.
The junta has installed security cameras (CCTV) not only at busy intersections but also in alleyways throughout urban areas of Mon State. But, it appears to be just using the CCTV cameras to target the resistance and not using them to help cut down on crime.
At the end of April 2025 Than Lwin Times reported that because the authorities have turned a blind eye to the increase in illegal gambling establishments in Mon State, crime in the state has soared as desperate gamblers try to steal to cover their losses.
