A completely false claim began circulating on social media on November 27 around 8:00 pm, saying that the junta bombed Lay Kay Kaw Town in Myawaddy Township, Karen State, because the Karen National Union (KNU) was concealing and protecting telecom scam operations (Zhapian gangs) there.
A Facebook account named Ayeyarwady May posted a claim that the junta was conducting airstrikes to target Zhapian businesses linked to the KNU. The post included three photos showing Zhapian workers gathered near the Thaungyin (Moei) River, which serves as the natural border between Thailand and Myanmar.
Link 1 - https://archive.ph/3JmtX
The same information was also shared on a pro-junta Telegram channel, where it garnered over 3,000 views and around 100 reactions.
Link 2 - https://archive.ph/BxJH8
The Karen Information Center (KIC), a member of the Myanmar Fact-Checking Network (MFCN), investigated the claim and found it to be completely false and fabricated.
Fact-checking
A reverse image search of the three photos shared by the social media accounts spreading the misinformation revealed that the people depicted were actually Zhapian workers who had fled to the Thaungyi River due to the conflict caused by the junta’s offensive against resistance forces. They were stranded there because Thai authorities had not yet permitted them to cross the border.
The images were originally published by a Thai news outlet and circulated on social media around 10:00 a.m. on November 27.
Amarin News- https://tinyurl.com/2w8ysc7m
Local media have reported that Zhapian workers who fled the junta’s offensive and were unable to cross into Thailand remain stranded on the Thaungyi River.
Than Lwin Times- https://tinyurl.com/4eca396m
Network Media Group - https://tinyurl.com/45azxar5
Mizzima – https://tinyurl.com/d9nsxwvx
KIC - https://tinyurl.com/ycy7p9kz
On November 21, the KNU and allied groups unexpectedly discovered a secret telecom scam compound near Min Let Pan Village in Myawaddy Township, operating under the protection of the junta-aligned Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA). According to Myanmar media, the KNU began detaining workers, systematically collecting evidence, and handing it over to the relevant authorities.
Myanmar Now- https://tinyurl.com/58zf3hwp
After the KNU announced on November 25 that it had taken control of the scam compound, was conducting follow-up operations, and was seeking international cooperation to combat telecom scams, the junta intensified ground assaults, artillery shelling, and airstrikes targeting the area.
BBC – https://tinyurl.com/wze44hm5
Irrawaddy – https://tinyurl.com/24xfuys7
People’s Spring – https://tinyurl.com/n3azyw2z
KIC - https://tinyurl.com/xvh666pv
Conclusion
Investigations have shown that the junta increased its use of airstrikes and artillery barrages after the KNU officially announced it had begun collecting evidence following its takeover of the Min Let Pan telecom scam compound.
The KNU has released a series of updates detailing conditions inside the telecom scam compound, including the workforce, operational methods, and coordination with Thai authorities – all of which clarify that claims KNU leaders protected the Zhapian gangs are completely baseless and false.
Furthermore, the investigation verified that the photos used by the accusers were unrelated to the original content. While it is true that the junta carried out airstrikes in Min Let Pan, the messages interpreting the situation were deliberately altered to mislead the public.
Social media users should also reach out to reliable fact-checking organizations to verify whether the information they encounter is true or false.
Readers and viewers can contact MFCN members for fact-checking results or request a fact-check through the MFCN links below.
Website - https://myanmarfactcheckingnetwork.org/
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/myanmarfactcheckingnetwork
