The military junta/ group, taking advantage of the blockade of legitimate business channels and the deterioration of the rule of law, has not only virtually legalized gambling operations but also directly profits from the people. Details can be found in the following socio-economic review of Mon State.
Here is the initial audio overview of the analysis.
Mon State Economy Under Junta Oppression
The socio-economic situation in Mon State is observed to be distorted under two crises due to the policies of the military council. On one hand, the administrative mechanism is being used to directly extort profit from the public. On the other hand, official economic channels are being blocked, directly threatening the local community’s livelihood . This analysis will examine these two interconnected forms of oppression—the country’s systemic decay and a governance system that treats the public as victim.
I. Extortion and Forced Conscription Using the Administrative Mechanism
The security forces under the military commission have deviated from their duty to protect the rule of law and have transformed into a mechanism that systematically oppresses and exploits the people. This section will examine the methods, targets, and broad consequences of their systematic extortion and forced conscription practices.
(a)Targeting Local Youth
Military junta-controlled forces in Kyaikto Township are extorting money primarily from local youth. Methods used include arresting and accusing young men riding motorcycles together of violating local orders. According to locals, nearly 20 young people from Taikaw, Kothtine, Khalun, Kyaikkatha villages, and Kawsan Naing and southern wards have recently been subjected to such arrests and extortion.
Those arrested are being asked to pay between 1 million and 15 million kyats per person, and if they cannot pay the requested amount, they are forcibly conscripted into military service. A local source’s information, “The military, including the police, and members of military security forces divide the spoils proportionally,” attests that this act may not be mere corruption but a systematically organized exploitati
on system.[1]
(b)Unprotected war-displaced civilians
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) fleeing to Mon State from other conflict areas, including Shan, Kachin, Rakhine, Sagaing, and Magway, are being systematically targeted. The requirement to register guests, a seemingly official procedure, has been transformed from a measure intended to protect displaced people into a tool of oppression, easily exploited to create a list for targeting by those in power. Furthermore, discriminatory practices exist, such as limiting individuals with Shan State registration (13/…) to staying in only three designated guesthouses.
The severity of the situation is illustrated by the case of one family who arrived with complete documentation. “They released two out of five people. I heard they took the other three away,” a local resident said. This incident highlights how no one is safe from the authorities’ lawless actions, even with official documents.[2]
(c) Socio-economic Impacts
The above actions have broad socio-economic consequences. They create an environment of fear and panic among the public and severely restrict the freedom of movement of young men who are able to work. This creates a situation where the economic situation of a family is directly linked to the safety and freedom of its members. This is not just ordinary corruption, but a group of people holding state power directly profiting from the resources of its people and becoming socially controlling. This is directly related to policy oppression that is cutting off the economic lifeline of an entire region.
II. Formal trade blockade and uncertain black-market economy
Border trade plays a strategically important role in the economy of Mon State. We will analyze in detail how the military commission’s closure of formal trade routes has affected normal business and created a complex, costly, and illegal smuggling network.
(a)Closure of Official Trade Routes
In August, the military council closed the Myanmar-Thai Friendship Bridge No. 2 in Myawaddy, a key point for importing goods from Thailand. This action halted the flow of legal trade and significantly impacted the local economy.
(b)Costly Illegal Goods Flow
With the official routes closed, traders are forced to use illegal routes such as Payathonzu-Kyaikkasan-Kyaikmayaw and Myawaddy-Tiktokko-Mawlamyine. To get goods through these routes, they have to pay taxes and fees to multiple organizations, including military council officials, Karen revolutionary forces, and Mon revolutionary forces.
As a result, transportation costs have risen significantly. For example, the fee paid for one item has increased from the previous 5,000 or 10,000 kyats to more than 50,000 kyats.[3]
(c)Economic Disparities and Market Impact
This situation has had different effects on businesses. Large traders with good connections and strong financial resources can afford the high costs and overcome complex bribery issues to keep their businesses running. However, small traders without connections or capital have had to suspend operations.
Despite the blockades and high costs, Mon State has avoided the severe shortages and exorbitant price increases seen in other regions because goods continue to flow through illegal routes. However, this situation is only a form of unstable local economic survival. According to one truck driver, “In this era, we are just grateful that the goods arrive,” a comment that reflects the precarious situation of the public’s economic sphere.
Impact of Gambling Businesses on Social Life
Exploiting the deterioration of the rule of law, the Military Council is significantly impacting the social and economic lives of the people by virtually legalizing gambling circles. These actions demonstrate that the state prioritizes self-interest over the betterment of public life.
(a) Expansion of Gambling Circles and Involvement of Authorities
Gambling circles have been rapidly opening under the guise of pagoda festivals and Zat Pwe (traditional performance) events in most townships of Mon State, including Mawlamyine, Mudon, Chaungzon, Kyaikmayaw, and Paung. These activities are being permitted by the police, military, and administrators under the Military Council, who are taking large sums of money from business people. In some areas, the leasing of gambling circles with five-year contracts[4] proves that this is not just short-term corruption, but
a long-term planned act.
The worst part is that “the police force, People’s Militia… are providing security.” This action transforms the state security apparatus, which is supposed to protect the people, into an organization that protects illegal businesses that destroy social life, thus reversing their fundamental duty.
(b) Social harms and security deterioration
The following social harms have arisen due to government-approved gambling venues:
- Increased crime: Robberies, motorcycle thefts, and even homicides for possessions occur almost daily. Motorcycle thefts are becoming more common in areas such as Chaungzon Township, and authorities are taking little to no action.
- Disruption of the social environment: Residents are losing sleep, becoming disturbed, and fearing robbery due to nighttime noise.
- Damage to cultural image: Locals are concerned that it will distort the image of festivals that have been held regularly for generations and that young people will imitate wrongly and go astray.
- Public reaction: Locals do not like this situation, but they remain silent because they are afraid of being threatened if they speak out.[5]
(b)Economic devastation and family breakdown
Gambling directly affects the economy of local people. Due to gambling losses, family problems such as spousal quarrels are becoming more common. Some lose to the point of having to mortgage their homes and cars, and many have left for Thailand after going bankrupt. Findings from the review suggest that Mon State is trapped in a complex crisis caused by the military commission’s style of governance. The military junta, which holds the power of the state administration, is directly profiting from the people, and its policies are undermining the legitimate economy. It can be seen as a form of governance that directly sacrifices the economic viability and social well-being of the public to enrich a small group of rulers. Therefore, as long as the coup military junta does not relinquish power, the lives of innocent people will have to endure suffering.
[1] Burma News International, October 10, 2025, In Kyaikto, extortion by junta troops is on the rise, Link
[2] Burma News International, September 30, 2025, In Kyaikhto, extortion by military council forces is on the rise, Link
[3] Mon News Agency, October 21, 2025, Even though Thai goods flow continuously into Mon State, the transportation costs are excessively high , Link
[4] Mon News Agency, October 15, 2025. Residents in the vicinity are reportedly disturbed by gambling dens, Link
[5] Than Lwin Times, September 26, 2025, large-scale gambling rings have been permitted in Mon State since before the end of the monsoon season, Link
