Of three people’s defence force (PDF) members handed over to the Myanmar junta by Thai Immigration, two are currently believed to be in Mawlamyine Prison and one was believed shot and killed.

Thiha (38), Htet Nay Win (31), and Saw Phyo Lay (26) are members of Lion Battalion Commando PDF. They were arrested by Thai Immigration at a checkpoint on the road to Bangkok in Mae Sot on 1 April, after getting lost whilst on their way to a clinic.

They were reportedly deported to Myanmar into the custody of the Border Guard Force (BGF) on 4 April, even though Thai NGOs had expressed concerns and the Thai military had wanted the men released in Thailand.

According to reports, as the three men were being taken across the Moei River to the BGF’s Gyin Myaing camp they tried to escape.

According to reports the BGF soldiers shot at them and Saw Phyo Lay was hit in the chest. He died a few hours later at the BGF base, this was confirmed in a statement by Lion Battalion Commando PDF.

Thiha and Htet Nay Win were handed over to the junta army according to photos on junta social media channels. They were then taken to Thingan Nyi Naung army camp, according to a source.

By 10 April the junta had killed the two men, according to a 10 April press release by the Thai NGO, The People’s Empowerment Foundation.

This assumption may well have been premature and incorrect.

Subsequent reports on junta social media seem to show that the men may not have been killed and are instead being held in Mawlamyine Prison.

Prominent politicians and Thai opposition parties have harshly criticized the Thai government over the repatriation of the men.

Lion Battalion Commando PDF has been taking part in fighting against the junta in Shwe Kokko in Karen State’s Myawaddy Township.