Vox Pop: Residents, observers offer views on importance of battleground Thandwe

By Admin 29 Jun 2024

DMG Newsroom
29 June 2024, Sittwe

The Arakkha Army (AA) has been attempting to drive junta troops out of Thandwe and Taungup towns in southern Arakan State.

Fierce clashes are reported daily as the AA has besieged Light Infantry Battalion No. 566 and Infantry Battalion No. 55 based in Thandwe and the vicinity of Ngapali Beach.

As the regime and the AA vie for control of Thandwe Township - home to the renowned Ngapali Beach, a cluster of luxury hotels and the Tha Htay Chaung hydropower project - residents and military observers shared their views with DMG on why the township and eponymous town are important for the regime and the AA.

U Than Soe Naing || Political analyst

Ngapali Beach has been known worldwide and recognised as the most beautiful and cleanest beach in Myanmar since the colonial period. Hotels there are owned by cronies and relatives of Myanmar military leaders. It is the paradise of cronies. Ngapali is a must-visit destination for foreign travellers. Ngapali has luxury hotels. It is a profitable business. As to the trade, Ngapali and Thandwe are linked to the Ayeyarwady Delta. That's why the AA is trying to occupy there.

Thandwe native and business owner

Thandwe is [junta boss Min Aung Hlaing's wife] Kyu Kyu Hla's native town. Many hoteliers have to partner with them. The regime levies taxes on hotels every month. I don't want hotels to be affected by the fighting. But they will pay taxes to the relevant government that controls the state in the future.

Between 3,500 to 4,000 people are employed in this industry. When visitors flock to Ngapali Beach during the Thingyan holiday [in April each year], the money residents earn from them is enough for them to survive throughout the rainy season [from June to October]. I can't tell if Thandwe is crucial for the regime, but it could be a cash cow for the future Arakan State.

Local woman || Kyaukphyu

Most of us have classified the residents of Thandwe as not speaking the Arakanese language. Although the dialects are different, in southern Arakan and northern Arakan, we portray the people in southern Arakan as Burman-minded people. Due to these conditions, the local people in Thandwe and Gwa townships were also left behind.

The ULA/AA, which is now addressing these problems, has gained many military advantages in Thandwe. It can be assumed that the junta troops in Thandwe will soon fall into the hands of the AA as they are surrounded by them. In general, I see that conquering Thandwe is important for the AA to rebuild the national identity and dignity of Arakanese people, in addition to the political and economic aspects.

U Pe Than || Veteran Arakanese politician

Thandwe is a district-level town in southern Arakan State, and it is a symbol that the ULA/AA can attack there. In Thandwe, there are many hotel zones and hotel businesses that are the businesses of families and cronies related to the military regime. Because of this, they have many situations where they will lose.

Next, Ngapali Beach is a destination for tourists from all over the world. If the ULA/AA can take control of Thandwe, it will gain political prestige and the regime will lose a lot of prestige. So this is where the regime could lose a lot of ground in terms of prestige, politics and economy, and the ULA/AA will be able to gain those things.

U Tun Kyi || Political analyst

Thandwe is the main point connecting mainland Myanmar and Arakan State. Another thing is that Thandwe is a world-class destination for the hotels and tourism industry. Thandwe Town is a strategic economic location.

In terms of geopolitics, Arakan State is important because almost every township is an outlet to the sea. What's special is that the towns that are important from a military and political point of view, as well as economically, are places like Kyaukphyu, Sittwe and Thandwe. Thandwe District as a whole is a place connected to mainland Myanmar as well as a place that is benefiting from the local economy. From a military point of view, it is also the best place for the AA to defend against all maritime threats from the side of Ayeyarwady Region.