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Thai media reported that Somporn Pengkham, director of the CHIA Platform and lead researcher of a project on strengthening environmental health literacy through citizen science, announced the findings on May 3, 2026, with support from the Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI). Somporn said laboratory tests at Chiang Mai University’s Environmental Science Research Centre found arsenic and lead contamination above standard…

The junta has restricted independent media operations, arrested, imprisoned, and intimidated journalists in various ways, with the situation worsening each year, the IPCM reported. “The media profession is more dangerous than ever. Despite the challenges, media workers will continue to uphold the public’s right to access information and to know the truth,” said IPCM spokesperson U Toe Zaw Latt. According…

Following a meeting with several armed groups at the Infantry Battalion 275 base, the junta issued an eight-point statement aimed at tightening control over weapons and regulating armed presence in the town. The directives stated that armed members entering the town must wear the full uniform of the group they represent—without mixing uniforms, badges or insignia from multiple organizations—and must…

Around 100 troops from Light Infantry Division 22, based in Hpa-An, Karen State’s capital, have joined Light Infantry Battalions 545 and 546 in Kyondoe to man checkpoints along the route, including Nyinyartharlin, Ngartaing, Khontaing, Koetiang, and Tadakyo, according to locals. “This morning, soldiers have been coming around checking places to set up guard posts in yards along the highway. They…

Except for the jetty at Thayettaw Village near the Gyaing River Bridge, the junta and the DKBA splinter unit led by Bo Bi closed all other crossings—including Kanni, Nyaungyeikthar, and Hngetpyawtaw. A Kyondoe resident said tolls are collected from passengers using the ferry at the only remaining open jetty. “Kanni, Nyaungyeikthar, and Hngetpyawtaw jetties are all closed right now. The…

In mid-April, during Myanmar’s traditional Thingyan water festival, the junta intensified airstrikes in parts of the Karen National Union (KNU)’s Kawthoolei region, causing civilian casualties and damaging civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, homes, and religious buildings, according to a KWO statement dated April 21. “The junta deliberately chose a time when families were joyfully celebrating to carry out brutal attacks.…

According to Thai media agencies, Sihasak was scheduled to visit Naypyidaw on April 22 to meet the coup leader and discuss bilateral relations. In the open letter dated April 21, Karen organizations expressed concern that the visit could be seen as conferring legitimacy on the junta, which seized power through illegitimate means. Karen organizations urged Sihasak to reconsider his planned…

Previously, Thailand allowed legally registered and taxed vehicles to cross the border even if the current owner’s name did not match the registration documents. However, since the Songkran festival, authorities have tightened the measures, drivers operating in border areas said. “Thailand no longer allows vehicles to cross if the name on the ownership registration does not match the current owner,…

Between April 10 and 16, the junta carried out day-and-night airstrikes on four villages in Mutraw District, killing 4 civilians, injuring 14 others, and destroying homes, clinics, schools, and religious buildings. On April 20, two Karen civil society groups (CSOs) issued a statement calling for increased international action against the junta. “Our country’s situation is different from that of Iran…

Telecom scam operators are rapidly constructing new buildings in Thaybawboe Village and surrounding areas under the control of the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA). “Construction of new buildings began about a month ago, and work is still ongoing. Some structures have already been completed, and the pace of construction is very fast. There are two main construction sites: one at…