The Traitor: How Saw Chit Thu Turned the Ethnic Struggle into a Criminal Empire
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has sanctioned Saw Chit Thu, a former Karen National Union (KNU) officer turned militia warlord, for his central role in human trafficking, cyber scams, and transnational crime through his control of the Karen National Army (KNA). This action underscores not only U.S. resolve but also the urgent need to differentiate true ethnic movements from military-controlled proxies in Burma.
FROM KNU COMMAND TO BETRAYAL
Saw Chit Thu began his career as a ranking officer within the KNU, the historic resistance movement fighting for Karen autonomy against the Burman-dominated military regime. The KNU, founded in 1947, long held territory and popular support among Karen communities across Kayin State.
However, in 1994, Saw Chit Thu defected from the KNU alongside other disgruntled Buddhist leaders to form the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), accusing the Christian-dominated KNU leadership of marginalization. While the split was couched in religious terms, it was heavily manipulated by Burma’s military, which secretly backed the DKBA to weaken Karen unity.
Later, in 2009, Saw Chit Thu and his DKBA faction accepted integration into the Myanmar military’s Border Guard Force (BGF) system, forming what became BGF Battalion 999. This force was directly controlled by the Burmese junta, ending any pretense of Karen resistance.
This was a complete betrayal of the KNU’s mission: fighting for Karen rights and independence.
Today’s KNA (Karen National Army)—led by Saw Chit Thu—is a rebranded version of BGF 999, still serving the junta’s interests, not the Karen people.
COMPLICIT IN MASS EXPLOITATION: CYBER SCAMS & TRAFFICKING
With territory in Shwe Kokko, near the Thai border, Saw Chit Thu transformed Karen land into a haven for transnational crime:
He leased land to Chinese and Taiwanese crime syndicates.
Built and secured scam compounds using militia fighters.
Facilitated the trafficking of tens of thousands of foreign nationals into forced labor.
Extracted millions in kickbacks from illicit operations.
His sons, Saw Htoo Eh Moo and Saw Chit Chit, ran operations involving logistics, intimidation, and financial laundering. These crimes were so flagrant that Thailand, Interpol, and now the United States have identified his group as a regional threat.
U.S. SANCTIONS: A BLOW AGAINST CRIMINAL POWER
The U.S. Treasury sanctions, announced May 5, 2025, froze all U.S.-linked assets of Saw Chit Thu, his sons, and the KNA, and banned any U.S. citizen or company from conducting business with them. This follows:
UK sanctions in 2023
EU sanctions in 2024
Thai media reports suggest arrest warrants may be issued.
🔥 This global action is a landmark move to isolate Karen military proxies who masquerade as ethnic leaders but serve the junta and foreign syndicates.
WHY THIS MATTERS TO THE KAREN PEOPLE
Karen activists, youth, and elders reject Saw Chit Thu’s claims of leadership. He is seen as:
A traitor to the KNU, the original guardian of Karen self-determination.
A puppet of the Burmese generals, especially Min Aung Hlaing, who personally praised Saw Chit Thu in 2022.
A warlord enriching himself while the Karen people suffer from displacement, airstrikes, and poverty.
The real KNU and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) continue to fight for independence alongside other ethnic groups. Meanwhile, the KNA collaborates with the junta, often attacking these resistance forces under the guise of “ethnic autonomy.”
MOVING FORWARD: RECOGNIZE THE RIGHT REPRESENTATIVES
The international community must:
Distinguish between junta proxies and legitimate ethnic governments, like the Kawthoolei Government.
Pressure ASEAN and Thailand to stop legitimizing military-backed militias like the KNA.
Ensure that aid, support, and diplomatic recognition go to those who represent the will of the ethnic people, not those who betray it for profit.
CONCLUSION
Saw Chit Thu’s journey from KNU officer to junta warlord is not just a personal fall—it’s a warning about how the Burmese military manipulates ethnic divisions to maintain power. The U.S. Treasury’s actions expose his criminal empire, and justice will only be complete when the true voice of the Karen people is restored and heard.
REFERENCES
Reuters – U.S. Sanctions on Myanmar Warlord
AP News – Karen Militia Backed Cyber Crime
The Irrawaddy – Saw Chit Thu’s Business Empire
