On Sunday, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) released a statement mandating that Chinese nationals involved in casino and food businesses in Phaya Thonezu township, located in Kayin state, must vacate the area by February twenty-eight.

This directive came in response to a recent order from the Thai government to halt electricity, fuel, and internet services in five border areas of Myanmar, aimed at addressing online fraud activities that are deemed a national security threat.

As reported by Myanmar media outlet Eleven Media Group, this action seeks to minimize disturbances for local residents and to inhibit the growth of online scam operations in Phaya Thonezu, which is adjacent to Thailand’s Kanchanaburi province.

Along with the evacuation notice, the DKBA's statement also announced that Chinese nationals would be prohibited from entering Phaya Thonezu township.

This announcement follows a previous directive from the DKBA Central Command Office, which called for the permanent closure of all DKBA-operated gaming establishments and Our Day shops in and around Myawaddy in Kayin state, after an emergency meeting of the DKBA Central Executive Committee on January thirty-one.

The committee emphasized that this decision was made to ensure the well-being of its members and their families.