Following the transfer of the head of the General Secretary’s Office, Padoh Thaw Thi was appointed as a Senior Officer, taking on greater responsibilities within the KNU's central administration. He continued in this role until the fall of Manerplaw in 1995, a pivotal moment in the history of the Karen resistance movement.
After the fall of Manerplaw, the KNU headquarters was relocated to Sa Khan Thay in Dooplaya District. Padoh Thaw Thi remained there, continuing his service to the organization for the next fifteen years. In 2010, he returned to the KNU Headquarters to work in the General Secretary’s Office, where he served under the leadership of the late Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan, one of the most respected figures in the Karen struggle.
Throughout his career, Padoh Thaw Thi has held a number of important leadership positions within the KNU. During the 13th KNU Congress, he was elected as a Standing Committee Member. At the 14th Congress, he became a permanent Central Committee Member. The 15th Congress saw him elected as Joint General Secretary-1, a key leadership position within the organization. Although he was not elected at the 16th Congress, he continued serving the KNU through the Taxation Office. At the current 17th KNU Congress, he was once again entrusted with leadership responsibilities and was elected as Joint General Secretary-1.
In this podcast, Padoh Thaw Thi Bwe reflects on his remarkable journey through the Karen revolution, sharing personal experiences from decades of service within the KNU. He also offers rare insights into his years working alongside the late Padoh Mahn Sha, discusses the challenges and achievements of the Karen movement, and shares his perspectives on the current political situation in Myanmar and the future of the country.
Join us for an insightful conversation with one of the Karen revolution's most experienced and dedicated leaders. The conversation, which is in Burmese, is divided into four episodes (around 1hr listening time):
Episode 1 – Introduction, Childhood, Early Revolutionist: Why are we being divided and manipulated?
Episode 2 – Democratic Karen Buddhist Army, Peace process, General Bo Mya's message
Episode 3 – Engagements with prominent KNU leaders and Padoh Mahn Sha Lah Phan
Episode 4 – Karen education and message for youth
