Mae Sot, Thailand – A popular Myanmar TikTok influencer, Ko Tin Zaw Htwe, known online as “Ayeyarwady Ma” or “Irrawaddy Ma,” was discovered dead in a forested area in Thailand’s Tak Province, authorities confirmed.
The 25-year-old’s body was found on Tuesday, January 20th, 2026, in a grassy area beneath a large tree in the Mae Sot district, near the Thai-Myanmar border. Local media reports indicate that Htwe had been beaten to death, with visible signs of assault. A villager herding animals reportedly discovered the body and alerted police.
Ko Tin Zaw Htwe had built a significant following on TikTok, amassing over 800,000 followers. He was widely recognized as an LGBTQ+ figure and content creator, specializing in lifestyle, dance, and entertainment videos that resonated particularly within Myanmar’s diaspora and the LGBTQ community. He was a migrant living in Mae Sot, a border town that hosts many Myanmar nationals fleeing conflict or seeking work in Thailand.
Thai police have launched a murder investigation. According to reports from local outlets and international coverage, authorities arrested one suspect in connection with the death. Some sources indicate that police are still searching for two additional suspects believed to have lured Htwe to the secluded location. Details of the motive remain unclear, though preliminary accounts suggest the incident may have followed a late-night call for help that Htwe responded to before going missing.
The case has drawn widespread attention on social media platforms amplifying the news and prompting discussions about safety for migrant influencers and LGBTQ+ individuals in the region.
The investigation remains ongoing, with Thai authorities yet to release further details on the suspects or potential motives. Friends, followers, and fellow creators have expressed shock and grief online over the loss of the young influencer.
This is a developing story. More updates are expected as the police inquiry continues.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
