In a town on the Myanmar-Thailand border, former military and police officers from Myanmar are learning new skills to create a future beyond the conflict they left behind. A group of defectors are being trained in repairing mobile phones, bicycles, e-bikes, and motorcycles as part of a vocational training program by People’s Goal, an advocacy group for military defectors. This program aims to provide hope and opportunities for those who have defected from Myanmar’s armed forces, many of whom face challenges securing work and accommodation in Thailand.
One of the participants, Ko Aye, a transgender man, had defected after the military coup in Myanmar in February 2021. He retrained as a medic with the country’s pro-democracy resistance movement but eventually fled to Thailand for safety and mental recuperation. Other defectors, like Naung Yoe, a former army major, also participate in the program and receive training alongside counselling and political education on democracy and human rights.
The training courses serve as a beacon for soldiers contemplating defection from Myanmar’s army, where thousands have defected or surrendered following the coup. While the organization cannot verify if former soldiers have been involved in war crimes, it offers support and skills training to help them transition to civilian life. The goal is to provide opportunities for defectors to provide for themselves and improve their lives, ultimately weakening the regime through defections and promoting justice for those who have committed crimes. Through vocational training and education, these defectors are rebuilding their lives and working towards a peaceful future beyond conflict.
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