Thant Zin Aung, a 25-year-old junta soldier from the Light Infantry Battalion (593) recently surrendered to the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and joined the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Thant Zin Aung surrendered to the 5th Brigade of the KNLA with one MA-3 assault rifle, 170 rounds of ammunition and one grenade, according to a KNLA report on 2 September.

It is reported that the soldier was awarded with 2,000,000 Kyat.

“While serving in the terrorist Military Council, junta officers unjustly oppressed and discriminated against us. When going to the front line, there is not enough food for us. Most of the junta officers can eat as much as they want. We just ate one meal a day. I couldn't take it anymore, so I decided to leave my battalion,” Thant Zin Aung explained.