(19 December 2025)
Esteemed people and Kayin ethnic brethren,
Today, 19 December 2025, the year 2765 of the Kayin Era and the first waxing day of Pyatho 1387 Myanmar Era, is the auspicious and significant Kayin National New Year Day, cherished by all Kayin brethren. On this occasion of the Kayin National New Year, I extend my greetings and sincerely wish all our ethnic national brethren, including the Kayin ethnic people and all citizens, physical and mental well-being, prosperity, and all auspicious blessings.
The Kayin people joyfully and delightfully celebrate their auspicious and significant New Year every year on the first waxing day of Pyatho. The State has officially recognized this day as a national public holiday for the entire country of Myanmar. The New Year’s Day is interpreted as a good and auspicious day. From the moment the old year ends and the Kayin New Year begins, it is believed that Kayin people will enter the New Year with renewed spirit, fresh energy, and enthusiasm.
Esteemed national brethren,
Although the ethnic nationalities living across the Republic of the Union of Myanmar have different customs and traditions, all ethnic groups have long lived together in harmony with a spirit of family and a Union spirit, valuing and respecting one another. Regardless of differences in birthplace, region, language, literature, culture, religion, and traditional customs, all ethnic nationalities have lived together, sharing the same land and water, and have cooperated in unity within the Union.
In accordance with the fact that the Kayin ethnic is one of the indigenous ethnic groups of Myanmar, they are living not only in Kayin State but also throughout the entire country. They are especially numerous in Mon State, Taninthayi Region, Bago Region, and Ayeyawady Region. Throughout history, the Kayin people have lived in unity and harmony with all other ethnic nationalities. During the period when the country fell under colonial rule, the Kayin people also took part in the struggle for national independence, joining hands with all ethnic groups and sacrificing their lives and blood with full patriotic spirit. History stands as witness to this.
Kayin State is located in the southeastern part of Myanmar and is endowed with natural resources teeming with rivers, streams, waterfalls, mountain ranges of scenic beauty, and lush green forests. The beauty of Mount Zwegabin stands as one of the most prominent landmarks in Kayin State. The cultural symbols representing the Kayin people are the frog drum and the buffalo horn.
The Kayin don dance is widely admired and is a distinctive cultural dance that is well known not only within the country but also abroad. All Kayin ethnic groups celebrate their traditional religious festivals according to designated seasons and longstanding cultural practices, including the New Year Festival, House Warming Ceremony, Harvest Feast Festival, Butterfly Summoning Festival, and the White Thread-Tying Ceremony in the month of Wagaung.
The Kayin people are naturally honest, humble, open-hearted, friendly, and peaceful. Likewise, they are courageous, straightforward, and highly faithful to their commitments. I would like to encourage the continued preservation and transmission of the Kayin language, literature, culture and arts, traditional customs, and historical heritage that have been safeguarded by their ancestors through successive generations.
Just as the Kayin people living throughout Myanmar preserve their traditions, all ethnic national brethren across the country should continue upholding their own noble customs. When everyone joins hands in unity and solidarity, the Union will remain cohesive and firmly established for the long term.
Esteemed ethnic national brethren,
After Myanmar regained independence, misunderstandings among ethnic national brethren—stemming from the divisive legacy left by colonial rule—caused armed conflicts in Kayin State, disrupting stability and peace up to the present day. Although successive governments have worked towards achieving durable nationwide peace, misguided ideas, narrow self-interests placed above the interests of the nation and all ethnic people, and selfish motivations have prolonged armed conflicts and acts of violence to this day. It is regrettable that these circumstances have caused various hardships and suffering for the people and all ethnic nationalities.
The Government and Tatmadaw, giving utmost priority to achieving and maintaining genuine internal peace which is the true essence of the nation have carried out efforts in line with the provisions of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). As a result, several ethnic armed groups participated, signed the agreement, and worked in cooperation. However, some groups, without proper understanding or careful consideration, continue to follow misguided paths. I would like to urge them to prioritize the interests of the nation and the people, and to walk along the path of peace. The Government and Tatmadaw always welcome dialogue for peace and reaffirm that the door remains open at all times.
The State will continue to make greater efforts amid challenges to ensure durable peace, the full rule of law, and sustainable development. In line with the objective of the National Defence and Security Council “To implement
multi-party democratic system, with the participation of the people, to ensure the success of multi-party democratic general election process and successfully moving towards wit the multi-party democratic system aspired by the entire people”, preparations are underway to hold successful elections. Emphasis will be placed on ensuring free and fair elections, enabling all eligible voters to cast their votes, and conducting elections with dignity. All ethnic national communities are encouraged to actively participate and support the success of the elections.
As the Government continues its efforts to ensure peace and development of the nation, it is also working to improve the basic socioeconomic conditions of citizens, promote good health, provide quality education, create employment opportunities, increase incomes for all, and reduce poverty. Since the development of the nation depends on the socio-economic progress of each individual, I would like to urge that efforts be made to ensure the advancement of every citizen’s socio-economic well-being, in line with the goals set for the country, including Kayin State, and to implement these efforts successfully.
In efforts to promote national economic development, projects related to education, healthcare, rule of law, and transportation infrastructure are being
implemented. When carrying out production activities, it is essential to focus on the development and success of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which form the foundation of the economy. If these enterprises are combined with technology to produce high-value products, they will bring greater benefits and further strengthen the national economy. Kayin State is rich in natural resources that provide a strong foundation for economic activities. If production and industrial enterprises can be successfully developed there, the socio-economic conditions of local ethnic communities will improve, regional development will advance, and the nation’s economic growth will receive significant support.
Esteemed national brethren,
I extended my best wishes with sending a message to the Kayin National New Year Day celebration that today, to achieve the necessary peace, rule of law, and socio-economic development in the country, all ethnic national communities, including the Kayin people of Kayin State, must work together in unity to implement these goals. In order to reduce armed conflicts and violent disturbances in their regions, including Kayin State, everyone should cooperate and work together. By doing so, all ethnic nationalities can help build the Union as a strong, disciplined, multi-party democratic system and a democracy-based federal state.
Senior General Thadoe Maha Thray Sithu
Thadoe Thiri Thudhamma Min Aung Hlaing
Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Chairman, State Security and Peace Commission
