Junta Designates Strategic Naval Radar Site Thameehla Island as Marine National Park, Vastly Expanding Restricted Waters
The Myanmar military junta has reclassified Thameehla Island—home to a critical naval radar station—as a “Marine National Park,” significantly expanding the restricted offshore zone from 217.6 acres to over 12,000 acres, according to official announcements.
On March 17, the junta-controlled Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation issued Notification No. 18/2026. Invoking Section 10(a) of the Conservation of Biodiversity and Protected Areas Law, the ministry expanded the protected area from its original 217.6-acre wildlife sanctuary to a total of 12,114.60 acres, effectively placing 11,897 acres of the surrounding sea under strict control.
“Calls to designate this as a marine national park have existed for years. The sudden move now is likely a strategic cover to upgrade the naval facilities near Hainggyikyun,” said a source familiar with the island’s military infrastructure.
Located in Ngaputaw Township, Pathein District, Ayeyarwady Region, Thameehla Island (historically known as Diamond Island) sits at the mouth of the Ngawun River, six nautical miles from the Mawdinzun Pagoda. It is a vital nesting ground for sea turtles, leading locals to call it “Turtle Island.”
The island has suffered severe environmental degradation; once five miles wide, it has shrunk to just two miles due to erosion caused by sand mining and unregulated fishing. Consequently, only two out of five original turtle nesting coves remain.
Strategically, the junta has constructed a naval radar station on the island’s highest peak and strictly prohibits civilian tourism.
“The expansion of the sea area appears intended to keep fishing boats and outsiders away from the radar site,” the source added. “Previously, only about ten soldiers guarded the island, but the troop presence has increased significantly. As the junta loses territory in Rakhine, they seem to be reinforcing the Ayeyarwady coastline to protect their naval interests.”
The expansion comes as the junta faces major territorial losses to the Arakan Army (AA) in nearly all of Rakhine State. In response, the military has been commissioning numerous new warships. Pro-junta figures, including former officer U Hla Swe (also known as Bullet Hla Swe), have recently suggested that a post-election government might declare a “D-Day” offensive to retake Rakhine.