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LGBTQ+ TikTok Star Ko Tin Zaw Htwe Found Beaten to Death in Thailand Forest, One Suspect Arrested
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Ko Tin Zaw Htwe, a 25-year-old transgender TikTok creator from Myanmar known online as Ayeyarwaddy Ma or Irrawaddy Ma, was found dead in a forested area of Mae Sot district, Thailand, on January 20, 2026. Mae Sot, a border town with a large Myanmar migrant community, is where Htwe had been living amid ongoing unrest in his home country.
Htwe had built a following of over 900,000 on TikTok through videos featuring dancing, stylish outfits, product reviews, and lifestyle content that openly celebrated his identity as a queer creator. His content provided visibility and inspiration for LGBTQ+ people in Southeast Asia, where such voices often face challenges.
On January 18 or 19, Htwe received a late-night distress call via social media from someone asking for help and left his accommodation alone, never to return. His body was discovered the next day, January 20, facedown in a grassy area under a large tree in Pha Thong village by a local who alerted authorities.
Police reported severe head injuries, multiple stab wounds including to the neck, and signs of a violent struggle, with his trousers pulled down and a blood-stained wooden stick nearby believed to be the murder weapon. Items at the scene included an empty alcohol bottle, snacks, a handbag, cosmetics, a bank book, and condoms, while his jewelry and mobile phone were missing. Investigators believe the attack was premeditated, possibly involving a planned meeting that turned violent, with robbery and targeted violence as potential motives.
Thai authorities have arrested one suspect and are hunting at least two more believed to be involved in luring Htwe to the remote location. The investigation continues with forensic analysis ongoing.
News of Htwe's death prompted an outpouring of grief across social media, with fans mourning the loss of a joyful figure who encouraged self-expression among LGBTQ+ audiences. Friends described him as "so pure" and "kind-hearted." Comments on his final TikTok video, posted the day before he disappeared, filled with heartbreak, with users noting his role in giving confidence to be oneself.
Thousands attended Htwe's funeral in Mae Sot on January 24, 2026, including family, friends, and followers carrying large photographs of the influencer, with his sister visibly emotional. The tragedy has heightened concerns about the safety of LGBTQ+ individuals, especially migrant creators in border regions facing political instability and online vulnerabilities. Police urge anyone with information to come forward as the case remains active.
