Myawaddy: History
In 1997, the Thai–Myanmar Friendship Bridge opened across the Moei River connecting Myawaddy with Mae Sot. An additional border crossing, the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, was opened in 2019 to the north west to handle goods traffic.
On 6 August 2010, a bomb exploded in the car park of a crowded market in Myawaddy, killing two men and seriously injuring four others.
On 5 April 2024, during the Myanmar civil war, a combined force of PDF and KNLA fighters captured major military bases on the outskirts of the city. Nearly 500 junta troops surrendered, leaving junta forces in Myawaddy isolated and under pressure. On 10 April 2024, remaining junta forces withdrew from Myawaddy and retreated to the Thai border. The KNLA subsequently took control of the entire township. Later reports indicate the KNLA never took the entire town.
On 24 April, the town was recaptured by Junta forces, after the KNLA was forced to withdraw, after a heavy firefight.