A planned peace prayer ceremony in Payathonzu, which was to be attended by senior monks, has been canceled due to security threats from armed groups, according to event organizers.  

The ceremony was scheduled to take place on July 6 at Haywun in Payathonzu. However, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), currently responsible for security in the area, faced pressure from the Karen National Union (KNLA) Brigade 6 and other armed groups opposing the event.  

Colonel Aye One of the DKBA, who was overseeing security, ultimately withdrew support, forcing the cancellation. "Despite our efforts, we could not guarantee safety, so the event had to be called off," said U Than Lwin Htun, who helped organize the ceremony alongside Thai-based peace advocacy groups.  

A group of senior monks traveling from Hpa-an to attend the ceremony were stopped at a checkpoint 12 miles before reaching Kyainseikkyi by KNLA forces. They were told that proceeding further could lead to clashes and were forced to turn back.  

Additionally, arrangements made by the Thai military and the Thai-Myanmar relations office to escort the monks to the San Kala Buri Mon Monastery in Thailand were also canceled.  

Although the prayer ceremony did not proceed, U Than Lwin Htun remarked that the incident was revealing:  

"Even though the peace prayer ceremony didn’t happen, its intended impact was still felt. The fact that a simple prayer event led by monks was blocked exposes exactly who and which groups are against peace."

A Facebook page called "We Love Payathonzu," purportedly representing local residents, posted a warning that if the ceremony proceeded, they would take "revolutionary action" against it.  

The post strongly condemned the event, calling it a "military-backed propaganda rally disguised as a peace prayer." It accused organizers of exploiting religion and destabilizing the town, which has remained relatively peaceful.  

The ceremony was set to feature prominent monks. Several Thai-based monks were also expected to attend.