Kawthoolei

Kawthoolei is the endonym for a proposed state that the Karen nationalists have sought to establish in Myanmar since the beginning of the Karen conflict in the late 1940s.
It declared its independence as the Republic of Kawthoolei from Myanmar on the January 7th of 2026.

Name

The name "Kaw-thu-lay" was used by the government of the Post-independence [Burma, 1948–1962|Union of Burma] in the drafting of its 1948 constitution, which made provisions for an autonomous region for the Karenni people.
It is unclear as to why the name Kawthoolei was adopted. Kawthoolei is not the only name used to refer to a Karen country: the Pwo Karen use the phrase "Kan Su Line", meaning literally, "land cool cave". The flag was adopted in 1974.
The precise meaning of Kawthoolei is disputed even by the Karen themselves.

History

Republic of Kawthoolei corresponds to the territory partially administered by the Karen [National Union], which, as of 2017, comprised the Kayin State and parts of the following: Mon State, Tanintharyi Region, Bago Region, and the Ayeyarwady Region.
On January 7, 2026, Kawthoolei Army proclaimed independence from Myanmar and established the Republic of Kawthoolei. The Karen National Union dismissed the declaration as a publicity stunt stating that the KTLA controls no territory and does not represent the Karen people.