The destruction of the Gokteik Viaduct, a historic railway bridge in Myanmar’s Shan State, has become a stark symbol of the intensifying civil war that continues to ravage the country. On August 24, 2025, Myanmar’s military junta reported that the 102-meter-tall structure, once the world’s highest railway trestle, was destroyed in an attack they attribute to anti-coup armed groups. The incident, which saw the iconic bridge’s steel framework partially collapse, underscores the deepening conflict between the junta and opposition forces, as well as the devastating toll on the nation’s infrastructure and civilian life.
A Historic Landmark Lost to Conflict
Built in 1901 during British colonial rule, the Gokteik Viaduct served as a critical rail link connecting Mandalay to northern Shan State. Beyond its strategic importance, the bridge was a tourist attraction, drawing visitors with its dramatic height and scenic location. Its destruction marks not only a logistical setback but also the loss of a cultural and historical landmark. According to a statement from the military junta, the bridge was bombed and destroyed by groups including the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the People’s Defence Forces, key players in the resistance against the junta since the military coup in February 2021.
However, the TNLA has countered these claims, asserting that the damage was caused by the junta itself. Lway Yay Oo, a spokesperson for the TNLA, stated on August 24, 2025, “The Myanmar army tried to bomb our bases this morning by using drones. They bombed our troops, but their bomb also hit Gokteik bridge.” Social media footage, verified by international outlets on the same day, confirmed the partial collapse of the bridge’s structure, though the exact cause remains disputed amid the fog of war. 
Escalating Violence and Contradictory Narratives
The destruction of the Gokteik Viaduct comes amid heightened fighting in Shan State, particularly in the towns of Nawnghkio and Kyaukme, near the bridge. The junta has been attempting to reclaim territory lost to ethnic armed organizations and pro-democracy guerrillas, who have gained ground in recent years. The military’s spokesperson, Zaw Min Tun, claimed in a video statement to media that opposition forces had “exploded [the bridge] with mines” framing the incident as a deliberate act of sabotage. This narrative, however, is challenged by the TNLA’s account of errant drone strikes, highlighting the difficulty of establishing truth in Myanmar’s chaotic conflict zone.
The civil war, sparked by the 2021 coup that ousted the democratically elected government, has pitted the military against a broad coalition of resistance groups. Ethnic armed organizations like the TNLA, representing the Ta’ang people of Shan State, have allied with newer pro-democracy militias under the banner of the People’s Defence Forces. The conflict has spread across much of the country, with fighting reported in regions far beyond Shan State, including Kayah State in the southeast.
Broader Impacts on Civilians and Infrastructure
The Gokteik Viaduct is just one of many casualties of Myanmar’s civil war, which has displaced millions and crippled the nation’s infrastructure. In Kayah State, the junta claimed a military victory on August 19, 2025, announcing the capture of Demoso township after a 16-day battle, as reported by state-run media. Yet, local accounts paint a less conclusive picture. Lynn Hlang, a 36-year-old resident of the area, described the persistent fear of violence, saying on August 18, 2025, “The fighting is close and I’m always concerned for my family whenever I hear explosions or heavy gunfire.” Over 130,000 people have been displaced in Kayah State alone, according to verified local reports, a figure that reflects the staggering human cost of the conflict.
Trade routes, vital to Myanmar’s economy, have also been disrupted. The Myawaddy bridge, a key border crossing with Thailand that handles over US$120 million (~4.2 billion Thai Baht) in monthly trade, was closed on August 19, 2025, in an apparent effort by the junta to cut off funding to opposition groups. This closure, corroborated by Thai customs data, has further strained an already fragile economy, exacerbating shortages and hardship for civilians. One local, identified only as “Caroline”, captured the pervasive anxiety, stating on August 20, 2025, “We’re worried and stressed, especially in the nighttime because we don’t sleep.”
Junta’s Controversial Election Plans
Amid the violence, the military junta has announced plans for a nationwide election starting December 28, 2025, a move widely criticized as an attempt to legitimize its rule. The election follows a preparatory census that failed to reach nearly 40% of Myanmar’s population, according to state-run media reports. The National Unity Government, an exiled opposition group representing the ousted civilian administration, condemned the plan, declaring on August 25, 2025, “The terrorist military group is attempting to stage an illegitimate and fraudulent election to sustain its grip on power.”
The junta’s military operations, including the reported capture of Demoso township, appear to be part of a broader strategy to secure key areas ahead of the vote. However, ongoing violence and widespread displacement cast serious doubt on the feasibility of holding a credible election. Analysts suggest that such moves are less about democratic process and more about projecting control in the face of mounting resistance. The destruction of infrastructure like the Gokteik Viaduct, whether by opposition forces or junta missteps, further undermines any semblance of stability necessary for such an undertaking.
Regional and International Implications
Myanmar’s civil war is not just a domestic tragedy; it has significant implications for the broader Southeast Asian region. The closure of trade routes like the Myawaddy bridge affects neighboring Thailand, disrupting bilateral commerce and raising concerns about border security. Moreover, the displacement crisis continues to spill over, with thousands of refugees seeking safety in Thailand and other adjacent countries. Earlier this year, the Thai Air Force sent two F-16s to intercept a Myanmar Yak-130 bomber after detecting it near the Thai border. The Thai Air Force said the Yak-130 dropped four bombs on the Karen National Liberation Army near the Thai border, in Myawaddy, approximately one kilometre from the Thai border. The international community, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has struggled to broker peace, with diplomatic efforts repeatedly stymied by the junta’s intransigence and the fragmented nature of the opposition.
The Gokteik Viaduct’s destruction also serves as a potent metaphor for the broader unraveling of Myanmar’s social and economic fabric. Once a symbol of colonial engineering and connectivity, the bridge now lies in ruins, much like the hopes for a swift resolution to the conflict. The competing narratives around its demise—whether a deliberate act of sabotage or collateral damage from junta strikes—mirror the larger struggle for truth and accountability in a country where information is often weaponized.
A Future Uncertain
As Myanmar’s civil war grinds on, the loss of landmarks like the Gokteik Viaduct is a grim reminder of what is at stake. Beyond the physical destruction, the conflict continues to erode the foundations of civilian life, from access to basic services to the ability to live without fear. The junta’s push for an election, set against a backdrop of violence and displacement, raises questions about the prospects for genuine reconciliation or reform.
For now, the people of Myanmar bear the heaviest burden, caught between a military determined to cling to power and resistance groups fighting for a return to democracy. As the rubble of the Gokteik Viaduct settles in Shan State, the path to peace remains as fractured as the bridge itself, with no clear resolution in sight.
