(Photo Credits: Screengrab from Ko Tin Zaw Htwe’s Official Facebook Account)
Beloved TikTok creator Ko Tin Zaw Htwe was found beaten to death in a forest in western Thailand on Tuesday last week. The 25-year-old influencer — known for his vibrant lifestyle, fashion, and dance videos — has now been laid to rest in a funeral attended by thousands, even as authorities continue investigating his brutal killing, People reports.
Htwe, a Myanmar national with a massive following on TikTok (nearly one million followers), was discovered on January 20 in a wooded area of Mae Sot district, Tak Province, near the Thailand–Myanmar border. Local police responding to a report found his body beneath a large tree, showing signs of severe trauma consistent with being struck by a hard object. A blood-stained wooden stick, believed to be the weapon used in the attack, was found nearby, as well as several personal items—including his bag, bank book, and condoms—scattered at the scene, while his cellphone and jewelry were reportedly missing.
Authorities quickly launched an investigation into the killing, and one suspect has been arrested in connection with the crime, though officials have not publicly released details about the individual or any charges as of now. Police say the probe is ongoing, with detectives examining whether the attack was premeditated and connected to robbery or other motives.
Friends and investigators believe Htwe may have been lured into the forest under false pretenses. According to reports, he left his home around midnight on January 18 after receiving a call via social media from someone asking for help — and never returned.
On January 24, Htwe’s funeral was held at a cemetery in Mae Sot, drawing thousands of mourners, including family, friends, and fans. Many attendees dressed in black and carried large photographs of the late influencer, turning the somber procession into a powerful tribute to his life and creativity. His sister, Ye Ye Ae, was seen overcome with grief during the emotional procession.
Fans around the world have continued to pour out condolences on his final social media posts. In the comments section of his last TikTok upload — a video posted on January 19, just a day before his disappearance — followers shared these heartfelt tributes according to People: “It hurts my heart how quickly a human life is taken away 🥺😰😥,” wrote one follower, while another commented, “I’m sorry, may God bless you,” and a third said, “May you live a happy and beautiful life in the next life. RIP.”
Meanwhile, friends have described Htwe as “so pure” and “kind-hearted,” emphasizing how his joy and warmth made him a beloved figure not just within the LGBTQ+ community but among fans of his everyday content. Read here for more information about this news.
Rest in power, Ko Tin Zaw Htwe. May his family find strength during these trying times, and may justice be served without delay.
Sounds like some hateful looser, lured him. RIP.
HATE and HOMOPHOBIA won’t BE TOLERATED and TURNING the other CHEEK to those ASSHOLES is ANCIENT HISTORY!!!! The LGBTQ community needs to DEFEND themselves and ALL their “family” brothers and sisters and MAKE the ONES who try to HURT US pay 10X for their CRIMES!!!!! 🙁
Look at ALL the COWARD CLOSET cases that DON’T agree with STANDING up for your SELF WORTH!!! Couldn’t be MORE PATHETIC than THEY ARE!!!! 🙁 LOSERS ~~~~~
Inexcusable.
Sad.
And tough for those who engaged with a parasocial relationship with him.
individuality comes at a price…sometimes, at a deadly price
I think that younger gays are sometimes so comfortable being “out and proud” they don’t think about the possibility of people hurting them.
Well guys like Trump are gonna make sure to keep such hate alive across the board from sexuality to skin color sadly & it’s never confined to just one spot or area….
Right…because he has Orange Man Bad superpowers! Grow up. Htwe’s personal effects, including a shoulder bag, cosmetics, bank book, and condoms were found, though his jewelry and cellphone were missing. Anyone that goes out for a likely hookup with strangers in a forest is asking for trouble. In a very poor country like Thailand, it was probably a robbery gone bad. He didn’t deserve to die but how about meeting at a cafe, bar or some public place next time. I little common sense can be the difference between life or death no matter who you prefer in your bed.
I have to say, there’s a lot of truth in that, but I tend to ‘think’ like a criminal, which means “street smart.”
“Street smarts” for sure. That’s how people get what they want. Look at Greenland. It was in the news for weeks. It’s an island three times larger than Texas, with only 87,000 inhabitants, and much when it comes to minerals. It was sitting vulnerable with little military to protect it from Russia and China. There is a US base, but it’s not large. The President kept saying repeatedly over months that he wanted to obtain it. So what happened? Denmark (Greenland’s parent country) sent its military. NATO countries sent military. Did the President want Greenland? No. He wanted to keep… Read more »
Exactly. I’m 72. I grew up in a very small town before the internet – obviously – and knew nothing about being gay except that being gay wasn’t safe. Thankfully, I also knew I wasn’t “street smart” so I was very cautious about where I went and who I was with.
President Trump has appointed guys like Bessent, Fabrizio, Morse, Grenell, and Helberg to positions in his Administration. All of them are Gay.
Women and individuals of different races are in that Administration as well.
Numerous LGTBQ+ activists, celebrities, and political commentators endorse him.
Who’s keeping “such hate alive”?
Marco Rubio is the highest appointed minority as he is Cubano and the 72nd United States Secretary of State.
Yeah, being that I live in Soflo for the last 23yrs., I think he’s selling South America out, too. I actually love Ana Navarro of Soflo (Rep), on “The View” so it’s not like ALL of them/y’all are bad, not saying that.
Sir, Marco Rubio is not selling out anyone or anything. He is a Blanco Cubano and is quite familiar with what is going on. I have listen to him on many occasions and he appears level headed and realistic.
We, agree then, to disagree. Fair enough.
Kudos! It’s refreshing to see a dose of sanity injected into this hotbed of TDS
More, J. Edgar, fucking Hoover, type bastards, projecting, obviously. I hate that shit!
…as well as several personal items—including his bag, bank book, and condoms—scattered at the scene, while his cellphone and jewelry were reportedly missing.
Who – in God’s Name – agrees to meet a stranger in a forest/woods and carries a bank book and condoms?
A couple of senseless deaths recently.
Who goes to an area where law enforcement is actively removing human traffickers, drug dealers, robbers, and murders? Who claims “peaceful protest” lets you use a car against law enforcement? Who brings a loaded gun and two clips full ammunition when you damaged a law enforcement vehicle two weeks before?
The right to peacefully protest, that’s a given.
The right to carry a registered gun, that’s a given.
The right to be sensible and keep yourself safe, that’s a given too.
The right to be stupid? That’s a given but remember cameras are everywhere.
I don’t believe he was there to hook up for sex. Maybe he was lowered there unexpectedly or was simply walking through. I used to take shortcuts through the woods all the time when I was younger. And what’s so unusual about a gay man these days carrying a bag with his personal items in it?