Moei River

The Moei River (Thai: แม่น้ำเมย, RTGS: Maenam Moei, IPA: [mɛ̂ːnáːm mɤːj]), also known as the Thaungyin River (Burmese: သောင်ရင်းမြစ်; S'gaw Karen: သူမွဲကျိ) is a tributary of the Salween River. Unlike most rivers in Thailand, the Moei River flows north in a northwest direction. It originates in Phop Phra District, Tak Province, flowing then from south to north across Mae Sot, Mae Ramat, and Tha Song Yang Districts, finally entering the Salween River within the limits of Sop Moei District of Mae Hong Son Province. The river is 327 kilometres (203 mi) long.

Moei River Thaungyin River
Moei River from the Thai border looking at Myanmar
Native name	แม่น้ำเมย (Thai) သောင်ရင်းမြစ် (Burmese)
Location
Country	Thailand, Burma
State	Tak Province, Mae Hong Son Province
District	Phop Phra, Mae Sot, Mae Ramat, Tha Song Yang, Sop Moei
City	Mae Sot
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Thanon Thongchai Range, Tak Province, Thailand
• coordinates	16°29′5″N 98°51′25″E
Mouth	Salween River
• location	Sop Moei, Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand
• coordinates	17°47′9″N 97°44′33″E
• elevation	76 m (249 ft)
Length	327 km (203 mi)
Basin features
Tributaries
• right	Yuam River

The Yuam River joins its left bank only 7 kilometres (4 mi) before its confluence with the Salween. Many fish species inhabit its waters, including the giant river catfish.^[1]

International border

The Moei River forms a portion of the border between Thailand and Myanmar.

The river is the scene of clashes between the Tatmadaw and Karen militias.^[2] Often Karen people cross the river either in order to enter Thailand as refugees or to go back to Burma.^[3]

Flow of refugees increased as fighting in Burma intensified in 2024.^[4][5][6]