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Khaing Thu Kha (Burmese: ခိုင်သုခ; pronounced [kʰaɪŋ θu kʰa]; born 1970) is an Arakanese politician who is the spokesperson and the news and information officer of the Arakan Army (AA), an armed group advocating for the autonomy and self-determination of the Rakhine people in Myanmar.^[1][2][3][4]

Khaing Thu Kha was born on 13 May 1970 in Rakhine State, Myanmar.^[5] Little is publicly known about his early life before joining the armed resistance, but he became involved in political and military activities in his early 20s.^[6] His commitment to the Rakhine nationalist cause led him to join the Arakan Army (Provisional), a precursor to the current Arakan Army, on January 8, 1991. This formation was initially headquartered in the territories controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU) in Karen State.^[7]

During this period, Khaing Thu Kha, along with other recruits, sought to establish a foothold in Rakhine State.^[8] However, his efforts faced numerous challenges. In 1991 and 1992, he attempted to cross into Rakhine State via Bangladesh but was arrested by Bangladeshi authorities. In his first arrest, he was detained for two months and ten days. Following his second arrest, he was convicted on weapons charges and sentenced to five years in prison.^[9]

After his release from prison, Khaing Thu Kha joined the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) and its military wing, the Arakan Liberation Army (ALA).^[10] The ALP, which had been advocating for the rights of the Rakhine people, engaged in peace negotiations with the Myanmar government in April 2012. Khaing Thu Kha played a supporting role in these efforts, although the peace process yielded limited progress.^[11]

Disagreements within the ALP leadership ultimately led Khaing Thu Kha to distance himself from the group. These internal conflicts, coupled with dissatisfaction over the organization's approach, prompted him to align with other Rakhine nationalists.^[12]

In 2014, Khaing Thu Kha became a founding member of the modern Arakan Army, which emerged as a dominant force advocating for Rakhine autonomy.^[13] Alongside General Tun Myat Naing, the Arakan Army established a political wing known as the United League of Arakan (ULA). Khaing Thu Kha took on the role of the organization's chief spokesperson, responsible for communicating the group's goals, activities, and perspectives to the media and the public.^[14]

The Arakan Army has grown significantly in influence since its formation and has been involved in active conflicts with the Myanmar military.^[15] Khaing Thu Kha's role as a spokesperson has been critical in shaping the public narrative surrounding the group's activities and the broader Rakhine struggle for self-determination.^[16]