Tanintharyi Region
Coastal Myanmar strip with offshore gas fields and stalled Dawei megaproject facing post-coup investment collapse.
Tanintharyi Region stretches along Myanmar's southern coast—a narrow strip bordering Thailand where offshore gas fields, coastal tourism potential, and Dawei deep-sea port project offered development opportunities before the 2021 coup.
Offshore natural gas production in the Yadana and Yetagun fields generated export revenue, primarily through pipelines to Thailand. The Dawei Special Economic Zone, a joint project with Thailand, promised industrial development and port facilities. Beach tourism at Myeik Archipelago attracted modest visitor numbers.
Following the coup, international pressure targeted gas revenues. Western companies divested; some production continued under different arrangements. The Dawei project stalled as investors withdrew. Tourism collapsed entirely.
The biological pattern is resource-curse dynamics: Tanintharyi's hydrocarbon wealth attracted international investment that became liability after the coup, with development projects abandoned and revenues contested.