Ko Tin Zaw Htwe (1999–2026), known online as Ayeyarwady Ma or Irrawaddy Ma, was a Myanmar TikTok creator who built a following of over 947,000 through vibrant dance videos, fashion content, and unfiltered glimpses into his daily life as an openly LGBTQ+ influencer. For many in Myanmar’s queer community—where visibility often carries risk—he represented something rare and valuable: the confidence to live authentically in public view.
His life ended tragically on January 20, 2026, when he was found beaten to death in a forest in Mae Sot district, Thailand, at just 25 years old. Authorities believe he was lured to the remote location through a distress call from someone he trusted, leading to a brutal attack that included severe head injuries and multiple stab wounds. Thai police arrested one suspect in connection with his murder, though investigators believe multiple perpetrators were involved.
What makes his story culturally significant extends beyond his social media following. Therefore, Ko Tin represented a generation of Southeast Asian LGBTQ+ creators navigating the tension between online visibility and real-world vulnerability—using digital platforms to claim space and build community while facing risks that more privileged creators in other regions rarely confront.
WHO WAS TIN ZAW HTWE?
Ko Tin Zaw Htwe occupied a unique position within Myanmar’s digital landscape. He was not merely a content creator seeking viral fame; he was one of the few openly LGBTQ+ Myanmar influencers who achieved mainstream visibility while maintaining authentic self-expression.
His content focused on three primary themes: fashion (showcasing stylish outfits and personal style evolution), dance (expressive performances to popular songs), and relationship content (featuring his partner in videos that normalized queer relationships for his audience). This combination created a persona that felt both aspirational and accessible—he presented a version of queer life that was joyful, confident, and unapologetically visible.
What distinguished him from other influencers was his willingness to be openly queer in a context where such visibility carries genuine social and sometimes legal risks. Myanmar’s LGBTQ+ community faces significant discrimination, and visibility can lead to harassment, violence, or social ostracism. Consequently, Ko Tin’s decision to build a public platform around his authentic identity represented courage beyond what audiences in more accepting regions might recognize.
His followers frequently described him as kind, emotionally generous, and someone who made others feel seen. One follower stated on social media: “He was not just a TikToker. He gave people confidence to be themselves”. This impact—helping others embrace their identities through his example—became his most significant contribution beyond entertainment value.
TIKTOK CREATOR TIN ZAW HTWE AGE – HOW OLD WAS HE?
Ko Tin Zaw Htwe was born in 1999 in Myanmar. He was 25 years old at the time of his death on January 20, 2026.
His youth makes his loss particularly devastating—he was building his platform, expanding his influence, and becoming an increasingly visible figure for Myanmar’s LGBTQ+ community when his life was cut short.
TIKTOK CREATOR TIN ZAW HTWE HEIGHT & APPEARANCE
While specific height measurements were not publicly documented, Ko Tin’s appearance was central to his online persona. His content showcased:
Fashion Sense: He consistently presented stylish, expressive outfits that blended contemporary fashion trends with personal flair, making fashion accessibility and self-expression key themes of his content.
Confident Presence: His videos displayed remarkable confidence and ease in front of the camera—dancing expressively, lip-syncing with theatrical flair, and presenting himself with the self-assurance that made him inspiring to followers questioning their own identities.
Expressive Performance Style: His dance content emphasized emotional expression and physical confidence rather than technical perfection, creating a relatable rather than intimidating presence.
His last social media update on January 19, 2026—just one day before his death—showed him lip-syncing to a popular song while showing off a new T-shirt, demonstrating the playful, accessible style that defined his online presence.
TIKTOK CREATOR TIN ZAW HTWE BIOGRAPHY / WIKI TABLE
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Ko Tin Zaw Htwe |
| Online Names | Ayeyarwady Ma, Irrawaddy Ma |
| Year of Birth | 1999 |
| Date of Death | January 20, 2026 |
| Age at Death | 25 Years Old |
| Birthplace | Myanmar |
| Nationality | Myanmar (Burmese) |
| Residence | Mae Sot, Tak Province, Thailand (border town) |
| Occupation | TikTok Content Creator, LGBTQ+ Influencer |
| TikTok Followers | 947,000+ |
| Content Focus | Fashion, Dance, Lifestyle, LGBTQ+ Visibility |
| Relationship Status | In a relationship (partner featured in content) |
| Cause of Death | Murder (beaten to death; investigation ongoing) |
| Legacy | Symbol of LGBTQ+ visibility and confidence in Myanmar |
EARLY LIFE AND BACKGROUND
Ko Tin Zaw Htwe was born in Myanmar in 1999, growing up during a period of significant political and social transition in the country. Myanmar (formerly Burma) experienced gradual opening during the 2010s following decades of military rule, though LGBTQ+ rights remained contested and discrimination remained common.
Details about his childhood, family background, and early experiences remain largely undocumented in public sources. This limited biographical information reflects a broader reality for many Southeast Asian LGBTQ+ creators—their public personas begin with their online presence rather than traditional media coverage or biographical documentation.
What is clear from his content and followers’ testimonials is that he developed confidence in his identity at a relatively young age, choosing to build a public platform around authentic self-expression rather than hiding his identity to avoid potential discrimination.
His decision to settle in Mae Sot, Thailand—a border town with a significant Myanmar migrant community—suggests he may have sought more freedom and safety than was available in Myanmar itself. Mae Sot has long served as a refuge for Myanmar migrants seeking economic opportunity or escaping political instability, providing a degree of social space not always available in Myanmar proper.
TIKTOK CREATOR TIN ZAW HTWE EDUCATION
No public information is available regarding Ko Tin Zaw Htwe’s formal education. His career as a content creator appears to have developed through self-directed learning about social media platforms, video production, and audience engagement rather than through formal training in media or communications.
This pattern is common among TikTok creators globally—many successful influencers develop their skills through experimentation and community feedback rather than through institutional education in digital media.
TIKTOK CREATOR TIN ZAW HTWE CAREER JOURNEY
Building a Platform: From Unknown to Nearly One Million Followers
Ko Tin began creating content on TikTok during the platform’s rapid expansion across Southeast Asia in the late 2010s and early 2020s. TikTok’s algorithm-driven discovery system allowed creators from marginalized communities—including LGBTQ+ individuals—to find audiences without requiring traditional media gatekeepers or institutional support.
His content strategy focused on three interconnected themes:
Fashion Content: He regularly showcased his personal style through outfit videos, fashion transitions, and styling content that demonstrated how self-expression through clothing could affirm identity and build confidence.
Dance Performances: His dance videos emphasized expressive movement and emotional connection to music rather than technical perfection, creating content that felt accessible and joyful rather than intimidating.
Relationship Visibility: He frequently featured his partner in videos, normalizing same-sex relationships for his predominantly Myanmar audience. This visibility was particularly significant given that same-sex relationships remain largely invisible in Myanmar mainstream media.
Becoming a Symbol for Myanmar’s LGBTQ+ Community
As his following grew beyond 900,000, Ko Tin’s influence extended beyond entertainment. For many young LGBTQ+ individuals in Myanmar and across Southeast Asia, his visibility represented possibility—proof that one could be openly queer and build a successful, joyful life.
Followers described him as emotionally generous and kind, someone who responded to messages and made his audience feel valued rather than merely consumed. This approach built genuine community rather than transactional following, making his death feel deeply personal to those who followed him.
His openness about his identity in a context where such visibility often leads to discrimination or violence represented courage that his followers recognized and celebrated. Consequently, he became more than an influencer—he became a symbol of self-acceptance for a community that rarely sees itself reflected in mainstream culture.
Final Content and Last Days
On January 19, 2026—just one day before his death—Ko Tin posted what would become his final TikTok video. In it, he lip-synced to a popular song while showing off a new T-shirt, displaying the playful energy that characterized his content.
According to police reports, he received a distress call late on January 19, requesting urgent help. Investigators believe the call came from someone he knew or had interacted with online, as he immediately left alone to meet them at a remote location.
He never returned home.
THE TRAGEDY: JANUARY 20, 2026
On January 20, 2026, at approximately 4:00 PM, Mae Sot Police Station received a report of a body found in a grassy area under a large tree in Pha Thong village, Mae Sot district, Tak Province, Thailand.
Police arrived to discover Ko Tin Zaw Htwe’s body. He had suffered severe head injuries and multiple stab wounds, including a deep wound to his neck. A blood-stained wooden stick was found near the scene, suspected to be the murder weapon.
The scene also contained beer bottles, snacks, and condoms, suggesting he had expected a social meeting rather than an attack. This evidence supports investigators’ theory that he was lured to the location by someone he trusted.
Investigation and Arrest
Police Colonel Rang Dawadung, Superintendent of Mae Sot Police Station, confirmed that one suspect was arrested in connection with Ko Tin’s death as of January 23, 2026. However, investigators believe multiple perpetrators were involved, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities suspect the attack was planned, with the distress call used specifically to lure Ko Tin to the remote forest location where he would be vulnerable.
As of January 25, 2026, the suspect’s identity has not been publicly released, and police continue investigating the motive behind the murder and searching for additional perpetrators.
TIKTOK CREATOR TIN ZAW HTWE FAMILY
| Relationship | Details |
| Parents | Not publicly disclosed |
| Siblings | Not publicly disclosed |
| Partner | In a relationship (partner featured in TikTok content; identity not publicly confirmed) |
| Residence | Mae Sot, Tak Province, Thailand (border town with Myanmar) |
Ko Tin maintained privacy regarding his family background. His partner appeared regularly in his TikTok content, but their identity and personal details were not publicly disclosed beyond their presence in videos.
This privacy around family details is common among LGBTQ+ creators from regions where family acceptance cannot be assumed—protecting family members from potential social consequences while still living authentically online.
TIKTOK CREATOR TIN ZAW HTWE NET WORTH
No reliable public information exists regarding Ko Tin Zaw Htwe’s net worth or specific income from content creation. However, context about TikTok creator earnings provides some framework:
TikTok Creator Fund: Creators with 900,000+ followers typically earn modest amounts through TikTok’s Creator Fund, though exact earnings depend on engagement rates and view counts.
Potential Brand Partnerships: Fashion-focused creators with substantial followings often earn income through brand collaborations and sponsored content, though documentation of Ko Tin’s specific brand relationships is not publicly available.
Cost of Living Context: Mae Sot, Thailand, has a relatively low cost of living compared to major urban centers, meaning successful content creation could provide sustainable income even without six-figure earnings.
Based on his consistent content production and substantial following, he likely earned enough to support himself through content creation, though he was not likely to have accumulated substantial wealth given his young age and the generally modest earnings of creators in Southeast Asian markets.
TIKTOK CREATOR TIN ZAW HTWE SOCIAL MEDIA
| Platform | Username | Followers | Content Focus |
| TikTok | @irrawaddyma (Ayeyarwady Ma) | 947,000+ | Fashion, dance, lifestyle, LGBTQ+ visibility |
| Not publicly documented | Unknown | Likely secondary platform to TikTok | |
| Other Platforms | Not publicly documented | Unknown | TikTok was his primary platform |
His TikTok presence was his primary platform and cultural contribution. After news of his death, fans flooded the comments of his final video with tributes, expressing grief and calling for justice.
ANALYTICAL SECTION: THE VULNERABILITY OF LGBTQ+ VISIBILITY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
Ko Tin Zaw Htwe’s murder illuminates a tragic paradox: digital platforms enable LGBTQ+ individuals to build community and claim visibility, but that same visibility can make them targets for violence in regions where queer identities remain stigmatized and unprotected.
Social media platforms like TikTok operate under the assumption that increased visibility is unambiguously positive—that being seen, celebrated, and building community represents progress. For creators in Western contexts with legal protections and broadly accepting cultures, this assumption largely holds true. However, for LGBTQ+ creators in Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa, visibility carries genuine risk.
Ko Tin’s death demonstrates how online presence can create real-world vulnerability. Investigators believe he was contacted by someone through social media—potentially someone he had interacted with previously—and lured to a location where he could be attacked. His trust, built through online connection, may have been weaponized against him.
This reality forces a difficult question: How should platforms balance enabling expression and community-building with protecting creators from the risks that visibility creates? There are no simple answers, but Ko Tin’s death suggests that platforms must consider safety implications beyond content moderation—thinking about how visibility itself can create danger for marginalized creators in hostile environments.
COMMUNITY RESPONSE AND LEGACY
The news of Ko Tin’s death sent shockwaves through Myanmar’s LGBTQ+ community and across social media platforms. Followers shared tributes, expressing how his content had made them feel seen, accepted, and hopeful.
One follower wrote: “I used to watch his videos to feel happy. This news does not feel real”. Another stated: “He was not just a TikToker. He gave people confidence to be themselves”.
His death has sparked conversations about the safety of LGBTQ+ influencers in Southeast Asia and the need for greater protection for marginalized communities both online and offline.
Many followers and activists are calling for justice, demanding that authorities conduct thorough investigations and hold all perpetrators accountable. His murder has become a rallying point for discussions about hate crimes, LGBTQ+ safety, and the need for legal protections for sexual minorities in the region.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who was Ko Tin Zaw Htwe?
He was a Myanmar TikTok creator known as Ayeyarwady Ma or Irrawaddy Ma, with over 947,000 followers. He created fashion, dance, and lifestyle content and was an openly LGBTQ+ influencer.
How old was Tin Zaw Htwe when he died?
He was 25 years old, born in 1999.
What happened to Ko Tin Zaw Htwe?
He was murdered on January 20, 2026, found beaten to death in a forest in Mae Sot, Thailand. Police believe he was lured to the location through a distress call.
Has anyone been arrested for his murder?
Yes, Thai police arrested one suspect as of January 23, 2026, though investigators believe multiple people were involved. The investigation is ongoing.
What was his TikTok username?
He was known as @irrawaddyma (Ayeyarwady Ma or Irrawaddy Ma).
Why was his death significant?
Beyond the tragedy itself, his murder highlights the risks faced by LGBTQ+ creators in Southeast Asia, where visibility can lead to targeted violence.
Where did he live?
He lived in Mae Sot, a Thai border town with a large Myanmar migrant community.
CONCLUSION
Ko Tin Zaw Htwe’s life, though tragically brief, represented something profoundly important: the courage to live authentically in a context where such authenticity carries genuine risk. Through his TikTok content, he created space for joy, self-expression, and visibility for Myanmar’s LGBTQ+ community—demonstrating that queer life could be vibrant, confident, and celebrated rather than hidden or ashamed.
His murder at age 25 is devastating not only for what was lost—a young life full of potential—but for what it reveals about the persistent dangers faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Southeast Asia. As followers continue mourning and demanding justice, his legacy endures in the countless individuals he inspired to embrace their identities and live more authentically.
In the words of one follower: “He made people feel seen.” In a world where visibility often requires courage, that gift—helping others recognize their own worth—may be the most valuable contribution any creator can offer.
