Renowned veteran writer and National Literary Award for Lifetime Achievement winner Maung Swe Thet (Colonel Nyunt Swe, Retd) passed away in Yangon on at approximately 4 pm 19 August 2026 at 91.
Maung Swe Thet, whose real name was U Nyunt Swe, was born in Sagaing Region in October 1935 to writer Ngwe Soe (U Ngwe Hsaing) and Daw Hsint. He joined the military as an cadet in March 1954. During his service in the Tatmadaw, he successively held various ranks and positions, ultimately serving as Deputy Commander of a military command.
Following his military service, he continued to serve in government positions, including Managing Director at the Ministry of Commerce, Myanmar Ambassador to Thailand, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Member of the Union Civil Service Board (at deputy-minister level), before retiring in 2006.
He entered the literary field around 1951-1952, writing military memoirs, non-fiction, fiction and novels. Under pen names including ‘Maung Swe Thet’, he published numerous short stories and articles in various publications, including Myawady Magazine and many other journals. Over the course of his literary career, he published 14 books.
He also contributed to public service as an in-house consultant at Popular Journal and served first as Vice-Chairman and later as Chairman of the Myanmar Libraries Foundation.
In recognition of his distinguished public service and literary contributions, he was awarded the title of Wunna Kyaw Htin, the Excellent Performance in the Administrative Field (First Class) and the Excellent Performance in the Social Field (First Class). He also received the Sayawun Tin Shwe Literary Award, Tun Foundation Literary Award, Pakokku U Ohn Pe Lifetime Literary Award and the 2023 National Literary Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Reflecting on receiving the National Literary Award for Lifetime Achievement, he once remarked: “As a writer, knowing that people read what you write brings deep joy and fulfilment. Knowing how much benefit it brings to the reader makes that joy even greater”— a sentiment that reflected his lifelong dedication to literature.
Writer Maung Swe Thet is survived by his wife, writer Ma Thet Swe (Thayet), three children, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. — TWA/TH
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