News brief

News brief (More About Wa)

5 Killed by Wa mines

Maihoong reported on 4 August that 5 relocated Shans were killed when they accidentally stepped on the mines planted by the Wa army in the eastern Shan State township of Mongton.

The 5, who arrived from Loilem at Namhukhoon village, Poompakhem Tract, Mongton township, on 2 June, were blown up by an unidentified anti-personnel mine only about 1 mile distant from Namhukhoon. They were on their way to Ban Nawlae just across the border in Thailand. The guide, a local villager, was fortunately unhurt. 

They were Loong Zai, 47; Panti, 36, Zai Nyo,31; Awngla, 28; and Zai Mon, 24. All were originally from Sanien Tract, Panglong Township, from where they were forced to relocate on 24 August 1997 to Loilem. Finding little help and few jobs to make a living, they had decided to come to Thailand with their families to work in the fruit orchards of Fang.

The Wa unit stationed nearby later told the villagers that the unfortunate villagers had accidentally stepped on the mine set up there as a precaution against surprise attacks either by Thais or the Burmese.

Namhukhoon is only about 3 km from the Thai- Shan boundary. 

Wei's Son Back from Taiwan

It was learned from reliable sources that Wei Xuegang's son, who came back recently from Taiwan, where he had been studying, was greeted at Tachilek and flown to Mandalay where the older Wei is setting up his business.

Wei's younger brother, Xueying, looks after his business interests back in Mongyawn during his absence.

Wei was reported to have been offered a higher position in the Wa hierarchy in order to keep him in Panghsang but he declined. He said he was happy with his present post as the commander of the 171st division.