A new Wa refinery established near Laotian border

A new Wa refinery established near Laotian border

A border-watcher reported on 31 July that the Wa had recently established a new refinery in Tachilek township opposite Laos. 

The village of Wianglarn, about 60 km north of Tachilek and between Monglane and Paliao, is the place where Wa troops under Wei Hsiaokang, wanted by both Thailand and the United States, had founded the drug refinery on 26 June, he said. 

120 fighters from the United Wa State Army's "Southern Command" are responsible for the "internal security": 50 from Loilang commanded by Tama, 30 from Hopang-Hoyawd commanded by Tasao, 20 from Mongyawn under Laosang's command and 20 from Pangsang under Laohsu's command. 

"External security" is provided by Maj. Thein Aung from LIB 329 (Monghyak) with another 120 troops. 

The capital is K. 30 million (roughly B. 3 million). 

It was at this time that about 150-200 fighters facing the Shan State Army's Loi Kawwan Camp, opposite Chaingrai's Mae Fa Luang District, were abruptly ordered to move to Laos, he said. (Re: 07 - 08, Wa moving troops to protect labs in Laos, 13 July.) 

He also confirmed the clash between the Wa and LIB 359 (Tachilek) near Monghpong on 25 July that left 4 dead and 10 wounded on the Burmese side and an undisclosed number of casualties on the Wa side. "A Wa officer complained loudly in Mongyawn that it was a foolish mistake by the Burmese who should have known that Monghpong was in their turf and nothing went without them knowing," reported the source. 

The Wa has an agricultural project in the area. Some reports place Monghpong as the location where the 7 Thai officials were taken into custody on 27 July, just 2 days after the incident.