Thailand

Thailand's drug project in Shan State in Wei Hsiaokang's beat, says Lahu source 

Following police raids of drug-lord Wei Hsiaokang's suspected possessions in Bangkok, Chiangmai and Chiangrai yesterday, a border-based Lahu news source has questioned the validity of the planned crop substitution project in Wei's alleged domain in Shan State this morning. 

Jakwee, secretary of the Lahu National Development Organization, said, "The proposed project appears to be out of place with the action taken yesterday." 

Jakwee, who is also known as Yaphet, claimed that the project site in Mongtoom in Monghsat township, across Chiangrai province, was under Wei's direct control. 

"Wei was ordered to move out of Mongyawn by Wei Hsaitang (not a relative), the UWSA's commander south of Panghsang, (the Wa capital near the Chinese border)by February 2002," he said. 

Thailand , during the September visit of Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, the ruling junta's No-3 man, had proposed to assist in the development of Mongyawn, opposite Chiangmai province and reputed to be the center of drugs that have for years been overwhelming Thailand. Rangoon later counter-proposed that the project site be Mongtoom, northeast of Mongyawn. The exact location chosen by the Wa was Nayao, roughly 7 miles south of Mongtoom and 7 miles north of Pangnoon in Mae Fa Luang District, Chiangrai Province, according to another source. 

"Mongtoom, Mongkarn and Htalang in Monghsat Township and Monghpong, Paliao and Kenglarp in Tachilek Township all are within Wei's sphere of influence," he maintained. 

Wei, according to Jakwee, was born of a Chinese father and Wa mother. His family left China when he was still young and settled in Nammusay, Tangyan township, Lashio District, northern Shan State, where he went to school. He later joined former drug-lord Khun Sa's Shanland United Army but fell out with him in 1985. Together with Ai Hsiao Hseu, another Wa chieftain, he set up the Wa National Council that merged with the United Wa State Army in 1989. 

"It was because of Khun Sa's threat that he joined the UWSA," said Jakwee. "But he was a very difficult subordinate, a fact that culminated in his expulsion from Mongyawn. Only his close relations with Gen Khin Nyunt made him nearly untouchable." 

Wei has 7 brothers, he added, but only two are well-known: Wei Hsiaolong and Wei Hsiaoying.