Original occupants being removed

Original occupants being removed 

Wa development project 

Sources told S.H.A.N. the remaining villagers in the projected site of Yawng-kha in Monghsat township across from Chiangrai were being ordered to vacate the area, reports Moengzay.

"Soon after the Thais (in the survey team) left on 28 January, the Wa began erecting stakes attached with red cloth to mark the outline of what we think is the project site," said one villager who fled to Tachilek, opposite Maesai of Chiangrai province. "They also told us to sell our places and leave because we wouldn't be allowed to stay there anymore anyway."

The Yawng-kha area, known as Nayao to native villagers, used to have more than 240 households of Shans, Akha and Palaungs, according to a local Shan relief agency but only about 60 were left. The vacated land was filled up by thousands of Wa newcomers, it said.

The drive for a Thai-initiated crop replacement project began in earnest soon after Gen Khin Nyunt's landmark visit in September.

Meanwhile, troop movements have been reported from Tachilek to the Yawng-kha area where hundreds of Burmese-Wa forces face the Kengtung Front Force of the Shan State Army at Loi Kawwan. Chiangrai's local FM radio has also been warning Thai citizens against crossing the border at this time.

The battle of Loi Kawwan that was launched against the SSA on 5 February last year escalated into a Thai-Burmese border conflict when the nearby Pangnoon Thai outpost was taken by the Burmese forces.