Mongla recovers from crash

Mongla recovers from crash

Drugs

Life is getting better for Mongla, a Shan town less than 10 km from the Chinese border and 240 km north of the Thai border, since its unexpected collapse in July as its Chinese residents were recalled and the People's Liberation Army replaced the paramilitary Wujin, but still way below full recovery, according to Shan ceasefire officials visiting Tachilek privately. 

"As most of the visitors cannot stay and are not allowed to carry more than 5,000 Yuan (25,000 baht) per trip, our revenue is down from before July but has improved since the end of the monsoons (November 2003)," said an officer from the National Democratic Alliance Army's 369th Brigade. The NDAA is recognized by Rangoon as Shan State Special Region #4. 

Apart from Thai transvestites, Russian girls have also become part of the landscape. Both Russian and Chinese girls are replaced every four months. "The former makes their entry through Rangoon and the latter through Daluo (the Chinese city opposite Mongla)," said an other official. 

Two other sources of revenue are timber and coal from Kengkharng, southeast of Mongla. 100 six-wheelers, each bringing Y 3,000, export coal to China each day, according to an official visitor from Thailand. 

The NDAA is led by Sai Leun a.k.a U Sai Lin a.k.a Lin Mingxian, a former communist commander. It is made up of Shans (50%), Akha (20%), Loi (15%), Chinese (5%) and Lahu, Kachin, Miao and others (10%). Its official language as of January is Shan. Its area, some 5,000 square kilometers, covers the northern part of the Namlwe river, which includes Mongyang, Mongma, Mongyu and the triangle section between China and Laos. It was declared drug-free in 1997. 

"Mongla and Saleu are free of poppy fields," assured an officer, "but of course we cannot vouch for sections adjoining Monghpen (a Wa-controlled area formerly under Bao Youhua, discredited younger brother of Wa leader Bao Youxiang) and the Triangle section under Sai Htoon (younger brother of Sai Leun and Commander of 911th Brigade)". 

The officers expressed relief that Bao Youhua had been removed from his command. "His troops had trespassed on NDAA area many times," said an officer from 369th Brigade, "prompting us to file complaints with the Wa leaders in Panghsang, but, until his dismissal, nothing came out of them." 

"In contrast, the NDAA has been since enjoying a cordial relationship with Ai Zawm, Bao Youhua's successor, he added. 

The group, like other ceasefire armies, has been invited to the 17 May National Convention. 

Related report; 
Viva Mongla, Bangkok Post, Perspective, Sunday, 4 April 2004