Drug factories withdraw from the Triangle

The Triangle area between Burma, Laos and Thailand has become problematic and the best bet for the Wa is to have the Thai-Burma border under control, according to Wei Hsueh-kang, the de facto commander of the United Wa State Army's 171st Military Region in May, report sources from the Chiangmai and Chiangrai borders.

Wei was speaking to UWSA commanders returning form the Loi Taileng front across Maehongson where they were encountering stiff resistance from the Shan State Army. The meeting took place at Base 46, between Monghsat and Mongyawn, across Chiangmai's Mae Ai District.

According to local sources, some of the "factories" that had moved out of Mongton township, opposite Chiangdao District, Chiangmai Province, in 2003 during Thailand's all-out War on Drugs are already moving back.

One of them is located west of Pong-an, a village north of Pong Pakhem, the sub-township seat, just 16 km north of the border.

The laboratory, owned by Chao Ching, an associate of Wei, was brought in by Infantry Battalion 226 based in Loimwe near Kengtung. By 28 June, it was already churning out pills under the tight security of IB 226. "Most of the Karaoke joints in the area say their yaba (methamphetamine) comes from the place," said a source to make his point.

Chao Ching, who is also growing ginger extensively, has just built a new home for himself in Namyoom, 6 kilometers north of the border.

"We are all unhappy," said a respected local elder. "The youth have become so addicted to yaba they are no longer interested in building up a future for themselves."

Mongton together with Mongpiang and Monghsat are considered out-of-the-way townships in eastern Shan State. Show Business, a report published by S.H.A.N. in 2003, found 18 refineries in Mongton alone.