Shan Resistance Celebrates Shan New Year

Shan Resistance Celebrates Shan New Year 

The Shan Resistance held a four-day long celebration opposite Maehongson Province of Thailand to mark both the King's birthday and the Shan New Year. 

The Shan State Army of Yawdserk presumably under the leadership of the newly formed Restoration Council headed by Sai Aung Mart, held a small ceremony on 5 December in honor of His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej's 72nd birthday. 

The New Year ceremony on 8 December was participated by Sai Aung Mart, Council Chairman; Sao Yawdserk, Commander-in-Chief of SSA; Ms. Khur Hsen, Secretary General of the council; Khu Ooreh, Joint Secretary General, Karenni National Progress Party; Khun Markoban, Member of Parliament, Pekon Township and a few hundred local people. 

Yawdserk also held a 1:30 hour long press conference where several agencies from the local and international media attended. Among them were The Nation, ITV, Images Asia, TV Channel 3, AP, Reuters, USA Today, S.H.A.N., Prachachart Weekly and Phaendin. 

The Shan New Year is celebrated throughout Burma among Shan communities. 

The First Moon of the First Lunar Month, which falls on 8 December this year, is regarded as the "real" New Year's Day for all peoples of the Tai race, which includes, apart from Shans, Laotians and Thais.