Three Events For Shans To Celebrate

Three Events For Shans To Celebrate

Back To The Past-Today
25 January 2000

Today, the Shans are celebrating the anniversary of three momentous events in their long history.

The first is the 699th anniversary of the Battle of Myinsaing fought in 1301 in central Burma between the famous Three Shan Brothers and the Mongols.

Sao Saimong Mangrai, reports in his 'The Shan States and the British Annexation': The Chinese reached Myinsaing on the 25th January 1301. The tree brothers put up a stiff resistance. D.G.E. Hall, in his' History of South East Asia,' also informs: ". . . the defenders beat of all attacks, and after failure of a grand assault on 28 February, negotiations opened. . . . The Mongol invasion of Burma gave the Shans the opportunity to play a dominant role in that unhappy country." 

The three were Ai Sengkhai ( Athinkhaya in Burmese), Yi Sengkam ( Razathingyan in Burmese) and Sarm Sengsawm ( Thihathu in Burmese). The three and their descendents ruled Burma until 1555, when Ava was sacked by the forces of Bayinnaung.

The second event is the 408th anniversary of the famous duel between King Naresuan of Siam (Thailand's old name) and Prince Uparaj of Burma in 1592, when the former, defeated the latter. The event is celebrated annually as the Armed Forces Day in Thailand.

King Naresuan is remembered by the Shans as the Thai King who helped win independence for the Shan States in 1600 through his ally, Khamkainoi, the Prince of Hsenwi. The Shans also do not forget that it was to help them resist another Burmese invasion in 1605 that he marched to Mongton and died there.

N.B. (Thai chronicles say he died of a sudden illness, caused by a poison skin disease that was characterized by pustules. But Shan researcher, Khurhsaen, claims both he and Khamkainai were killed in action together.)
King Naresuan remains the symbol of brotherhood between the Thais and the Shans.

This year, as in every year past, the Shans shall join their cousins in paying homage to this king at the Naresuan Memorial at Muangngai, Chiangdao District, Chiangmai.

The third event came about in 1969, when Kornzurng joined Sao Noi, the first resistance leader, to form the Shan United Revolutionary Army. His successor, Yawdserk, retained the name, until he changed it to the Shan State Army in 1996 in accordance with his agreement made with two other Shan groups.