Shans in Thailand holding

Shans in Thailand holding "the last festival"

Amid reports of deportation in view following August deadline, Shans in northern Thailand have been holding festive ceremonies initiating their sons to become novice Buddhist monks. 

"This might well be our first and last novitiation festival" said a father in Fang, Chiangmai Province, whose 10-year old son was dressed in a traditional garb of a Shan prince before receiving the yellow robe from a senior monk. 

He told S.H.A.N. he had heard reports about Thai authorities' recent decision to repatriate all aliens who arrived in Thailand after 1985. "That means many of us will have to leave our new homes and farms here too," he said. 

Thousands of Shans in Thailand hold various identity cards: Displaced Person's Card (Pink) for those who came before 1985 and Highlander's Card (Blue), Illegal Entry Card (Orange) and Highlanders Survey Card (Green) for those who came afterwards. 

Hundreds of thousands however are living and working in Thailand without any identifications. They will not also enjoy the benefit of entering a refugee camp like Karens and Karennis. 

195 novitiates shall be ordained as novice monks at Phrathat Chalermphrakiat Temple, Wiangwai Village, Mawnpin Tract, Fang District today. Another 46 boys are being ordained at Papao Temple, Chiangmai, where novitiation ceremonies, better known as Poy Sanglawng, have been held for five consecutive years.