No. 10 - 04/2006
21 April 2006

Human Rights

New wave of Wa settlers reach border

At least 2,000 new Wa civilians arrived in Mongton township, opposite Chiangmai province, on Monday, 17 April, according to Thai and Shan sources.

One source in Nakawngmu, quoting a Wa officer, says there were 39 trucks bringing people from Panghsang, the Wa capital:
15 Ten-wheelers
12 Six-wheelers
12 Four-wheelers

The new arrivals were distributed to the following villages: Wanmai Hsonkwi, Teuzan, Kiuzan, Kunghsa, Mongjawd and Monghta. "Vice Chairman Bo Lakham (of the Wa) had secured agreement from Rangoon to resume the relocations while he was there to attend the National Convention (5 December - 31 January)," he was reported as saying.


Book cover

The three-year program that was launched in 1999 had brought more than 125,000 settlers from the Sino-Burma border in the north to the Thai-Burma border in the south, according to Unsettling Moves, a report by Lahu National Development Organization. The United Wa State Army however has given much smaller figures: 40,000 - 50,000. The target figure, according to it, is 100,000.