New Year

New Year, New Men In the Wind

3 January 2000. The grapevine in Tachilek, opposite Chiangrai, is that Rangoon is preparing for a major reshuffle during the year.

One of them is reported to be Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman, State Peace and Development Council. At least one more is believed to be Brig-Gen Thein Sein, Commander, Triangle regional Command, with headquarters in Kengtung.

Gen Thein Sein was severely "chewed out" by Rangoon for the recent debacle at Loi Maemaw area, opposite Chiangrai, where his troops were found implicated in drugs.

The SSA's seizure of 400,000 speed pills on 13 December led to a fierce battle between the former and the junta units, 15-19 December.

Local people, however, said:"There may be new men coming, but we doubt they are going to introduce a new system".