Wa shelling of royal project site ordered by Burma Army

Wa shelling of royal project site ordered by Burma Army, say source

A source from the border called S.H.A.N. this morning to confirm that the Wa shelling of the royal project site in northern Thailand on 22 May was ordered by the Burmese army. 

The source, who lives in Monghsat, said the order came from Lt.-Col. Myint Aung, Commander, Light Infantry Battalion 333 of Monghsat to Ai Htoon, Battalion 212 of the UWSA (United Wa State Army) to shell Doi Angkhang (the royal project site). 

Five mortar shells landed in the Doi Angkhang royal development project site in Fang District, 160 kilometers north of Chiangmai and 2 kilometers from the border. Across the border is Pakhee, the scene of fierce fighting between Shans and the Burma Army from 22 April to 3 May and later, 3-10 May, between the Thai Army and the Burma Army-backed Wa. 

He said, "It was the Burmese idea of celebrating the Shan Resistance Day that falls the day before. Doi Angkhang was chosen because that was where the fledgling Shan force of Noom Serk Harn formed by Sao Noi in 1958 established his first base, said the Burmese". 

The Shan State Army had marked the event on the previous day by inviting Nga Caravan, the celebrated Thai singer, thereby causing a sensation in the country. The SSA also irked many of its supporters by renaming it the Shan State Army Day. 

They argued that while it was true the Shan resistance army was born on that day, all had agreed to call it the Day of Resistance. "At least they could have consulted all those concerned before changing the name", one said. "What happens, I'm afraid doesn't bode well for the Shan State's democratic process". 

Another disappointed supporter also said, "The right course always moves from a narrow base to a broad base. What we are doing is just the reverse".