Khun Sa basher in town

Khun Sa basher in town

No interviews allowed

Politics

The man, whose mutiny in 1995 sparked the downfall of warlord Khun Sa and forced him to surrender barely six months after, has quietly arrived in Bangkok to receive treatment for liver complications, according to Shan sources in the kingdom's capital. 

Col Gunyawd, 40, who is holding three offices: Secretary Generals of Shan State National Army a.k.a Shan State Army "Central", Shan State Peace Council and Shan State Joint Action Committee, flew in from Rangoon yesterday, accompanied by his wife, Ying Sita, and two attendants. He had gone straight to an undisclosed private hospital on his arrival, they said. 

"He needs complete privacy for his speedy recovery," said one of his friends in Bangkok, as Gunyawd declined to make himself available for the interview, "and we therefore request that he is not disturbed throughout his stay." 

With regards to the ceasefire group's sudden "about-face" to attend the National Convention two weeks after the 15 October joint announcement with other groups, including the United Wa State Army, the friend insisted they still adhered to the declared conditions. "In addition, providing names of participants does not necessarily mean the groups will attend the NC without fail," he said. "It only implies that these are the people who will represent them if they decide to participate." 

All the same, the friend thanked Gen Khin Nyunt, whose intercession was the reason they were able to obtain passports in 3-days. "Normally, it takes 2-weeks to get one," he added, "so we were told." 

The Shan State National Army was formed out of the 1995 mutinying troops of Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army. 

The Shan State Peace Council was formed by the SSNA and Shan State Army "North" in 1996. The SSA "South" of Yawdserk was reported to be part of it until rejected by Rangoon. 

The Shan State Joint Action Committee was formed by the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy of Khun Toon Oo together with the SSNA and SSA "North" in the same year SSPC was founded.