No.16 - 03/2006
18 March 2006

Politics

Wa organize mass wedding for its soldiers

Reporter: Phu Murng

United Wa State Wa Army (UWSA) commander Wei Hsuehkang of the 171st Military Region held a wedding ceremony for 120 couples, according to sources from the border.
 
On 13 March, the UWSA leaders held a mass wedding ceremony for its soldiers, at its agricultural area at Kungsa village, located between Hwe Aw and Nakawngmoo, 38 km north of Boundary Post #1 (BP-1), Nawng Ook village, Chiang Dao district, Chiang Mai province.

The ceremony was presided over by Wei Hsuehkang's younger brother Wei Hsuehying, known by the villagers as Paw Tao Hsawng (Grandfather #2).

Most of the bridegrooms are members of the 171st, and they come from different bases both along Thai-Burma border and deeper inside.

According to sources, most the couples are Christian and have been living together as husband and wife, but didn't have religious wedding before. The leaders have therefore held the ceremony both as a gift and encouragement to the soldiers. Marriage partners who are Buddhists also participated in the wedding ceremony.

According to an analyst, the mass wedding of the UWSA for its soldiers indicates that the economic status of UWSA has improved. In recent years the UWSA has been encountering severe financial crisis, resulting from the political situation in Burma and crackdowns by neighboring countries.