Disgraced son of Wa released

No.11 - 5/2007
29 May 2007
Politics
 
Disgraced son of Wa released
 
A Wa commander, known as 'the fightingest officer' in the United Wa State Army (UWSA), was recently pardoned and released from prison by Panghsang leaders amid reports of calls for surrender by Burma's military rulers, according to sources on Thai and Chinese borders.
 

^{Wei Hsaitang}

Wei Hsaitang, 47, former commander of the UWSA's Independent Regiment and later 417th Brigade, had been serving a 55-year jail sentence in Panghsang, on the Sino-Burma border, since May 2002. He had been accused of several offenses including manufacturing of counterfeit bank notes.
 
"His release came following a demand by Pyinmana (Naypyidaw) that Panghsang reply by 1 August whether it's ready to exchange arms for peace," said a visitor to Panghsang who recently came back. He also confirmed news that Bao Youxiang, Chairman of the UWSA, who had been in poor health for the past two years, has improved.
 

^{Bao Youxiang}

Wei Hsaitang aka Ta Htang had made his name during the six-year fight (1990-1996) against the Mong Tai Army (MTA) of Khun Sa in the Doilang-Mongyawn area, opposite Chiangmai's Mae Ai district.
 
Wei had also been known as a bitter rival of Wei Xuegang, de facto commander of the Thai-Shan State border-based 171st Military Region. Despite sharing the same family name, the two are not related.