Wa Consolidates hold on the border

Wa Consolidates hold on the border

Reporter: Saeng Khao Haeng 

The Wa army that has been authorized by Rangoon since mid-June to become gatekeeper along the border opposite Chiangmai-Chiangrai is building up its consolidation, according to sources across the border. 

From Namyoom, the village that serves as a supply depot on the Mongton-BP1 road (5 km from BP1), a road is being constructed to connect with the strategic Loihtwe (Doithuay in Thai) overlooking Thailand. 

Gen Htay Oo, Commander, LID 99, issued leaflets last month inviting the SSA to "exchange arms for peace". 
The local populace appears to be concerned with the SSA's publicized fight against drugs in the area. "We were not worried about the Shan's anti-narcotics activities against other groups, but with the Wa, it is a different story," said a Buddhist monk. "They are not going to take it meekly. There is a Shan saying, 'For a creeper climbing over a trellis, pulling one strand will shake the whole plant'. This aptly applies to the Wa". 

He added, "The Shans might say the Wa are fighting someone else's war but it is difficult to differentiate who's a proxy and who's not."

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