More Wa troops in combat zone

More Wa troops in combat zone

At least 300 more fighters are reported to have arrived in the disputed area of Paeksaem, between Burma's Mongton and Thailand's Chiangmai, following the clash between the United Wa State Army and the Thai army on Monday (25 March).

According to Thai intelligence sources, confirmed by local Shan civilians, 100 Wa from Mongyawn, another 100 from Hopang-Hoyawd and another 100 from Poongpakhem were assembled at Hwe Aw, halfway between Mongton and Nawng Ook, (Chiangdao District of Chiangmai) on the same evening.

They were transported to Pang Surhtao, opposite Laktaeng village, Piangluang Tract, Wianghaeng District yesterday. "At nine in the morning, one hour after the troops departure, four truckloads of supplies for them arrived in Hwe Aw from Mongton," said a local source. "They were said to be gifts from the Burmese army's IB 65."

A Thai officer remarked that if the report were true, "the Burmese are trying to play us off against each other and will emerge as a victor no matter who wins or loses."

Local villagers on the Thai side meanwhile do not appear to be unduly worried. Hundreds of them were seen traveling to Mongphong, Tachilek Township, opposite Chiangrai, 250 km away, to pay their respects to Reverend Boonjoom, a Shan monk much revered by Buddhists in both countries.

"It was strange that the Wa were there near Paeksaem at all when we had already notified the local Burmese authorities of Her Majesty the Queen's visit beforehand," commented a police officer. "Our troops were there only for Her Majesty's security. I hope the Wa's unawareness of our presence was not through a deliberate oversight on the Burmese part."

The highest Burmese military authority in the area is Lt-Col Khin Maung Oo, commander of LIB 314 from Kengtung. On the Wa part, there are three battalions from drug fugitive Wei Hsuehkang's 171st Division: 615th, 616th and 617th under the command of Jalaw Bo.

The clash on Monday left one Thai soldier dead and one seriously wounded. No Wa casualties were reported. (2 killed and one wounded, according to Burmese army source.)

Update

15 trucks, 5 military and 10 civilian, arrived in Nakawngmu, roughly 30 miles from the Thai border in Nawng Ook, at 12:00, reported a source in the area. Apart from supplies, the vehicles were also transporting 120-assorted troops from infantry battalions in Mongton: 65th, 225th and 277th.

One of the non-commissioned officers said they were on their way to the Mongtaw-Monghta area, opposite Paeksaem village in Wianghaeng District, to "serve as a rearguard for the Wa."

Time: 16:00