Shans deny wearing Thai uniforms

Shans deny wearing Thai uniforms

In response to Bangkok Post report, 3 June issue, that Shan rebels wore Thai uniforms for attacks on Burmese and Wa bases, the Shan State Army spokesperson made a prompt reply in the negative. 

"We had no need to disguise ourselves", said Ms Khurhsen Heng-awn, quoting her boss, Col Yawdserk, who also doubled as head of the SSA's political wing, Restoration Council of Shan State. 

She pointed out the "oversight" by the army source who claimed that the SSA asked its contacts in Chiangrai to buy 50 Thai military uniforms. "The source obviously thought Pang Maisoong (the Burmese stronghold taken by the Shans on 20 May) and Chiangrai must be quite near," she commented. 

Pang Maisoong is about 160 km north of Chiangmai, but twice as far southwest of Chiangrai. 

"Those who are in need of wearing other people's uniforms are those who desperately want to put off the resolution of the drug problem in Burma as well as the talks in Rangoon," she contended. 

The Burmese battalion in Mongton, opposite Chiangmai, IB 65, had already ordered 500 Wa uniforms for Burma Army use, she said. 

The Thai army had denied allegations that Thai soldiers went across the border to attack Burmese or Wa bases during its Surasi military exercises last month. 

Update: 

S.H.A.N. source confirmed SSA claim tone. 

On 20 May, Captain Han Sein, Commander, Company 1, IB 65, gathered townspeople with sewing machines in Mongton to make 500 uniforms "for the Wa". "There wasn't anybody who believed the Wa army was so poor it couldn't clothe its own men," reported the source on 24 May. (The report arrives on 3 June) 

13:30 (3 June 2002)