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Thai army to safeguard sovereignty

Thai armed forces would continue upholding its cardinal duty to defend its national sovereignty against all intruders, said a high level security officer, quoting the incumbent secretary general of the National Security Council. 

The statement came in response to S.H.A.N. query: how the Thai army will react to the present build-up of Burmese forces around the Shan State Army's Loi Kawwan Base, opposite Chiangrai province.. 

"Thai policy has not changed," said the officer who asked not to be named, "but the implementation might differ from one location to another." 

The officer cited the most recent (18 June) intrusion of Burmese troops in Maehongson as an example. "They came shooting," he said. "We had no choice but to retaliate in kind." 

The clash at Doi Saeng, Pangmu Tract, left two Thai soldiers from Payao's 2nd Infantry Battalion, 17th Regiment, wounded. According to army spokesman Col Somkhuan Saengpattaranate yesterday, Burma Army had sent a letter of apology, alluding the mistake to fresh arrival of troops who were yet to familiarize themselves with the terrain. 

Both Shan and Thai sources from the border say more Thai troops had poured into the area adjacent Loi Kawwan following reports of Burmese movements in Monghsat and Tachilek, opposite Chiangrai. "Villagers have been told that the troops will help evacuate them once fighting breaks out," said a local source. "They would also disarm any foreign troops crossing the border into Thailand." 

Both Thai and Shan sources mentioned, however, of the absence of heavy weapons, unlike previous occasions. In 2001, Burmese forces occupying Thailand's Pangnoon Base were repulsed by mortar and artillery shellings. Last year, heavy weapons were brought into the area but not permitted to use. "If the Burmese shell us again this year, I'm not sure whether our Thai army can do anything to stop them," commented a villager. 

Apart from armed fighters, Loi Kawwan is also playing host to 2,000 internationally displaced people, most of whom were uprooted from the Thai-initiated Yawngkha crop-substitution project site about 20 km north of the base. 

A Wa source in Tachilek said it was unlikely the United Wa State Army would participate in the coming campaign. "We were chewed out by Zhao Yi-Lai (the ailing Wa leader) last year for horning in on other people's business," he said. "But if Wei Hsuehkang wants to lend a hand, I don't know how we can stop him." 

Wei, wanted by both the United States and Thailand on drug charges, is reportedly close to the junta than any other Wa leaders.