No.11 - 05/2006
14 May 2006

War

Wa explanation proves hard to sell

Reporter: U Sein Kyi

Some border watchers and Shan commanders are taking the Wa assurance that it entertains no aggressive designs along the Thai-Burma border with several pinches of salt, reports Hawkeye aka U Sein Kyi who had recently visited the border:

"For one thing, we know for sure that at least 1,000 new arrivals in April (opposite Chiangmai) are not civilians but members of the UWSA (United Wa State Army)," said a veteran Thai security officer.

His statement was in response to S.H.A.N.'s No More Wa exodus news piece on 6 May that all of the estimated 2,000-4,000 newcomers were family members of the UWSA fighters on the border areas. "I don't buy it," a company commander of the Shan State Army 'South' told S.H.A.N.

Another reason for the skepticism displayed by the Thai and Shan security are reports of Wa plans to expand their forces further west:

• Units under Wei Hsuehkang's 171st Military Region to the Shan-Karenni-Maehongson triangle
• Those under Ta Roong's 214th Brigade (recently renamed 414th Brigade) from areas east of the Mongton-Pongpakhem road to the west
• Those under Mongyawn-based 2518th Independent Regiment, whose new commander is Ta Nub (replacing Ta Pan, who was arrested by the Burma Army in September), to supplant the 414th Brigade bases.

According to Shan sources in the area, the move would take place either in June or July, following the conclusion of its refresher course, attended by 300 officers, in Mongjawd.

The third case for the worry is the ever-increasing influence of the Wei brothers in the UWSA especially since Wa supreme leader Bao Youxiang took a back seat in the Wa affairs a few months back, citing poor health.

"Bao Youri (Bao Youxiang's elder brother) should be taking care of the administrative affairs in Panghsang in his brother's stead," a Wa officer was quoted as saying. "But he's spending most of his time in Namjarm (near Wanhong, Monghsat Township, long reputed as Wei Hsuehkang's homeground) instead."

Both Thai and Shan sources say they will continue to keep a close watch on the Wa movements.