Wa Becoming A Bad Word

Wa Becoming A Bad Word?

Until recently, nobody cared very much for Wa, whose territory is in the northeast corner of Shan States. Those who did in a modest way knew them as the guys who toppled Burmese communism in 1989 and, later on, as somewhat good guys who tackled with Khun Sa, then the world's "No. 1" drug lord. 

But when a Thai police general lately made a mistake by announcing that the "Red Wa group" (popular name for the United Wa State Army) was led by Mahasang, leader of an anti-communist Wa group (officially the Wa National Organization) that is currently an ally to the anti-narcotic Shan States Army and member of the opposition umbrella organizations, namely, the National Democratic Front, the Democratic Alliance of Burma, and the National Council of the Union of Burma, it made one start wondering if it was a warning that the word "Wa" had taken an unfavorable meaning - that anyone who is of Wa blood is becoming fair game to the happy drug hunters. 

One observer remarked, "In the past, the drugs caught by the Thai suppression units were almost always publicized as coming from Khun Sa. It was as though to say otherwise would make one's capture an insignificant achievement. Now the same thing is happening with the Was". 

Another also agreed. "In the past, it was bad luck to be born a Shan. Because most of the people's mind, the word was synonymous to Khun Sa, and consequently to drugs. Nowadays, you're going to be eyed suspiciously for being a Wa". 

However, this does not mean good news for the Shans, that they are now out of the plughole. Not by a long shot. Since Wa Territory is in the Shan States, the chance is that both of them might still find themselves swimming home in the same waters. 

It's therefore up to both to decide whether it is better to save their own skins or work together to free themselves from the same shackles that have bound them for so long.