Wa Units Expanding Into Khun Sa

Wa Units Expanding Into Khun Sa's Territory

A merchant from Mongton, on arrival in Thailand this morning, told S.H.A.N. he saw several trucks bringing Wa troops going westward into the area once under the sway of warlord Khun Sa. 

The merchant, who asked his identity to be withheld, said he was one of the witnesses to the transfer by more than 20 "Tiger" Toyota offroaders of the Wa fighters into the areas west of the Mongton-BP1 road. The 2,000 square kilometer sector of the Shan State, south of the westerly bend of the Salween and north of Thailand, was once named the Free Territory of Shan State, where Khun Sa's word was law until 1996 when he surrendered to Rangoon. 

"We were surprised, because as far as we knew, the area was taboo to Was, whose domain was supposed to remain east of the road," he said. "But another merchant, who spoke to Yikap, the commander of the Wa force, confirmed they would be taking positions in Mongkyawt and Loihtwe as previously agreed between Panghsang (the Wa capital) and Rangoon." 

The source, however, was not sure whether Yikap and Ta Kap, Deputy Commander of Division 417 that is responsible for security of Mongyawn, are the same. But their descriptions seem to fit: over 40, about five foot-six, handsome, dark, slim, trust-inspiring and deputy to Wei Hsaitang. ("Ta" is a title prefixed to a Wa man's name). 

Was were reported to have demanded a year ago that the two southern townships, namely, Mongton and Monghsat, be transferred to them. The eastern part of Khun Sa's "Free Territory" was in Mongton and the western part in Mongpan. The two townships are bisected by the Maekun, a tributary to the Salween. 

"It is also suspiciously strange that Loihtwe (a strategic mountain overlooking Chiangdao District, Chiangmai) is being handed over to the Was," he said. Yawdserk's 727th Brigade commanded by Maj. Ternkhurh, is reported to be active in the areas adjacent Chiangdao. 

Even local Burmese commanders were said to be dismayed by Rangoon's decision. "Was are difficult to get along with," Maj. San Oo Lwin, deputy commander, IB 225, was reported to have said. 

In addition, the Wa's mass repatriation of their population from the Chinese border to the Thai border during the dry season had also raised a number of speculations among Burma watchers.