Wei Hsuehkang

Wei Hsuehkang's rival arrested

Several reports coming from the border appear to confirm that Wei Hsaitang, renowned as drug fugitive Wai Hsueh Kang's arch rival, was turned over by Wa authorities to Rangoon after his arrest on 17 May. 

Wei Hsaitang, former commander of the United Wa State Army's crack Special Regiment, otherwise known as the 894th Brigade, with headquarters in Mongyawn, was summoned to Tachilek, opposite Chiangrai, on 15 May, to attend a meeting chaired by Pao Yuqiang, supreme leader of the UWSA, they said. Two days later, he was handed over to Burmese authorities who had demanded his apprehension on charges of printing and distribution of counterfeit Burmese bank-notes. 

"He was also suspected to be sympathetic to Yawdserk's SSA," said a Border Patrol Police source. "So when he refused to return to the north after his appointment as commander of 417th Brigade, fear that he might join the SSA naturally increased." 

On 20 May, his close aide Ta Hsai-leu was found dead at his base near Mongyawn, opposite Mae Ai District of Chiangmai, after he refused entry to a combined force of Burmese and 171st Brigade of Wei Hsuehkang to research his premises. "According to an official announcement, he had committed suicide by pulling a hand grenade," said a Lahu source." There was no one to argue it was otherwise." 

Wei Hsaitang's deputy, Ta Kap, disappeared soon after the incident. 

By removing Wei Hsaitang a.k.a. Ta Tang, the 171st Brigade of Wei Hsuehkang had certainly become top dog, commented the sources. "Apart from the 894th, the 214th Brigade of Ta Rong had also been ordered to move back from Sanzu, near the headquarters of the SSA's 241st Brigade, to Awnglawng near Poongpakhem (about 10 miles from the Chiangmai border)," said the same Border Patrol Police source. "The 171st immediately filled the vacuum." 

Border watchers said all the Wa units facing the Thai forces across Maehongson and Chiangmai to Chiangrai were now from the 171st, regarded as the Wa force whose loyalty to Rangoon was little questioned. 

The largest military drill, codenamed Surisi 1/3, is still progress throughout Thailand's northern border from Tak to Chiangrai.