No. 02 - 10/2005
2 October 2005

Drugs

Wa business firm signs removed

All the way from Kengtung,  160 km away, to Tachilek, just across the border from Thailand's Maesai, the United Wa State Army's Hongpang Group signs are no longer seen, according to travelers from Kengtung.

This was confirmed by a source close to the Army, who said the order to pull down the signs was issued on 18 September, more than a week after a drug convoy escorted by the UWSA was seized by the Burma in Mongpiang, 100 km west of Kengtung.

"The UWSA's efforts to secure the release of its men came to nought," he said. "Ta Parn (Commander of the UWSA's 2528th Independent Regiment) and his men were seen being escorted to the airfield under tight security on 23 September. I was told they would be flown to Mandalay."

Also the Wa vehicles, once considered untouchable, are now being stopped and searched by authorities at various checkpoints.

According to Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Deputy Senior General Maung Aye had promised, during his 4-day visit to Thailand, 22-26 April 2002, the Hongpang would cease to exist within 2 weeks of his return to Burma. The planned crackdown on the UWSA would be in exchange for Thaksin's pledge no to support the Shan State Army, reported Bangkok Post.

The crackdown however did not materialize, due to border tensions that flare up between the two countries, following heavy fighting between the SSA and the Burma Army.

Hongpang, founded in 1998, is involved in import/export, general trading, production of textiles, wires and cables, electric appliances and agricultural goods. It is also engaged in livestock breeding, gem mining and highway construction.

However, it is still unclear whether or not the company has been ordered to cease its business activities.

Also unclear is as to who had tipped off the Burma Army. While several of S.H.A.N sources pointed out at Beijing, whose formal request Rangoon could hardly afford to ignore, two of them said it was Wei Hsuehkang, the defacto Commander of the UWSA's 171st Military Region himself, who had betrayed his own people in exchange for a separate deal with Rangoon.

8 top leaders of the UWSA, including Chairman Bao Youxiang and Wei Hsuehkang were indicted by a New York Court in January.

Related reports:
Wa convoy intercepted, 15 September 2005
No more buddies, 16 September 2005
Thai papers confirm record haul, 20 September 2005
Wa supremo protege among those apprehended, 23 September 2005

Hong Pang fruit shop, outside Tachilek (photo taken in February 2005) Courtesy: Tom Fawthrop