Shans straying into a refinery beaten to death

Shans straying into a refinery beaten to death

14 Shan villagers traveling to Thailand on foot who unintentionally slipped into the vicinity of a methamphetamine factory 18 miles north of the Thai border were flailed to death by Burmese soldiers, said a Shan source who lost his brother.Sai Wan, 22, who recently returned form Mongton, opposite Chiangdao-Chaiprakarn districts, Chiangmai Province, told S.H.A.N. the 14 villagers, including his brother Sai Wi, 24, were intercepted (Mongton Township, Monghsat District, Triangle Region), on their way to the Thai border by Company 4, commanded by Captain Chan Nyein from IB (Infantry Battalion) 225 near Hwe Pakhee, 18 miles (29 km) north of BP1, the border pass between Mongton and Chiangdao.

The villagers were accused of spying and beaten to death. 4 among them were women.

"Learning that my brother was coming and knowing he was overdue, I slipped across the border to find out what delayed him," said Sai Wan.

"People in the area informed me that they were killed because they went too near to the Yaba factory set up lately by an aide of Wei Hsiaokang and guarded by the Burmese (military)."

Wei Hsiaokang is wanted by both US and Thai enforcement agencies for drug offenses.
Names of the victims are as listed below: