Two temples and one Buddha statue razed by Wa

Two temples and one Buddha statue razed by Wa

A Shan from Mongyawn confirmed on 29 December 2001 that two Buddhist temples together with a life-size Buddha image were wrecked by angry Wa soldiers in mid-December. 

The first temple, built two years ago with K. 300,000 donation from drug-lord Wei Hsiaokang a.k.a. Ta Ngo, a Buddhist, was burned down by 25-30 Wa fighters under the command of Ta Kap, a deputy of Wei Hsaitang, Commander of Mongyawn forces, at 21:00 on 12 December, he said. The Wa, most of whom are animists, believed that the Buddhists had employed black magic that led to the epidemic which killed thousands of new settlers from Panghsang during the last two years. 

"Two days later they came back," said Fah (not his real name), "and when they saw the Sitting Buddha still intact, they tore it down and smashed it to pieces." Rev. Aw, the abbot who is a native of nearby Mongtoom, was said to have lost 5 baht of gold, B. 100,000 and K. 150,000 donations during the conflagration. 

When the incident was reported to the Wa authorities by Headman Hpawka, an officer was sent to the site who took some photographs and went back. "We have heard nothing further yet," he said. "But five days later, on 17 December, another 200-Wa troops surrounded the temple at Base 46, told the 7 Thai monks who were residing there to leave and pulled down everything." 

Base 46, halfway between Monghsat and Mongyawn, used to be the headquarters of Wei Hsiaokang, who was said to have moved to the Tachilek area, east of Monghsat. 

The Shan village in Mongyawn is located 3 miles east of the town. Mongyawn is 20-miles north of San Tondu village, Mae Ai District, Chiangmai province.