Thai general hates to lose kingdom

Thai general hates to lose kingdom "for the third time"

As fighting between the Burmese-Wa alliance and Shan rebels continues along the border, a celebrated Thai general has warned against too much emphasis on "over-reaction", a term Prime Minister Thaksin Shinowatra had used to restrict the Thai troops along the border from using live shells in order to ward off strayed bullets, according to Matichon weekly, 24-30 June issue. 

"If every time our men have to fire heavy guns, they need to obtain permission from above," said Gen Wattanachai Chaimuenwong, Assistant Army Commander, "I fear the history of losing our royal capital will be repeated for the third time." 

Gen Wattanachai became well-known when he, as Commander of the Third Army, retaliated the intrusion of 200 Burmese troops that captured Thailand's Pangnoon outpost in Chiangrai Province in their bid to attack the Shans from the rear. 

The general was alluding to one of the best known historical incidents prior to the fall of Ayuddhya to the invading Burmese forces in 1767. The Thai commander, Phya Taksin, was recorded to have been scathingly censured by the king for frightening the court ladies with his cannons that made deafening rackets when fired. The event stands to this day as one of the causes that led to Ayuddhya's defeat. Phya Taksin later distinguished himself as the liberator of the nation. 

Back to the front, sources in Chiangrai reported several attempts made by Burmese and Wa troops to enter Thai soil yesterday. "Our units had resolutely held them off each time they tried," confirmed a source close to the army. 

Shan State Army stronghold, Loi Kawmoeng, has been under heavy shellings since yesterday, after Shan fighters withdrew from Pang Maisoong, a Burmese camp opposite Chiangmai that they had overrun since 20 May.