The United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the people it had brought down from the Sino-Burmese border will not move house back from the Thai-Burmese border areas where it has been allowed to reside since the 1990s, according to well known analyst Aung Kyaw Zaw, who is reportedly close to the Wa.

On 13 May, on a highway linking with Sino-Burma border, at Namkham, a shootout incident has occurred between a unit of Myanmar police and Panhsay militia men, following some arguments among themselves in which the case involve a deal on illegal logging business, according to local news sources.

According to a senior Thai border security official, both China and United Wa State Army (UWSA)’s denial of a report saying China had delivered a number of ‘Hip’ helicopters equipped with air-to-air missiles to the latter warrants further investigations.

Recent movements made by the Burma Army have placed Thai security in a state of alert, according to sources on the Thai-Burmese border.

“Since ceasefire agreements were signed, Mongton township (opposite Chiangmai’s Chiangdao and Fang districts) had only 3 local infantry battalions: Infantry Battalions (IBs) 65, 225 and 277 plus Artillery Battalion 386,” said an informed local. “But this month, we are witnessing new developments.”

Fighting still continues between the Burma Army and its sister organization, the Shan State Army (SSA) South, on the Sino-Burmese border, but the SSA North has reached agreement to “faithfully observe” the ceasefire signed last year, according to a joint statement issued Saturday, 11 May.

It is reported that today early morning Burma Army launched an attack against Shan bases on the Mao (Shweli) valley on the Sino-Burmese border, resulting in local people over 800 to flee for their safety across the border, said local news sources.

At least 9 people including children have been killed and several more injured on the border between Shan State’s Mongton township and Chiangmai since the annual water splashing festival last month, according to sources on the border.

On 3 May, a unit of Burma Army while searching for their men inside the Restoration Council of Shan State / Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) base, torched it to ashes next day, resulting in anger by Shan troops under the command of Task Force 701 based in the Nam Mao (Shweli) valley region, according to local news sources.