The book was published in June 2005, but following the occupation of Kokang in August, became a bestseller when it was put on sale during the International Conference on Shan Studies (ICSS), 15-17 October, held at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University.

Can you believe that, after seeing a flying bird over his head, a stateless child gets a chance to fly to Japan to compete in an origami airplane competition, representing a country which is not his motherland?  

Since it became famous as the gemland, Monghsu, one of the most simple and peaceful town surrounded by creeks, valleys and mountains, also became vulnerable to predators.

"The government is bankrupt and the generals have all the money," reported Mizzima News, on 25 April, quoting a member of an International NGO in Rangoon.

"I am not shy having a disabled father, but I am worried about him. With the disability, struggling for a life is so difficult and rough," said a little boy, who looked sad.  So was I, with tears gathering in my eyes, I could not continue our conversation. We were silent for a movement. The weather also seemed to understand our feeling. The sky suddenly became dark and cloudy. The wind was also damp.  Apart from the wind, the chipping of the birds and the crackling of the mother and baby chickens around the hut were the only noises.

Almost 70 years ago, Maurice Collis, a former British magistrate in Burma, toured the Shan States, which included a visit to the biggest and most prosperous of them all, Kengtung.  Kengtung was ruled by a royal family that traced its descent to King Mengrai, the founder of Chiang Mai.  Under British rule, the Kengtung Saophas (princes) ruled semi-autonomously, administering to affairs of state from the Haw Saopha Kengtung (Kengtung Palace), which Collis also visited.