Wa wants Thailand to open border

No.02 - 8/2007
6 August 2007
War
 
Wa wants Thailand to open border
 
The United Wa State Army (UWSA), currently under pressure from the Burma Army to withdraw from its southern bases adjoining Thailand's northern border, wants it reopened, according to a businessman returning from the Sino-Burma border.
 
The Thai border has been closed to the Wa bases since 1999 during the Chuan Leekpai administration.
 
"Panghsang may offer cooperation in drug suppression in exchange for access to supplies from Thailand," said the businessman who asked anonymity.
 
No official proposal has been made so far.
 
According to a Thai army source, the Wa call may place the present government in Bangkok, that has so far been careful "not to rock the boat" between the two countries, at an awkward position.
 
"Besides, who would want to deal with the Wa until they have proven themselves clean?" he asked rhetorically.
 
The UWSA, since 17 July, has been ordered by the Burma Army to withdraw from their mountain bases along the Thai-Burma border and return to their original territory along the Sino-Burma border where the Wa Self-Administered Region has been designated by the Burma Army organized National Convention.