Thai troops stationed near the Thai-Myanmar border, in Mae Hong Son province, have been put on alert after troops from Myanmar’s United Wa State Army (UWSA) are reported to have occupied eight former bases of the now defunct Mong Tai Army, some of which are located on Thai territory.
An informed Thai Defence Ministry source said that the Thai army asked the UWSA troops to withdraw from the bases within 30 days, during a recent meeting in Chiang Mai between representatives of both sides.
The source said that the Thai army wanted to negotiate with the UWSA before resorting to military action to drive the intruders from Thai territory.
Assisted by China, the UWSA is a well-equipped ethnic minority army of an estimated 30,000 soldiers, led by Bao Youxiang. In 1996, the UWSA engaged in an armed conflict with the Mong Tai Army, led by Khun Sa. During this conflict, the Wa army occupied areas close to the Thai border.
Territory controlled by the UWSA is known to be a safe haven for the production of illegal narcotics, usually smuggled into Thailand, sometimes via Laos.
Revenues from drug trafficking are the main source of funding for military and economic development in the territory controlled by the Wa Army
