19 : Burma Army beefs up border forces

 
At least 14 battalions in eastern Shan State have been mobilized probably to stage an attack on the Shan State Army (SSA) South's Loi Kawwan base, opposite Chiangrai, according to resistance sources.

The 14 battalions include Infantry Battalions (IB) 226 and 244 and Light Infantry Battalions (LIB) 311, 316, 329, 330, 331, 333, 359, 360, 553, 554, 579 and 580. There are 47 infantry battalions and 10 artillery battalions in the Kengtung-based Triangle Region Command, according to an inventory compiled by an opposition group.

For months, there have been increased reports about impending attack on the SSA South, commanded by Col Yawdserk.

A seasoned Maesai-based Thai security officer however has a different view. So far, what I see is an attempt to block and contain the SSA's movements, he said.

According to him, 4 infantry battalions have been deployed at every key points of the Monghsat-Tachilek road to prevent the SSA from crisscrossing it: IB 244 and LIBs 331, 360 and 554.

Another security officer, based in Chiangmai, also noted that he had yet to receive reports about the inclusion of artillery units in the operation.

The immediate cause of the Burma Armys latest moves appears to be the clash between its LIB 330 and the SSA on 15 September in Monghai Ner tract, Monghpyak township, 83 km north of Tachilek, where the latter had reportedly inflicted heavy casualties on the Burma Army column commanded by Maj Chit Ko: 2 dead and more than 10 wounded, according to the SSA. The Burma Army had also charged the Shans of burning down 4 villages: Jawsing, Loizay, Kainao and Kardmai, which was flatly denied by the latter.

We were in a hurry to free ourselves from the trap sprung by the Burma Army, said Lt-Col Kawnzuen, Commander of the SSAs Loi Kawwan-based Kengtung Force. It was also raining hard at the time. We couldnt have burned them if we wanted to.

At this time of reporting, the situation is still quiet though tense.

Loi Kawwan, located at the triangle area between Burma, Thailand and Laos, has been a coveted prize for the Burma Army, and several fruitless attempts had been made in the past to occupy it.

National Day in Loi Kawwan
The pictures were taken opposite Mae Fa Luang District, Chiangrai Province, at the Shan State Army base Loi Kaw Wan on 7 February 2005.