Reports of the United Wa State Army (UWSA)’s Thai border based 171st Military Region moving its troops for another confrontation with the Shan State Army (SSA) South had once again awakened Shan and Thai security forces along the border from their lethargy yesterday, according to both official and civilian sources.

According to the reports, more than 30 trucks of UWSA troops have been arriving at Hwe Aw, the 171st’s headquarters in Mongton township opposite Chiangmai, since Sunday. The object will be Loilam, the SSA base opposite Wiang Haeng district.

Apart from Loilam, there are 4 other SSA main bases:

• Gawng Moong Merng, opposite Maehongson’s Muang district
• Loi Taileng, opposite Maehongson’s Pang Mapha district
• Loi Hsarm Hsip, opposite Chiangmai’s Fang district
• Loi Gawwan, opposite Chiangmai’s Mae Faluang district

According to sources close to the UWSA, the 171st Military Region’s commander Wei Xwegang had received a “reliable report” from his Burma Army sources that the SSA South, during a meeting with the Burmese officials, had demanded areas on the Thailand-Burma border under the control of the UWSA be transferred to the SSA South in exchange for peace.

“Wei had called for a punitive action against the SSA, but the Politburo decided to defer the decision until further information has been gathered,” said the source.

When the question was put to Lt-Gen Yawdserk, the SSA boss, he replied with a laugh, “We have yet to meet the Burmese officials, let alone presenting our demands. Besides we haven’t yet decided what we are going to ask for specifically. Commander Wei can therefore put his worries to rest. Whatever we are going to ask for, removing him and his people will not be included.”

The SSA, through Thai and militia intermediaries, has reportedly been approached for talks, following the official invitation to all armed movements fighting against Naypyitaw on 18 August. “But no date and venue have been set yet,” said Maj Lao Hseng, the SSA spokesman.

In 2007, The SSA South was invited to a meeting with military officials on the border. The two sides however were unable to agree on the venue: the Burmese side insisting it should be in Burma and SSA saying it should be in Thailand, being the first meeting.

The UWSA and closest ally Mongla-based National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), on the other hand, have concluded a new peace pact with Naypyitaw on 6 and 7 September respectively.

In 2005, the Burma Army and the UWSA launched a joint operation against the SSA South. The UWSA decision to withdraw had started the 6 year long tensions between Panghsang and Naypyitaw.

Updated (27 October 2011)

Maj Lao Hseng said yesterday, 26 October, that the misunderstanding between the UWSA and the SSA, apparently caused by “a third party”, has been cleared up.

According to a Thai security source,

• 22 October: Brig Gen Way Lin, Deputy Triangle Region Commander, visited Pongpakhem, opposite Chiangdao, and talked to leaders of the UWSA’s 171st Military Region. No details reported.
  
  
• 24 October: 9 trucks carrying 250 bags of rice arrive at 171st HQ from Wanhong, Monghsat township.
  
  
• 25 October: Bao Youri, Deputy General Secretary of UWSP and Political Commissar for 171st Military Region, arrives in 31 four-wheelers from Panghsang to inspect UWSA bases on the Thai border.