• Burmese
Friday, July 11, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
26 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home In Person

UWSA Politician: Wa to ‘Continue Asking for Autonomous State’

Nan Lwin Hnin Pwint by Nan Lwin Hnin Pwint
June 29, 2017
in In Person
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
Nyi Kep, deputy head of UWSA Military Region 171’s political department. / Nan Lwin Hnin Pwint / The Irrawaddy

Nyi Kep, deputy head of UWSA Military Region 171’s political department. / Nan Lwin Hnin Pwint / The Irrawaddy

5.7k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

For the first time since the United Wa State Army (UWSA) began its anti-drug campaign in 1996, journalists were invited to witness the ethnic armed group destroying seized drugs on June 26.

The event took place in UWSA’s Military Region 171 in the southern area of the Wa Self-Administered Division bordering Thailand to mark the UN’s International Day Against Drug Abuse.

On the day, UWSA commander Yang Guozhong said opium poppy fields have now been completely eradicated from the southern part of the Wa Self-Administered Division after almost 30 years of UWSA’s efforts to distance itself from the reputation of being a drug producer.

RelatedPosts

Myanmar, Thailand Ramp Up Cooperation on Border Issues

Myanmar, Thailand Ramp Up Cooperation on Border Issues

July 4, 2025
1.6k
Thailand’s PM Suspended by Constitutional Court

Thailand’s PM Suspended by Constitutional Court

July 1, 2025
469
Thailand’s Ruling Political Dynasty Faces Day of Legal Peril

Thailand’s Ruling Political Dynasty Faces Day of Legal Peril

July 1, 2025
359

Nyi Kep, deputy head of UWSA Military Region 171’s political department, recently talked with Irrawaddy reporter Nan Lwin Hnin Pwint about UWSA’s demand for autonomy and efforts for the eradication of drugs and arms smuggling in the area.

The UWSA is trying to negotiate with the government to achieve the standing of an autonomous state instead of a self-administered division. What compromises does the UWSA have to make to achieve this?

We are not prepared to make compromises. But we want an autonomous state. We need it. We’ll continue asking for it. We can do nothing if [the government] doesn’t give it, but we are not prepared to give and take.

We don’t have such an attitude that we would fight if we were not given an autonomous state. Whether we ask for an autonomous state or not, it will be fulfilled one day if there is peace and development. But we wish the government treated ethnicities with magnanimity. We don’t want it to shoot this or that ethnicity.

The UWSA has presented detailed policies about the type of state it wants to get. How confident is the UWSA of entering political dialogue with the government?

We have trust in the government. That’s why we have lived [with the government] here for ages. We have trust in them.

Unlike other areas controlled by ethnic armed groups, Military Region 171 is near military outposts of the Tatmadaw. How are the relations between the two sides?

There are many difficulties because of the proximity. But we can do nothing, at least for the time being. When this area was controlled by [drug warlord] Khun Sa, we assisted [the military] in attacking him. As we defeated Khun Sa, the government gave us this place. And now government troops are stationed here, with our troops stationed alongside. We can do nothing. We Wa attacked Khun Sa and [Shan ethnic and political leader] Yawd Serk when they were powerful.

Much of the international community, including Thailand, which borders the Wa Self-Administered Division, claim drugs are smuggled into Thailand from the UWSA. What do you say to this?

We are dedicated to fighting against drugs in our special region. We go to villages and inspect every house to fight drugs. But whenever drugs are seized, Thailand keeps saying those drugs come from Wa State. They are giving us a bad name. They lay the blame at our door and only care for their interests. The Thai government always asks us to back off our outposts at the Thai border, but it is not our government. We will never back off the posts, which were given to us by our government.

The Thai government also links arms smuggling in its territory to the UWSA.

Yes, we know there are such allegations. But we are not the only ethnic armed group in the region. There is the Lahu [group] as well as other ethnic armed groups. I just don’t want to name their names. We know which groups are involved. Yes, Thai authorities have reported seizures of smuggled arms, and we know who they are. But it is not us. We don’t smuggle arms to Thailand and we don’t receive arms smuggled from Thailand.

We also arrest those who are responsible, and could arrest some armed men involved in arms deals.

Does the UWSA plan to establish ties with Thai authorities?

No. Previously, we did have a plan, but the Thai authorities drove us away. They didn’t let us stay. They are scheming and just take advantage of our name.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko

Your Thoughts …
Tags: DrugsThailandUnited Wa State Army (UWSA)
Nan Lwin Hnin Pwint

Nan Lwin Hnin Pwint

The Irrawaddy

Similar Picks:

Myanmar Junta Arrests Thai Condo Buyers, Realtors as Currency Crashes
Business

Myanmar Junta Arrests Thai Condo Buyers, Realtors as Currency Crashes

by The Irrawaddy
June 4, 2024
27.7k

Monday’s arrests follow reports that Myanmar has become one of Thailand’s most lucrative markets for selling condos since the 2021...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Detains Generals Who Surrendered to Resistance in Laukkai
Burma

Myanmar Junta Detains Generals Who Surrendered to Resistance in Laukkai

by The Irrawaddy
January 8, 2024
24k

The detention of the six brigadier generals is required under the military’s rules following last week’s surrender to the MNDAA,...

Read moreDetails
Reluctant Exiles: Another ‘Life or Death’ Exodus From Myanmar
Stories That Shaped Us

Reluctant Exiles: Another ‘Life or Death’ Exodus From Myanmar

by Brian Wei
April 8, 2024
22.1k

The latest exodus of reluctant exiles from Myanmar comprises young people forced to leave everything behind to escape becoming frontline...

Read moreDetails
Five-Star Casino Resort on Myanmar Tropical Island Runs Out of Luck
Burma

Five-Star Casino Resort on Myanmar Tropical Island Runs Out of Luck

by The Irrawaddy
February 6, 2024
19.3k

U Kyaw Lwin ran his casino resort on the visa-free island for more than 10 years before facing arrest in...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Youth Exodus Feared in Wake of Junta’s Conscription Law
Burma

Myanmar Youth Exodus Feared in Wake of Junta’s Conscription Law

by The Irrawaddy
February 15, 2024
15.7k

Activists warn of increased labor rights violations in Thailand and human trafficking as young people flee to avoid mandatory military...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar Junta Enforces Rule Requiring Migrant Workers to Remit 25% of Pay
Burma

Myanmar Junta Enforces Rule Requiring Migrant Workers to Remit 25% of Pay

by The Irrawaddy
August 5, 2024
15.1k

Those working in Thailand under a govt-to-govt scheme who fail to remit 25% of their pay via the formal banking...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Local farmers staged a protest against Wanbao Co on June 26. / Soe Lwin Oo / Facebook

Four Letpadaung Protesters Charged Under Peaceful Assembly Law

Namhsan locals fearing arrest by the Myanmar Army flee to Lashio Township in northern Shan State. / The Irrawaddy

Namhsan Locals Flee Myanmar Army Arrests

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

‘Reforms Are Not Optional’: Prominent Activist Urges NUG to Act Before It’s Too Late

‘Reforms Are Not Optional’: Prominent Activist Urges NUG to Act Before It’s Too Late

2 days ago
961
Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

2 days ago
960

Most Read

  • Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

    Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Deploying Conscripts in Major Push to Reclaim Lost Territory

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Junta Bombing of Resistance-Held Areas in Mandalay, Karenni Kills Seven Civilians

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Two Prominent Myanmar Ex-Political Prisoners Die Hours Apart in Yangon

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Chin Resistance Tensions Boil Over as CNA Seizes Rival’s Myanmar HQ

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.