• 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 News Burma

Bangkok Wants Wa Army Bases Withdrawn From Thai Territory

Saw Yan Naing by Saw Yan Naing
May 31, 2016
in Burma
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
Bangkok Wants Wa Army Bases Withdrawn From Thai Territory

Thai and Burmese military delegations meet in Mae Sai

5.7k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Thai military officials have asked their Burma Army counterparts to help in convincing a powerful ethnic Wa armed group, the United Wa State Army (UWSA), to withdraw its bases on the Thai-Burma border, where some are on Thai territory.

The Thai authorities made the appeal during a meeting between Thai and Burmese border security officials held in the Thai border town of Mae Sai, which sits adjacent Burma’s Tachileik town, on Monday, according to sources close to both the Thai and Burmese militaries.

The request comes just a few days after the Burma Army chief, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, visited the Thai capital of Bangkok on Thursday, when he met with top-ranking Thai military brass including junta leader Gen. Prayuth Chan-Ocha, who is also the country’s prime minister.

RelatedPosts

Myanmar People Skeptical of Junta’s Promises of Election, Peace

Myanmar People Skeptical of Junta’s Promises of Election, Peace

July 7, 2025
897
Karen Offensive Seizes a Dozen Junta Bases Along Myanmar-Thai Border

Karen Offensive Seizes a Dozen Junta Bases Along Myanmar-Thai Border

May 30, 2025
3.2k
Scamming China; Aid for Vote-Rigging; and More

Scamming China; Aid for Vote-Rigging; and More

January 25, 2025
1.6k

During a meeting with the Thai prime minister, Min Aung Hlaing said: “Illicit drug trafficking can affect all the countries in the region; cooperation is necessary to ensure that the armed groups relying on such drug trafficking do not exist.”

Prayuth agreed to working together on this point.

Min Aung Hlaing, however, did not mention the UWSA, which reportedly relies heavily on drug trafficking and the border trade for funding. The UWSA is estimated to have up to 30,000 armed soldiers, approximately 10,000 of whom are based in southern Shan State along the border with Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand.  Formed of remnants of the defunct Communist Party of Burma (CPB), the UWSA and Burma’s former junta government reached a ceasefire agreement in 1989 that has held strong since.

The Burma military representatives told the delegation from the Thai military in Mae Sai that they would report the proposal to higher officials, according to Burmese media outlet Network Media Group, quoting Thai intelligence sources in Mae Sai.

The UWSA bases that the Thai delegation wants removed are in Chiang Dao district in Chiang Mai province and in Pai district in Mae Hong Son province, both in northern Thailand, according to the Thai military sources.

More than a dozen UWSA bases are in southern Shan State near or across the Thai border. Other UWSA bases are also reportedly on Thai soil in Mae Hong Son province as well as Mae Sai and Mae Ai districts in Chiang Mai province.

However, a military source who is close to both Burmese authorities and the UWSA in Mae Sai told The Irrawaddy that he did not think the UWSA would voluntarily withdraw their bases on the Thai border, something the Burma Army has requested that they do several times in the past to no avail.

“They [UWSA] were asked [by the Burma Army] to withdraw their bases in the past. But they didn’t care and nothing happened to them,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

However, he said Burma Army units in Mongton and Mongsat regions in southern Shan State had been bolstering their military installations in the days since Min Aung Hlaing returned from his recent visit to Thailand.

“[The Burma Army] has been fortifying their bases as if they are preparing for war. They’ve built walls and fenced in their outposts with barbed wire. They have deployed more troops and ammunition. This started just after Min Aung Hlaing’s visit [to Thailand],” said the source.

“I think they would like to cut off communications between the UWSA’s northern and southern units,” he added.

The Wa control two noncontiguous territories in Shan State, the other being the Wa Special Region bordering China and comprising the townships of Hopang, Mongma, Panwai, Panghsang, Narphan and Metman.

The border security meeting in Mae Sai was attended by 25 members of the Burmese military, led by Lt-Col Aung Myint Oo, and 47 members of the Thai military, led by Col. Prapat Found Suwan.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: A_FactivaBorderConflict
Saw Yan Naing

Saw Yan Naing

The Irrawaddy

Similar Picks:

Karen Ethnic Army Launches Final Push to Capture Myawaddy on Thai Border
Burma

Karen Ethnic Army Launches Final Push to Capture Myawaddy on Thai Border

by The Irrawaddy
April 9, 2024
10.3k

The KNLA and PDF groups launched an attack on the last junta battalion defending Myawaddy on Tuesday afternoon and were...

Read moreDetails
Beijing Condemns Myanmar Border Clashes That Caused Chinese Casualties
Myanmar-China Watch

Beijing Condemns Myanmar Border Clashes That Caused Chinese Casualties

by AFP
January 4, 2024
4.4k

China said it will ‘take all necessary measures’ to protect its citizens after an artillery shell from Myanmar reportedly struck...

Read moreDetails
Myanmar’s Dictator Extends Emergency Rule Again, Citing Election Preparations
Politics

Myanmar’s Dictator Extends Emergency Rule Again, Citing Election Preparations

by The Irrawaddy
July 31, 2024
3.2k

Coup-maker Min Aung Hlaing says he needs another six months to impose stability and security, and compile accurate voter lists,...

Read moreDetails
Karen Offensive Seizes a Dozen Junta Bases Along Myanmar-Thai Border
Burma

Karen Offensive Seizes a Dozen Junta Bases Along Myanmar-Thai Border

by The Irrawaddy
May 30, 2025
3.2k

The powerful KNU and allies are advancing with coordinated attacks aimed at clearing regime troops from three states and one...

Read moreDetails
Four Reasons Why Junta Will Be Sole Beneficiary of Thai-Myanmar Taskforce
Guest Column

Four Reasons Why Junta Will Be Sole Beneficiary of Thai-Myanmar Taskforce

by Surachanee Sriyai
December 29, 2023
3k

Thailand is stepping into a minefield with moves for joint humanitarian assistance in case of a refugee crisis on its...

Read moreDetails
KNU ‘Ready to Work With China, Bangkok’ to Rid Thai Border of Crime
Burma

KNU ‘Ready to Work With China, Bangkok’ to Rid Thai Border of Crime

by The Irrawaddy
January 2, 2024
2.6k

The ethnic armed group’s New Year’s vow comes amid concerns that Chinese crime syndicates being pushed out of Shan State...

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Door-to-Door Voter Registration To Be Launched In Late June

Door-to-Door Voter Registration To Be Launched In Late June

Rangoon Chief Minister Attempts to Defuse Electricity Concerns         

Rangoon Chief Minister Attempts to Defuse Electricity Concerns         

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

1 day ago
767
Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

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

1 day ago
765

Most Read

  • Chin Resistance Tensions Boil Over as CNA Seizes Rival’s Myanmar HQ

    Chin Resistance Tensions Boil Over as CNA Seizes Rival’s Myanmar HQ

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Chinese Investment Reshapes Myanmar’s N. Shan as MNDAA Consolidates Power

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • ‘Reforms Are Not Optional’: Prominent Activist Urges NUG to Act Before It’s Too Late

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Trump’s Tariffs to Hit Myanmar’s Garment Manufacturers Hard

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta’s Top Russian Arms Supplier Tosses in Quake ‘Donation’

    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.