BP: Wa army becomes major drug p

[suriya@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

June 6, 1998


                                     



                                NARCOTICS

              Wa army becomes
              major drug
              producer

              Slowly seizes control of Khun Sa bases

              Subin Khuenkaew

              The United Wa State Army has gained enough military strength
              to dominate areas formerly controlled by the once-mighty Mong
              Tai Army of Khun Sa. Also, it is slowly taking over narcotics
              production from the MTA.

              A military source said the Wa army has joined forces with the
              Khun Sa old guard to expand its network along the trail of the
              MTA. The UWSA is also entrusted by Rangoon to police the
              Thai-Burmese border.

              The United States is trying to block the rise of UWSA leader
              Wei Hsueh-kang, alias Prasit Chivinnitipanya, with a handsome
              reward offer for his capture.

              There are also rewards for three other men - two Burmese and a
              Thai - wanted on drug charges in New York. This is in addition
              to a longstanding reward for the capture of Khun Sa, who claims
              to have washed his hands of the narcotics business.

              Feared as a new Khun Sa in the making, Wei is said to have
              enough influence, ammunition and ambition to gain similar
              notoriety.

              "He certainly has what it takes to succeed Khun Sa as a drug
              warlord," said the source, adding the UWSA has increased its
              weapons stockpile in a bid to consolidate its military power.

              The UWSA now controls a wide area encompassing the MTA's
              former bastions opposite Chiang Rai's Mae Sai, Mae Chan, and
              Mae Fah Luang districts, and Chiang Mai's Mae Ai, Fang and
              Chiang Dao districts.

              Its influence is slowly spreading over parts of the border
              opposite Mae Hong Son. The source believes the UWSA is
              aiming to spread its domination further south into Myawaddy
              opposite Tak province in order to facilitate its amphetamine
              production and export.

              Gen Chettha Thanajaro, the army chief, yesterday maintained
              Thailand did not have to hand over Khun Sa to the United States
              if he was arrested on Thai soil.

              He said Thailand was an independent country with total freedom
              to treat its foreign criminals as it saw fit.

              Meanwhile, a massive manhunt has been launched for a gang of
              drug dealers who took two policemen hostage during a bungled
              sting operation.

              More than 100 officers including volunteers combed the area
              near Mae Sot-Umphang road in Mae Sot district of Tak
              province yesterday looking for four members of the drug gang
              and their hostages.

              The gang had demanded a ransom of 3 million baht and a
              getaway car in exchange for the two officers, police said.

              The officers were attacked and taken hostage after the gang
              discovered that the two were undercover officers, police said.

              Police yesterday arrested Amporn Parptip, a suspected gang
              member, but he denied knowing the whereabouts of the others.




                                     




© The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. All rights reserved 1998
Contact the Bangkok Post
Web Comments: Webmaster 

Last Modified: Sat, Jun 6, 1998