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Bangkok Post(10-4-99) Burmese drugs



Subject: Bangkok Post(10-4-99) Burmese drugs baron moves house  



<center><bold>Burmese drugs baron moves house 

</bold></center>	New border basenear Chiang Rai


Subin Khuenkaew

	New Burmese drug baron Wei Hsueh-kang, who replaced the notorious Khun
Sa when he retired, has moved his troops and his operation to a new
location just across the border from Chiang Rai province, according to
informed sources.

	Last Sunday, Wei moved his family from the township of Yawn about 40
kilometres northward to Ban Hoong village, opposite Ban Therdthai village
in Chiang Rai's Mae Fa Luang district, the sources said.

	His soldiers, known as battalion 361, followed him, with the last of
them moving out of the old base yesterday.

	The deputy eastern commander of the United Wa State Army (UWSA), Takap,
who is also based in Yawn, confirmed the relocation yesterday. He said
the UWSA was relieved by the move, because it now had sole charge of the
township.

	Sources also said that Wei, or Prasit Cheewinnittipanya, 47, took along
with him about 500 children he was raising at his own kindergarten.

	Wei, who is wanted by US authorities which have offered a US$20,000
reward for his arrest, is emerging as a powerful drug kingpin whose
profile in the underworld is slowly overshadowing retired drug warlord
Khun Sa.

	He largely controls the trade in drugs, particularly amphetamines, along
the Thai-Burmese border opposite Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong
Son.

	Sources said the UWSA was preparing to welcome Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, the
first secretary of the ruling State Peace and Development Council, in
Yawn tomorrow.

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