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The Nation (3/8/1999)



Wa moving base close to Thai plains

WITH Thailand this week set to announce the indefinite closure of a
northern border checkpoint to prevent the flow of drugs from Burma, leading
police generals and Kanchanaburi authorities have warned that the Burmese
ethnic Wa faction is moving its narcotics base close to Thailand's central
plains. 

Citing reliable information, Kanchanaburi police chief Maj Gen Surat
Yuthayothin said yesterday his bureau had already set up a special task
force to monitor the Wa's activities from Burma's northeastern Shan state
down to the south of the country. 

The task force is led by Kanchanaburi deputy police chief Col Jaroon
Srisombat and Army Lt Col Sanong Pithaksakul, head of the Army's 33rd Task
Force which overseas provincial anti-drugs activities. 

''We heard of it [the Wa relocation of its narcotics production base]
several days ago and subsequently had internal discussions on how to deal
with the matter,'' said Surat. 

The United Wa State Army, which has had a ceasefire deal with the Burmese
junta since 1989, has relied on the sale of drugs as its main source of
income to sustain its huge forces. Although its headquarters is in
Panghsang on the Shan state border with China's Yunnan province, the group
has in recent years strengthened its southern command at Mong Yawn, which
is opposite Chiang Mai's Mae Aie district. 

Surat said the 33rd Task Force and police stations in all border districts
-- Thong Pha Phum, Si Sawat, Sai Yok, Sangkhla Buri and Muang -- have been
placed on a 24-hour alert and instructed to watch out for any untoward
activities. 

He said the special task force in close cooperation with the 9th Army
Division and the Phra Putthayordfah Border Patrol Police have sent out
surveillance units to monitor the Wa movement and will launch a crack-down
if they detect illicit activities in the area. 

Kanchanaburi Governor Sak Dechacharn said he was aware of the Wa's
movements and will today call a meeting of all civil and military agencies
concerned to work out preventive measures against the group expanding its
drugs empire. 

''All agencies involved must closely cooperate to totally eliminate the
drug menace. If we detect any Wa movements, all will cooperate to
immediately crack down [on the group],'' he said. 

Kanchanaburi, Thailand's third-largest province, shares 170 kms of frontier
with Burma. The province has three key crossing points with Burma's Mon

State at Three Pagoda Pass, Morakha Pass in Sangkhla Buri and Bongti Pass
in Sai Yok. 

Provincial authorities feel that the Wa might try to establish a narcotics
production base near or inside the Thung Yai wildlife sanctuary, a
sprawling Unesco World Heritage nature reserve which covers Kanchanaburi's
Sangkhla Buri, Thong Pha Phum and Tak's Umphang district. 

But if the Kanchanaburi officials' speculation proves true, the Wa would
find themselves clashing with other Burmese rebel groups, including the
Karens, the Mons and the Shan as they make their way down the rugged border. 

The Karen and the Mon have been staunchly opposed to illicit drug
activities, while the Shan State Army has launched a number of military
campaigns against drug traffickers to gain internal support. 

The Wa has recently shifted from the production of heroin to more lucrative
and highly profitable amphetamines and has eyed Thailand as its main target
of consumption. 

Facing a drastic increase in amphetamine abuse among its youth, Thailand
has tried to stem the growing Wa southern power base which has been
consolidated over the years from drugs proceeds and easy access to Thai
subsistence and construction material through a porous frontier with
northern Thailand. 

The recent Wa attacks on Thai villagers and authorities prompted the
government to consider closing some of the northern crossings to Shan state. 

National Security Council (NSC) chief Khachadpai Burusapatana said
yesterday that Thailand would certainly ''close down indefinitely'' the
Baan San Ton Doo crossing which was opened a year ago for communications
between the two countries. 

He said the final decision will be made in a meeting tomorrow of the
subcommittee on border crossings headed by him. 

Khachadpai said the checkpoint was initially opened for economic purposes,
but now that it has been used as the main conduit for drugs, its closure
would be good for Thailand. 

''The closure will be indefinite until the situation and problems which
affect our national security disappear. Its reopening will require approval
from the subcommittee on border crossings,'' he explained. 

The NSC chief said Thailand had informed the Burmese junta of its decision
to close the San Ton Doo checkpoint. Although the crossing was opened under
special consideration without official agreement with the Burmese
government, Thailand did not want to create any misunderstanding from its
closure. 

Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan said yesterday that Rangoon did not object
to the Thai action when informed about the move. 

Deputy Defence Minister Gen Wattanachai Wuthisiri said the closing was not
the result of a conflict with Burma but an attempt by Thailand to stop the
trafficking of amphetamines into the kingdom. 

The Nation