Shan State’s Regional Commanders are reportedly planning to hold a drug bonfire on the UN World Anti-Drugs Day, on June 26, at Kengtung, the capital of Shan State East,  according to a reliable source close to the junta authorities.
 
Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council and Commander of Northeastern Region Command, Maj-Gen Aung Than Htut, Chairman of Shan State (South) Peace and Development Council and Commander of Eastern Region Command, Brig-Gen Ya Pyae, and Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council and Commander of Kengtung-based Triangle Region Command, Brig-Gen Kyaw Phyoe have discussed the matter two days ago in Kengtung, he said.
 
A number of journalists are expected to be invited to observe the event.
 
There has been no further information about what was discussed. But, some border watchers claim the discussion could not only be about drugs, but also about how to tackle the current stalemate with the ceasefire groups.
 
A Thai border security official said he had also received the same information. “They [junta] have not invited us yet. Maybe they are sending the invitations directly to Bangkok,” he said.
 
Drugs seized in Tachilek, have already been transported to Kengtung for the occasion, said a source in Maesai.
 
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) reported that Burma’s drug output had increased by 3 percent during the 2007-08 season.
 
The UNODC is yet to release its report on the 2008-09 season. But, sources in Shan State confirmed that the output had gone down mainly because of adverse weather and partly due to destruction campaigns launched by the Army.