A United Wa State Army (UWSA) officer who shot to prominence during the last two years was suddenly transferred to a lower position earlier this month, according to confirmed reports from the Sino-Burmese border.
Sai Hsu aka Li Aisu, around 40, commander of one of the strongest brigades, the 468th that is responsible for defense against attacks coming from Mongyang and Mong Khark, is now responsible only for civilian administration in Mongpawk district, which is considered part of Mongyang township by Naypyitaw.
The reason for his removal is still a puzzle to outsiders and insiders are unwilling to say anything about it.
But Sai Hsu is known to be close to Wei Xuegang, Commander of the Thai border based 171st Military Region and, according to an insider, the “remote control” of the UWSA. In 2010, he was promoted to succeed Sai Hsarm, the popular but blacklisted-by-China commander.
He is also reported to be on somewhat chilly terms with Bao Samrai, Commander of the 318th Brigade that is responsible for defense in the western sector.
He is known to be very wealthy. On 17 April, people who joined the celebrations in Mongpawk commemorating the Was’ successful overthrow of the Communist Party of Burma (CPB) saw two helicopters on display at the parade ground. “They were said to have been purchased out of his own pockets,” one admirer told SHAN.
It is not known who is going to replace him. But his deputy is Zhao Aiya.
The UWSA’s supreme leader Bao Youxiang meanwhile is yet to be fully recovered from his long illness. He is said to be suffering from trichinosis, which he got from eating uncooked pork when he was with the CPB, according to Merchants of Madness by Bertil Lintner and Michael Black (2009).
