At least 9 people including children have been killed and several more injured on the border between Shan State’s Mongton township and Chiangmai since the annual water splashing festival last month, according to sources on the border.
“The casualties include cattle and other domestic animals,” said a Thai security officer this morning.
The minefields were planted by the United Wa State army (UWSA)’s Thai-Burmese border-based 171st Military Region, he added. “They told us that it was to protect the Wa reputation concerning drugs,” he said, “because every time a drug shipment is seized in Thailand, the finger is pointed at the Wa. But we believe that increased tension between the Wa and the Burma Army may be another reason.”
The relationship between the two sides have deteriorated since fighting between the Burma army and the UWSA’s allies in the north: Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Shan State Army (SSA) and Ta-ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has intensified.
In Mongton township, the Burma Army has recently stepped up its activities:
- Return of the heavy weapons crew to Loi Khilek mountain that overlooks the UWSA’s Mong Kyawd
- Resumption of patrols in the countryside
- Reinforcements by units from neighboring townships
The UWSA has warned residents of Mongton that they use only two passages if they are coming to Thailand, according an aid worker in Fang, 160 km north of Chiangmai:
- Mongton-Pongpakhem-Nawng Ook (Arunothai) road, known as BP1
- Mongton-Nakawngmu-Ta Kwang-Khawk Woe-Hwe Pa Khi-Naw Lae –Fang
“There should be no landmines between borders,” the Thai security officer told SHAN.
Burma is not a signatory to the 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. It is not alone. Three of the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council: China, Russia and the US have not joined it either.
