Latest reports say that if the mastermind behind the Saturday Mekong attack on Burmese police boats is believed to be “Godfather” Naw Kham, it was meant to be a lesson for the police, according to local sources from the border.
On Saturday 20 February, 13 of Tachilek’s narcotic Burmese policemen were killed by unidentified gunmen and two injured, while they were on their way back from patrolling Hsarm Pu village on the Mekong bank on the north of the Golden Triangle. The attack took place on Pu Zien Island between Hsarm Pu and Pahsa villages, Mongphong tract, Tachilek Township.
Police officer Khin Maung Yin was among the dead, who included two boat owners from Wanpong village tract in Tachilek. But only four of the police officers are reported to have been carried back to Tachilek while the rest of the men were buried at Mongpong. “The four officers are to be buried on Tuesday,” said a source from Tachilek.
The two injured are deputy police officer Sein Hlaing and policeman Kimoo. However, there is no evidence about who the culprits were. But most people believe the assault was the handiwork of “Godfather” Naw Kham’s group as the incident apparently took place in his controlled areas.
Moreover, there were earlier reports that the police were considered by Naw Kham’ men as a disturbance. Because the police were said to have always been harassing the group by going in and out of areas where it is active.
“The group was said to have been fed up with their behaviour.”
A drug trader wanting to be anonymous said, “He [Naw Kham] is said to be associated with only the military authorities but not the police.”
Naw Kham was a former officer in the late Khun Sa’s Mong Tai Army (MTA). He surrendered with his boss to become a militia leader in Tachilek in 1996. Since then, he has been running a drug racket in the Golden Triangle area, where Burma’s Shan State, Laos and Thailand meet.
He reportedly pays kickbacks not only to the junta commanders from the local up to the regional command in the Burma side, but also to the Lao authorities. In addition, he is also said to be the only Shan who is trusted and respected by Lahu militias.
“No one dares to touch his possessions,” a source said, “For instance, unlike others his house and land in Tachilek have never been auctioned. And no one dares to buy even though authorities may dare to sell them.”
He has been reportedly under “hot pursuit” by both the Lao and the Burmese authorities since Saturday.
Chinese boats were attacked by Naw Kham group twice, in 2008 and in 2009, on the Mekong. “Since then his junta friends have advised him to lay off Chinese boats,” said a businessman in Thailand.
