A Burmese Army soldier from a Thai-Burma border base deserted to the anti-Naypyitaw Shan State Army (SSA) ‘South’s recently, according to Thai and Shan security sources.

He was identified as Than Sein (26) from Monghta of Shan State East’s Mongton Township where the Tachile-based Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) # 529 is currently stationed. He was welcomed by the SSA ‘South’s Lt-Col Yawd Fa, who is based in Loilam, opposite Chiangmai’s Wiang Haeng District on 4 August, said a source.

He brought along with him: 1 MA-1automatic rifle, 497 MA-1 cartridges, 1 M-14 landmine and three magazines, a senior SSA officer said.

The defector Than Sein also known as Sai Kham, said his reason for deserting was because he was forced to do heavy chores and forced to do sentry duty constantly both by the commander and also other privates.

“They [Burmese Army soldiers] bullied us because we are ethnics. They forced us to be on sentry duty for at least twice a night,” he said. “If we did not comply, we were punched. We did not have time to rest.” He is now reportedly suffering from temporary deafness.

According to him, there were two ethnic nationals among the soldiers at the Monghta base. The other one was said to be an ethnic Pa-O youth. He still remains at the base.

Than Sein is ethnic Shan from Shan State South’s Mongkeung Township. He was forcibly recruited by the Burmese Army soldiers on the way to a nearby township, Kunhing to sell oranges, he said.

“I met them [the soldiers] when they were patrolling. And they forced me to porter theirs bags and things to areas in Kengtung. I was not allowed to return afterwards and was forced to become a soldier since,” he recalled.

He had served for four months, from March 2010 until he deserted.

Many reports of defections from the Burmese Army have also come up every month after missile expert Maj Sai Thein Win’s defection in February. Due to frequent reports, Lt-Gen Myint Hlaing then passed an order in June to every subordinate level command to prevent its own men from deserting. If someone is reported fleeing from a unit, the commander concerned will be held responsible for the desertions. In addition, he would also be given heavy punishment and would be forced to resign from the Tatmadaw, if his men are reported to have defected to opposition groups.

In the past few years, more than a hundred Burmese Army officers were said to have deserted.

The border-based group Network for Democracy and Development (NDD), quoting documents it had compiled, reported on 23 March 2007 that the Burmese Army, with 215 infantry battalions and 340 light infantry battalions totaling 555 in September 2006, had been losing about 10,000 men every four months, most of them through desertions. The NDD is known for its annual publication of updates on Burma’s armed forces.