THAI-BURMESE BORDER SITUATION ALONG CHIANG MAI RIM

More Than Just The Thai and Burmese Armies On Patrol

Several problems exist at the northern border, including minority groups,
illegal entry of aliens and human trafficking as well as illicit drugs.

Despite the much publicized War on Drugs (that has brought Thailand to the
adverse notice of human rights groups around the world), problems continue
to exist because there are several narcotic stockpiles in areas inside
neighboring countries, especially Myanmar, where there are Wa group
soldiers located at the border to protect the benefits for their
government. And there are still orders from drug dealers on the Thai side
so there is movement from other countries.

Thai military forces located along the border consist of two Ad Hoc units
from 3rd Cavalry Department, Phetchabun province. The first is the 133rd
Cavalry Battalion responsible for the area of Wiang Haeng, Chiang Dao, and
Chai Prakan districts of Chiang Mai, while the second is the 133rd Cavalry
Battalion responsible for the area of Fang and Mae Ai districts of Chiang
Mai and Mae Chan districts of Chiang Rai province.

Col. Somsak Ninbancherdkul, the commander of the Ad Hoc unit of the 133rd
Cavalry Battalion, said that the current situation in the area was not
considered to be border clashes, unlike those which happened during
2001-2002 that were very serious.

He believed that the skirmishes were not directly related to Thai-Burmese
hostilities, but were incorporated in fighting among Burmese minority
groups inside Myanmar when some of their shelling missed their targets and
fell on Thai soils. Another indirect clash was due to Thai Yai who crossed
the border into Thailand fleeing from the fighting. These incidents then
brought about confrontation between the two countries.

Following PM. Thaksin Shinawatra's visit to Myanmar in 2003, there had been
a much better relationship between Thailand and Myanmar both at higher
levels and between military personnel in local areas.

Cross-border trafficking still exists in the area under responsibility of
this unit, but less frequently. Previously there were trafficker caravans
five to six times each month, but this is down to one or two a month at
present.

Although these are pleasing figures, the amount of drugs being smuggled
across the border is still very high. From October 2003 to present, Pha
Muang Task Force has captured almost two million tablets amphetamine,
150,000 kilograms of heroin and 7,000 kilograms of opium.

The important drug depots close to the Thai frontier are at Ban Thai Luang
opposite Mae Hong Son province. In this area, they enter Thailand via Ban
Nam Lee Sor Boh Mai, Ban Lee Sor Dong Sam Muen, and Huay Nam Dang.
Traffickers in the township of Jod opposite Wiang Haeng district enter the
kingdom through Man Alu pass. Ban Huay Orh and Ban Na Gong Mu 30 kilometers
opposite Wiang Haeng district is another important drug depot.

Traffickers in Ban Phya Kid and Ban Huay Yod opposite Fang and Mae Ai
districts enter through passes at Ban Pha Hom Pok and Ban Na Ma Ouen, as
well as Doi Sam Sao pass in area of Mae Ai district. They will go further
to Ban Santisuk in Pai district of Mae Hong Son province. Some of them come
from Ban Pang Fang from the Wa group located above Chiang Rai province.

Military officers admitted that traffickers were able to sneak in through
many spots along the Thai-Burmese border.

According to current assessment there are around 2,600 Burmese troops along
their border regions.

Another problem is the lack of clearly defined boundaries, so the regions
can see Thai, Burmese and Wa all on patrol. Myanmar authorities have two
objectives in locating troops in this area. The first is to put pressure
and suppress the ethnic minority group army forces of the Shan State Army
(SSA) or the Thai Yai people. The second objective is to control
checkpoints with the attendant benefits along the border from people and
goods passing through.

There are two major ethnic minority forces. The first group is from the Wa
which looks after the area for the Burmese government. This group has the
United Wa State Army (UWSA) responsible for the southern part at Ban Hong.
This army has stationed 250 of its soldiers in the area of Lak Taeng pass,
Doi Fai area opposite Wiang Haeng district; another 180 soldiers opposite
Kiew Pha Wog; 1,000 soldiers opposite Chai Prakarn district; and 1,200
soldiers opposite Mae Ai district.

The second ethnic minority group is the Shan State Army (SSA) led by Col.
Yodsuek. This army has Khun Saeng Ton Hung Group (250 soldiers) located in
Doi Kham area opposite Wiang Haeng district; Don Joeng Group (100 soldiers)
at Doi Mayom Men opposite Wiang Haeng district; and Sua Khan Fah Group (200
soldiers) at Doi San Ju of Fang district.

The minority groups are using guerilla tactics while the Burmese Army is
putting pressure on the SSA. In the meantime, Thailand remains watchful.