Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Friday, February 1, 2008
Activists wish "Unhappy Bad day" to Than Shwe
by admin — last modified 2008-02-01 11:01
On 1 February 2008 at 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, Lanna Action for Burma (LAB) organized General Than Shwe's "bad day" event at Chiang Mai University, Social Science building 4, over his human right abuses on the peoples of Burma for over 20 years. Foreigners, Thai people and some Burmese people participated in the "World's 10 worst Dictators" third place winner's pre-birthday "celebration".
By Mu Byan Binn and Lieng Lern (Tel:++6683 1537724)
"Although we know the end of Than Shwe's power is so very close we still would like to mark this day. After all he deserves to have many bad-day wishes. For 50 million people in Burma, everyday is a bad day because of the atrocities of successive military regimes. He has the power to change his fate, not just try and avoid it. We want him held responsible," said Cynthia Hill, a member of LAB.
Unhappybadday_thanshwe
"I think it is great that there are groups around the world who are wishing Than Shwe an unhappy bad day. For us in Australia this is a new way of bringing the attention….so, for me it is great, and it shows the strength of people outside Burma have come together," expressed Jessica Krummel who is a participant and who is also a coordinator of Australia Burma Network.
The group sang ”unhappy bad day” song for Than Shwe then cut the pink cake decorated in women panty shape and fed to dogs.
"The media role is very important, we are organizing this activity and other activities and we really hope to get media attention to our work, so that the media can bring this information to everywhere", answered Ying Tzarm, who is an activist, when asked how they are going to get their messages across.
Women's articles are used for anti-Than Shwe campaigns to remove him from the power because it is believed that contact with items used by women below the navel can lessen men's power.
Senior General Than Shwe will turn 75 tomorrow, 2 February 2008.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Border opening a one-sided love affair
by admin — last modified 2008-01-31 08:47
Hundreds of Thai entrepreneurs who turned up at the opening ceremony of the Kiu Phawok border pass between Chiangmai and Burma’s Mongton this morning amid the unexpected downpour were disappointed when the other side of the border remained empty of humanity.
Border opening a one-sided love affair
“It (the opening) is good for the people on both sides of the border,” one distressed trader told S.H.A.N. “Why should the Burmese leaders want to keep us apart if they are working for the good of their people?”
People in Mongton have also expressed their wish to reopen the Kiu Phawok border, also known as BP-1 (Boundary Post #1), closed since 2002 following confrontations between the two countries’ armies over the issue of drug influx from Burma, according to SHAN sources on the border.
Thailand presented its proposal to reopen the border pass at the Township Border Committee (TBC) meeting in November. Burma so far has yet to respond to it.
Thai business sector had reportedly consulted Col Yawdserk, leader of the anti-junta Shan State Army (SSA) South, of the likelihood of increased drug flow due to the reopening. “I told them the drug trade doesn’t have to depend on official border passes for its mobility,” said the 50-year old SSA chief. “You don’t seem to be concerned about the existing border checkpoints. So why should you worry about an additional one. I say open as many as you like. It is good for the people.”
Thailand and Burma have 4 permanent border checkpoints:
* Maesai-Tachilek
* Maesod-Myawaddy
* Three Pagodas
* Ranong-Kawsawng (Kawthaung)
Pimsorn Thuamsri, Chairwoman of the Muangna Tambon Administrative Organization (TAO), Chiangdao district, Chaingmai Province, who presided over the opening ceremony, said, “When the border is closed, both the Thai and Burmese governments lose, because people and goods are still crossing the border through unofficial routes, but there is no revenue to help develop the border areas. We hope the Burmese government will act in the best interests of the people on both sides and reciprocate our goodwill soon.”
The Kiu Phawok border pass, before 2002, was opened three days a week: Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Main imports from Burma were beans, sesame, cattle and timber while Thailand exported fuel oil and processed foodstuffs, according to a TAO official.
Hundreds of Thai entrepreneurs who turned up at the opening ceremony of the Kiu Phawok border pass between Chiangmai and Burma’s Mongton this morning amid the unexpected downpour were disappointed when the other side of the border remained empty of humanity.
Border opening a one-sided love affair
“It (the opening) is good for the people on both sides of the border,” one distressed trader told S.H.A.N. “Why should the Burmese leaders want to keep us apart if they are working for the good of their people?”
People in Mongton have also expressed their wish to reopen the Kiu Phawok border, also known as BP-1 (Boundary Post #1), closed since 2002 following confrontations between the two countries’ armies over the issue of drug influx from Burma, according to SHAN sources on the border.
Thailand presented its proposal to reopen the border pass at the Township Border Committee (TBC) meeting in November. Burma so far has yet to respond to it.
Thai business sector had reportedly consulted Col Yawdserk, leader of the anti-junta Shan State Army (SSA) South, of the likelihood of increased drug flow due to the reopening. “I told them the drug trade doesn’t have to depend on official border passes for its mobility,” said the 50-year old SSA chief. “You don’t seem to be concerned about the existing border checkpoints. So why should you worry about an additional one. I say open as many as you like. It is good for the people.”
Thailand and Burma have 4 permanent border checkpoints:
* Maesai-Tachilek
* Maesod-Myawaddy
* Three Pagodas
* Ranong-Kawsawng (Kawthaung)
Pimsorn Thuamsri, Chairwoman of the Muangna Tambon Administrative Organization (TAO), Chiangdao district, Chaingmai Province, who presided over the opening ceremony, said, “When the border is closed, both the Thai and Burmese governments lose, because people and goods are still crossing the border through unofficial routes, but there is no revenue to help develop the border areas. We hope the Burmese government will act in the best interests of the people on both sides and reciprocate our goodwill soon.”
The Kiu Phawok border pass, before 2002, was opened three days a week: Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Main imports from Burma were beans, sesame, cattle and timber while Thailand exported fuel oil and processed foodstuffs, according to a TAO official.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Military authorizes logging
by admin — last modified 2008-01-29 09:51
Burma’s military authorities have allowed a militia chief to cut teakwood in Kengtawng, Southern Shan State, according to local sources.
By: Lieng Lern
Permit was given to Mahaja and his partner to log between Kengtawng and Kengkham, a strip of teak forest between Kunhing and Mongnai Townships. Trucks 10 wheels, 16 wheels and 18 wheels carry teak logs from Kengtawng to Kunhing, where they are gathered.
“About 20 vehicles, 16 and 18 wheels, working at Tasang dam on the Salween River are also employed to carry teak for Mahaja,” one villager said.
From Kunhing, teakwood is transported to the Salween and then across the river to Panghsang, the Wa capital, on the Sino-Burma border for trade with China.
“If the vehicles can drive up the hill, they will bring big saws to cut the trees. If not, they will use small saws. After that they will use elephants to pull the teak out of the jungle,” he added. “The people employed to cut timber are paid Kyat 150,000 ($120) per ton. There are 6 elephants whose owner is Hking Sai from Kunmoeng village tract, Kengtawng sub-Township”.
The SSS Company that has been given the concession belongs to Mahaja, who surrendered in 1996 with Khun Sa. He is also the leader of the militia force in Homong, the former base of Khun Sa, on the Thai-Burma border. Mahaja has trading offices in Langkho, Mongnai, Namsang, Loilem, Mongpawn and Taunggyi.
His partner is Nang Hseng Awng, 27, from Kengkham.
Burma’s military authorities have allowed a militia chief to cut teakwood in Kengtawng, Southern Shan State, according to local sources.
By: Lieng Lern
Permit was given to Mahaja and his partner to log between Kengtawng and Kengkham, a strip of teak forest between Kunhing and Mongnai Townships. Trucks 10 wheels, 16 wheels and 18 wheels carry teak logs from Kengtawng to Kunhing, where they are gathered.
“About 20 vehicles, 16 and 18 wheels, working at Tasang dam on the Salween River are also employed to carry teak for Mahaja,” one villager said.
From Kunhing, teakwood is transported to the Salween and then across the river to Panghsang, the Wa capital, on the Sino-Burma border for trade with China.
“If the vehicles can drive up the hill, they will bring big saws to cut the trees. If not, they will use small saws. After that they will use elephants to pull the teak out of the jungle,” he added. “The people employed to cut timber are paid Kyat 150,000 ($120) per ton. There are 6 elephants whose owner is Hking Sai from Kunmoeng village tract, Kengtawng sub-Township”.
The SSS Company that has been given the concession belongs to Mahaja, who surrendered in 1996 with Khun Sa. He is also the leader of the militia force in Homong, the former base of Khun Sa, on the Thai-Burma border. Mahaja has trading offices in Langkho, Mongnai, Namsang, Loilem, Mongpawn and Taunggyi.
His partner is Nang Hseng Awng, 27, from Kengkham.
Fight leaves 8 dead
by admin — last modified 2008-01-28 09:43
40 soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion 517 guarding Major-General Thaung Aye Commander of Taunggyi, the capital city of Shan State, had a clash with Shan State Army and 7 soldiers of SPDC and 1 fighter from SSA were killed in the fight, according to sources from Southern Shan State.
By: Kwarn Lake
On 21st of this month, two soldiers from Loi Tai Leng based Shan State Army (SSA), came into Mu Nao village, Mong Nang tract in Kehsi Township for information gathering. While they were walking through the village with a walkie-talkie and with no weapons, they were shot by the bodyguards of Major-General Thaung Aye who were patrolling the village while he was inspecting the coal fields.
A soldier from SSA died on the spot and another one escaped to the south of the village. One of the villagers said, "The SPDC soldiers followed the one who was escaping and fell into the trap of SSA. They ran into over 20 SSA soldiers. The shooting started from 6:30 am to 11 am. Five SPDC soldiers died on the spot and two died at the hospital from fatal wounds."
It is unknown how many guns have been seized from both sides. After more than 4 hours of fighting, both side retreated their troops and the sound of shooting guns became quiet, said the villager.
Guided by 8 soldiers from Mongzeun military group, (formally from Brigade 758 of SSA that surrendered in July 2006) Maj-Gen Thaung Aye, Commander of Taunggyi-based Burma Army's Eastern Region Command was in the area to inspect the excavation of coal.
40 soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion 517 guarding Major-General Thaung Aye Commander of Taunggyi, the capital city of Shan State, had a clash with Shan State Army and 7 soldiers of SPDC and 1 fighter from SSA were killed in the fight, according to sources from Southern Shan State.
By: Kwarn Lake
On 21st of this month, two soldiers from Loi Tai Leng based Shan State Army (SSA), came into Mu Nao village, Mong Nang tract in Kehsi Township for information gathering. While they were walking through the village with a walkie-talkie and with no weapons, they were shot by the bodyguards of Major-General Thaung Aye who were patrolling the village while he was inspecting the coal fields.
A soldier from SSA died on the spot and another one escaped to the south of the village. One of the villagers said, "The SPDC soldiers followed the one who was escaping and fell into the trap of SSA. They ran into over 20 SSA soldiers. The shooting started from 6:30 am to 11 am. Five SPDC soldiers died on the spot and two died at the hospital from fatal wounds."
It is unknown how many guns have been seized from both sides. After more than 4 hours of fighting, both side retreated their troops and the sound of shooting guns became quiet, said the villager.
Guided by 8 soldiers from Mongzeun military group, (formally from Brigade 758 of SSA that surrendered in July 2006) Maj-Gen Thaung Aye, Commander of Taunggyi-based Burma Army's Eastern Region Command was in the area to inspect the excavation of coal.
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