Most ethnic minorities fleeing from eastern Burma are recognized as refugees in Thailand, but the Shan are afforded no such status... "Occupying Burma?s largest state and with a population of about 5 million, the Shan, or Tai Yai, share a close cultural and historical identity with their Thai neighbors—the languages are similar and many Shan are able to assimilate easily within Thailand. In fact, many Shan people do not, or refuse to, speak Burmese. One million Shan currently live in Thailand, mostly in Chiang Mai Province and the northern region, where they have a reputation for being independent and hard working. After a drunk government soldier murdered her husband, Par Yuan and her childern fed to Thailand. (Photo: The Irrawaddy) The Thai authorities? official explanation as to why the Shan are not granted refugee status is that they have not fled war and persecution as entire communities. However, many observers say the real reason is to avoid opening the floodgates to an influx of Shan..."