Khun Sa's retreat brings new problem
Sermsuk Kasitipradit, Wassana Nanuam and Subin Khuenkaew
| Thai and Burmese military commanders shake hands after exchanging New Year gifts at Doi Lang. -- Wassana Nanuam |
Once controlled by former drug warlord Khun Sa's Mong Tai Army, the land now is sandwiched between thousands of troops which Thailand and Burma have deployed to prevent it from being seized by either side.
The military standoff in the area began in early 1996, following Khun Sa's surrender to the Burmese government on Feb 12 that year.
The former drug warlord had once used the area as his headquarters before the United Wa State Army, with strong military support from the Burmese military junta, evicted Khun Sa's MTA from the territory.
Khun Sa then moved his men to his new headquarters in Homong, opposite Mae Hong Son.
"We were all surprised to see Burmese soldiers marching into our village in early 1996.
"They asked us about the location of Thai military outposts in the area," recalled a villager in Ban Pang Nai, located a few kilometres from the disputed border zone.
Burmese soldiers were instructed to set up camps in the disputed area early in 1996.
The Third Army also reinforced its men after the Burmese army turned down a proposal for troop withdrawal to create a de-militarised zone in order to save unnecessary expenditure until both sides could settle their claim on the territory.
"Demarcation of the border line here will be the most complicated, since both sides use different maps while there is no clear natural boundary," noted an observer.
It is estimated that around 1,500-2,000 Burmese soldiers are currently in the area while the Third Army has deployed around 500-800 cavalry soldiers and paramilitary rangers at 11 military outposts, facing the Burmese military camps along the borderline.
The disputed area, known generally as Doi Lang, covers an area of 16sqkm and has several hills including Doi Lang, Doi Laem, Doi Song Jik and Doi Mark Lang.
About 15km further north is Mong Yawn, the UWSA's southern military command.
The UWSA is widely regarded as the largest drug trafficking group in the Golden Triangle.
Third Army commander Lt-Gen Wattanachai Chaimuengwong is confident the tension will not become an open conflict.
"The demarcation of the border will be settled by the General Border Committee. I see no problem there," he said.
Lt-Col Chainarong Kaewkla, commander of the Third Cavalry Regiment's 15th cavalry battalion which is in charge of security in the disputed area, said his mission is to safeguard the land and prevent it from being seized by the Burmese.
The cavalry battalion is part of Pha Mueng Task Force, led by Maj-Gen Somboonkiat Sitthidecha, commander of the First Cavalry Division.
His forces supervise the 900km-long border from Chiang Mai to Phitsanulok.
The cavalry officer is fully aware of the sensitivity of the situation since a number of Thai and Burmese military outposts are located opposite one another.
The battalion commander said both sides understand well that no one stood to gain should fighting start, and have therefore tried to avoid a confrontation.
"Misunderstandings in the area must be swiftly resolved since it might escalate.
"All unit commanders in the area have clear guidelines that any problem must be settled peacefully," said a junior cavalry officer posted at one of the army's 11 military outposts.
Burmese military officers in the area have also been instructed by Rangoon to avoid clashes with Thai soldiers.
It is quite common to see Thai and Burmese soldiers play takraw or volleyball in the evenings on a playground jointly constructed for their daily sports activities.
Several Burmese officers are also frequent dinner guests.
"This undoubtedly helps strengthen our mutual understanding," said a platoon commander.
Recently, Lt-Col Chainarong invited several Burmese battalion commanders to dinner at the Giew Hoong military outpost overlooking Doi Lang.
Several Thai senior officers from Pha Mueng Task Force including Col Anuwat Jaksaen, deputy commander of Third Cavalry Regiment and Lt-Col Narain Siriphubal, chief of the task force's civilian affairs division, attended the party.
However, only a few junior Burmese officers showed up.
"We just wanted to show them our good faith.
"Sincerity will eventually lead to a long-lasting friendship," said Lt-Col Chainarong, who was surprised by the Burmese response to the invitation.
Every morning a number of Burmese soldiers, accompanied by their Thai counterparts, are given permission to walk across the border to buy food from local villagers.
However, when the Burmese government unilaterally declared the closure of the entire border during Oct 31-Nov 25, some Burmese soldiers reportedly felt upset for not being allowed to buy food from the Thai side.
A rumour was spread then that some frustrated Burmese soldiers who were barred from buying food from Thailand would train their fire on Thai helicopters dropping supplies for Thai soldiers posted in mountainous areas.
"Fortunately, there was no such provocation," one cavalry officer said.
The officer added, however, that it was unlikely the border dispute will be settled any time soon.
"This may last another 10 years," he said.