Thai military tells UWSA to move camps away from Thai-Myanmar border

The United Wa State Army (UWSA) has confirmed reports that it has been told by Thailand’s military to move nine of its camps in southern Shan State away from the Thai-Myanmar border. The powerful ethnic armed group was reportedly ordered by Thai military officials to dismantle the camps during a recent meeting in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai. However, the camps remain in place, prompting the Thai side to strengthen its military presence along the border, according to UWSA spokesperson Nyi Yan. “The Thai side has built up its forces, while on our side, everything remains as usual,” Nyi Yan told Myanmar Now on Tuesday. According to Thai news outlet Khaosod, artillery units from Thailand’s 3rd Army region, stationed near border areas adjacent to the UWSA’s 171st military region, have been placed on standby amid the rising tensions between the two sides. It added that the UWSA has also reportedly fortified its camps with numerous heavy weapons since refusing to meet the Thai military’s demands. Nyi Yan said the current situation stems from territorial disputes that should be resolved through intergovernmental negotiations. “This matter is beyond us. It is a state-level issue that requires diplomatic talks. We’ve already reported it to the head of the country,” he said, referring to Myanmar’s military junta. Last week, the Mekong News Agency, an independent news outlet based in eastern Shan State, reported that officers from the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army, a rival ethnic armed group, were present during an inspection of the UWSA camps by Thai military officials on November 20, possibly giving rise to the current tensions. However, Nyi Yan declined to confirm the accuracy of these reports, stating that he had not been fully informed of the situation.

Thai military tells UWSA to move camps away from Thai-Myanmar border

The powerful ethnic armed group has refused to dismantle the camps, prompting Thailand to build up its forces along the border

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