Princess' Visit May Hold Key to Mag

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Subject: Princess' Visit May Hold Key to Magazine's Insult


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"Appropriate Information Technologies, Practical Strategies"
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July 24, 1994

PRINCESS' VISIT MAY HOLD KEY TO MAGAZINE'S INSULT

Anger by SLORC officials over Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's visit
to Shan State may have sparked the insulting reference to her in the Burmese
magazine, Myetkhin'thit.  The magazine is believed to be published by Burma's
military intelligence agency.  The magazine printed an insulting reference to
Princess Sirindhorn just prior to a personal visit she made to the city of
Kentung in Shan State on March 3 and 4, 1994.  The reference, in the February
1994 issue of Myetkhin'thit surprised many Burma observers because the Thai
government has been one of SLORC's few international supporters.

A reliable report has now emerged from Rangoon-based diplomats that senior
SLORC officials were angered at the time by Princess Sirindhorn's visit to
Shan State.  Princess Sirindhorn drove from northern Thailand directly to
Kentung without going through Rangoon or meeting SLORC senior leaders. 
According to the diplomats reports, the visit may have exacerbated fears of
Shan separatism by SLORC leaders.  Whether there is a direct connection
between anger on the part of SLORC officials and the magazine article has not
been established, but if there is a link, it would explain an otherwise
puzzling incident.

Shans and Thais are ethnically related and their languages are mutually
intelligible.  During the Second World War, Thailand, on the side of Japan,
invaded Burma in an attempt to annex the Shan State.  The move failed because
the Allied powers won the war.

In May 1994, Shan warlord Khun Sa, who has declared Shan independence from
Rangoon, dropped hints that he would like to see the Shan State become part
of Thailand.  Burma's military regime has long avoided a direct conflict with
Khun Sa but his vocal calls for independence or union with Thailand has
according to some observers, prompted the current SLORC offensive in Shan
State.


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>From The Nation (Bangkok), March 3, 1994

PRINCESS ON PRIVATE BURMA VISIT

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will make a private two-
day visit to the Burmese city of Kentung starting today, Radio Thailand
reported last night.

It said the princess will leave for Kentung, in east-central Shan State about
165 km from the border with Thailand by car from Chiang Rai.

She will be accompanied by Thailand's ambassador to Rangoon and the governor
of Kentung, it said, adding that the princess will return to Chiang Rai the
next day.

Kentung, a city of some 500,000 people, is known for its beautiful temples
and culture.


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