New Boom Town for "Horse Pills":

[shan@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

1 June 1999 

A hitherto unknown Shan village near the Thai border has recently become
the jumpboard for methamphetamines for users in Thailand, says a informed
source. 

Nakawngmu, "Pagoda Paddy field", in Mongton Township, Monghsat District,
20-km across the border from Chiangdao District, Chiangmai Province has
become known to the local people as the new springboard for
methamphetamines, better known as Yaba,and even better as Yama, "horse
pills", which are being manufactured far up near the Chinese border. 

It used to be a village administered by the Lahu militia. But now the
junta's units are also stationed there with a commander of the area
operations command, Col. Sein Win. "Until last year, it was Hoyawd in
Monghsat Township, that used to be the main distribution center. Most of
the horse pills entered Thailand through Chiangrai. But since the drug
agents paid so much attention there resulting in several huge seizures,
they decided to move to Nakawngmu", said the source. "But I can't tell how
long it will last as a way station". 

Asked by SHAN, how the traffickers could survive under the eyes of the
junta officials, she said, "Nothing happens there that they don't like". 

"From Nakawngmu, the horse pills entered Thailand through a number of
routes via Fang, Chaiprakarn, Chiangdao and, to a lesser extent, Wianghaeng
districts", she added. She said the reason for this was the Shan States
Army led by Yawdserk had been active against the drug operators during the
past 7 months. 

"The SSA's activities have become so disturbing that traffickers and the
local Burmese commanders are working hand in hand to protect their
interests", said another source. "Weapons and uniforms from Thailand are
being purchased to form security teams". 

Yawdserk declared war on drug traffickers on 1 September 1998. He claimed
to have destroyed several refineries including one belonging to the junta's
secretary-2, Lt - General Tin Oo. 

Shans had joined Burma in 1947 under the treaty called Panglong Agreement
which guaranteed Full Autonomy, Human Rights and Democracy for them. They
have been fighting against successive Rangoon governments since the terms
of agreement were violated. Their main party is the Shan Nationalities
League for Democracy that won the General Elections in the Shan State in

1990 and their central armed movement is the Shan States Army. 

/// END \\\ 

For further information, please contact S.H.A.N. at: 
Shan Herald Agency for News. 
P.O. Box. 15 
Nonghoi P.O., 50007 
Chiangmai 
Thailand 
Ph/Fax: (053) 807 121
e-mail: <shan@xxxxxxxxxxxx>