SSA: Blame junta for druglord on the loose

by admin — last modified 2009-02-19 07:50

Naw Kham, former pro-junta militia leader who again made headlines by shooting at a Chinese cargo ship on the Mekong yesterday, remains free because of the ruling military junta’s support for him, according to the anti Rangoon Shan State Army (SSA) South.
Naw Kham



By SHAN
19 February 2009
Thai-Burma Relations

“Otherwise, how can he move freely in the area?” ask Lt-Col Gawnzeun, Commander of the Kengtung Force. “He’s been surrounded on all sides by Burma, Lao and Thai forces.”

His boss Col Yawdserk, leader of the SSA, agreed. “When our troops were there, the Burma Army kept chasing us without let-up,” he said. “But it doesn’t seem to care much about Naw Kham’s presence in the area.”

Not quite, said a Thai security source. Following the meeting between Burmese and Lao authorities on 7 February, reportedly through Chinese pressure, the two had resolved to cooperate on the apprehension of Naw Kham, the new “Lord of the Golden Triangle,” dead or alive, according to him.

The Burma Army unit stationed in Mongphong, opposite Lao’s Muong Mom, almost immediately gave chase following the shootings in the river where 1 Chinese was killed and 3 others wounded, according to Thai media reports.

“That could be a simulation,” said Gawnzeun. “He can’t get away if you really want to catch him. I’d certainly wish to give it a try, as he’s been taxing traders using our name.”

Naw Kham had also shot up a Chinese patrol boat on 25 February last year wounding 3 Chinese officers.



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