21 May 2001

Thai-Burma Relations Take A Dive

Acrimonious charges and countercharges between Burma and Thailand have caused bilateral relations to sink to a new low. Military conflicts involving the Burmese and Thai Armies and ethnic nationalities from Burma are taking place at the border and unyielding positions assumed by both the countries and even a talk of war have aggravated the situation.

The contentious point between the two countries has been the flow of millions of methamphetamine tablets into Thailand. With the number of addicts growing, even among school children, Thailand wants Burma to help curb the drug flow by cracking down on the United Wa State Army (UWSA), which Thailand believes is behind the drug production and distribution. But, the generals are not complying with the Thai request because they do not want to jeopardize the cease-fire agreement they have concluded with the UWSA, an ethnic armed force that was a former ally of the Burma Communist Party and which could create a multitude of problems for the Burma Army. The generals therefore reject Thai accusations that UWSA, "a peace group working for regional and national development," is responsible for the drug flow. The generals also refute charges that Burma is the center of drug production. Home Minister Col Tin Hlaing was quoted as saying recently, "acetic anhydride, the major precursor chemical necessary for the production of heroin and ephedrine for the production of amphetamine-like stimulants are trafficked into Burma from India, China and Thailand" and not native to Burma.

Thailand is also uncomfortable with the rapid development of the Wa "drug city," Mong Yawn, near Thailand's Chiang Rai Province and accuses it of being developed with "income derived from drugs." It accuses the junta .of complicity and not doing enough to stop the drugs flow. The Wa leaders had moved some 50,000 people from Panghsang at China border southward to Mong Yawn. Thai security circles allege Rangoon wants to use Wa as a buffer against Thailand before trying to dislodge the Shan freedom fighters, while turning a blind eye on its drug activities.

The Nation on 4 May quoted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as saying he would "continue to pursue an aggressive campaign to stop the flow of illegal narcotics from Burma...such efforts should be carried out more in tandem with diplomatic efforts to resolve the tensions" and "the government is trying to get the military and the Foreign Ministry to work toward the same direction." Again on a Radio Thailand program on 5 May, Prime Minister Thaksin said he "placed emphasis on the suppression of narcotics produced in the areas along the common border by the ethnic groups--not the Burmese Government" and that as suppression operations are intensified, "border skirmishes are likely to occur."

Rangoon apparently did not agree to the Thai Prime Minister's proposed "suppression of narcotics produced in the areas along the common border by the ethnic groups." A statement released by the Burmese junta on 17 May said Burmese forces "would fight side-by-side with the ethnic Wa army accused by Thailand and the United States of involvement in the international drugs trade," and that "government forces would use their fire-power to defend Wa territory along the border," reported AFP.

The Consequences

With Burma refusing to tackle the Wa, Thailand has stepped up border patrols, tightened security along the border, and sought the help of other ethnic nationalities of Burma to monitor the porous border. This change in Thai position, which only a few years back was driving all ethnic forces along the border to enter into ceasefire arrangement with the junta, has increased tension at the border and resulted in more frequent armed conflicts.

Battle for Par Khee Outpost

Burma Army's Par Khee Outpost, located about 50 yards away from a Thai military base, was attacked by a Shan State Army force under Yawd Serk (Burma alleges Thai soldiers took part in the attack) on 22 April. The camp was overrun and six Burmese soldiers were killed in the night raid. According to SSA information officer Sai Tun the attack was "to avenge the massacre of 17 Shan nationals" and to show that the junta was "involved in narcotic drugs trafficking." According to Thai dailies, SSA reportedly seized about 150,000 amphetamine pills from Par Khee outpost. The SSA retreated from the hill outpost on 3 May "after accomplishing two objectives." In the ensuing battles before the retreat, the Burmese Army "lost 160 men while another 97 were wounded. But, the battles carried on for another two days--1 and 2 May. We heard that the SPDC lost over 50 soldiers. So far we do not know how many were wounded," said Sai Tun.

Rangoon Radio monitored in Mae Sot announced that at dawn on 3 May the Par Khee outpost which is "providing border security and defense and monitoring narcotic control and eradication" was recaptured by the Burma Army. The radio said, "the insurgents retreated to Thailand."

Battle for Hua Lon Hill

UWSA troops took over Hua Lon Hill camp "400m inside Thailand" in Fang District, Chiang Mai Province. According to Bangkok Post, Third Thai Army Chief Lt Gen Watthanachai said the incursion and takeover was "to protect two large drug plants and trafficking routes." Thai Army chief Surayud Chulanond, according to Bangkok Post of 8 May ordered "drastic measures" against the UWSA and Radio Thailand of the same day reported that Thai troops had fired artillery shells and grenades preparatory to retaking the hill. On 11 May The Nation reported that Hua Lon Hill had been recaptured "from ethnic Wa fighters" the previous day "following a four-day battle in which a dozen Wa fighters were killed." The Nation on 11 May said during the operation to recapture Hua Lon Hill "at least two F-16 jet fighters flew over the hill, 400 meters inside Thailand," and "buzzed another hot spot in Tak Province, in what is believed to have been a show of strength."

On 14 May, Bangkok Post Thai Supreme Commander Samphao Chusi claims that "Burma gave Thailand the green light to attack Red Wa troops who had captured Hua Lon hill" and that "there was no conflict between the Thai and Burmese military over the border incident." In fact, Gen Samphao continued, "Rangoon approved Thailand's retaliation against the rebels, but advised that care be taken to ensure no stray shells landed in Burmese territory."

KNU fights Burma Army, Thai Troops engage DKBA

AFP on 7 May reported that more than 100 KNU guerilla fighters besieged two Burmese Army bases about three km from the border in Thailand's Tha Song Yang district using grenade launchers and mortars. Five Burmese soldiers were killed and one injured while four KNU soldiers were seriously injured in the fighting, a KNU source said.

On 10 May, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army on Burma side engaged in a battle with Thai security forces when the DKBA fighters tried to cross the river into Thai territory north of Ban Muen Ruechai. "Thai security troops opened fire with mortars, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and assault rifles, forcing the intruders to retreat after about 15 minutes of fighting," said AFP. There were no reports of casualties.

Burma Demands Pullout, Thais see it as 'invitation to continue fighting'

Burma has for the past several months been contending that Thailand has encroached on its territory by setting up border outposts in the yet to be defined border areas. It has openly issued a challenge to Thailand now. Burma has officially stated that Thailand must withdraw from 35 military outposts maintained along the northern border. Thailand however is not ready to oblige. The Nation said on 15 May that "Thai security and army officials were quick to suggest Burma's demand was an invitation to continue fighting along the border," and noted that senior Thai military officials had dismissed the allegations that Thailand was intruding on Burmese territory. Army Chief General Surayud Chulanond said "the protest was nothing new, the issue had been discussed several times at the Township Border Committee and the Regional Border Committee, but not much progress had been made." In an interview published in Krungthep Thurakit on 15 May, Third Army Region Commander Lt. Gen. Watthanachai Chaimuanwong echoed this view: "The protest over the 35 locations belonging to Burma is not new. The local level units of the two countries could not agree on who those locations belonged to.. They have accused us of violating their territory. The problem will be solved if there is a joint border demarcation committee or technical committee for both sides to work on the issue...If the Burmese insisted on the current attitude, there will be year-round disputes over hill on which there are nothing but rocks and trees and over bare hilltops."

'External' Players
The China factor

Since the time of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai's Government Thailand had been seeking China's support over the drug problem. Thailand first raised the drug issue, and sought China's assistance, during Vice Chinese President Hu Jintao's official visit to Thailand in July last year. The request had been to get Burma to join the anti-drug efforts and Deputy Foreign Minister MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra discussed a regional structure to fight the narcotics problem with Chinese officials during a five-day visit to China in September last year. Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji arrived in Thailand on 19 May and, according to Kyodo, the Thai government hopes it will lead to more cooperation in anti-narcotics and economic efforts. The Nation commenting on the visit said "Zhu-Thaksin summit will wrestle with the question of the Beijing-backed Wa who produce drugs that China is supposed to cooperate with Thailand in suppressing." It said, "Less has been said about how much China's political and economic weight is vital to the existence of the Wa...China has failed to explain whether the Wa relocation to Mong Yawn was done with Bejing's collusion so that the guerrillas' drug production bases were moved away from the Chinese border."

The U.S. Factor

Bangkok Post on 17 May said, the United States has expressed support for Thailand's defense position in its standoff with Burma. The paper quoted Adm Dennis Blair, chief of the US Pacific Command, as saying, "As a military man, I support Thailand...The support that we have for Thailand in patrolling its border is an important part of our policy." The admiral was in Bangkok to open the 20th Cobra Gold military exercises joined by Thai, US and Singaporean forces, and to discuss anti-drugs co-operation with Thai authorities. The presence of a US Special Forces unit in the North was for training the army's Task Force 399 to fight drugs, he said. The task force is made up of elements of the Third Army and the Border Patrol Police. The US was also supplying two Black Hawk helicopters to the army as part of its modernization program.

An article in Myanmar Alin by Pho Khwa on 15 May accused that "the Thai Army is intentionally picking a fight with Myanmar. It is quite evident that many attempts are being made to provoke Myanmar and make it explode with anger." The Burmese press has been concerned that the deliberate provocations are "a plot" hatched by the "imperialist bloc" to attack Burma.

Burmese Military on High Alert

A Recent Democratic Voice of Burma reports say, "the generals are greatly concerned about the Thai-US joint military exercise and has ordered all tactical command headquarters and tactical command units along the Thai-Burma border to be on heightened military awareness and to keep one anti-aircraft battery and an auxiliary battery on readiness. The anti-aircraft batteries will include 0.5 and 0.12 machine guns while fighter planes from military airbases in the region are also ordered to be prepared. On one hand the military is put on high alert while on the other hand anti-Thai and anti-US instigations have been carried out through the publications and the media." A DVB report also said, "more artillery, rockets and grenade launchers have been sent to reinforce military units in southern Kawthaung District, which borders Thailand. In addition "all army, navy, and air force border security units are on 24-hour high alert while various communication links are also being tested for readiness."

Burma's Kyemon daily on 29 April carried an article by "Htilar Sitthu" calling on Defense Services personnel to "wage the just war against invading enemies in the battlefield and crushing them. Victory lies only in your hands. Wage a hundred wars and win a hundred victories."

Rangoon Radio recently reported that Commander in Chief of Defense Forces Gen Maung Aye told a class of graduating Army officers on 11 May that "the Yawd Serk-led drug trafficking bandits, who are unable to get a foothold in the country, are being manipulated by the neighboring country which tried to create a problem and cunningly blame Burma for its narcotic drugs and other problems...The neighboring country in an undignified way supported Yawd Serk and provided him with much needed manpower and weaponry. I would like to inform you that remnant KNU members and opposition groups were accepted and given sanctuary in a similar manner."

Anti-Thai campaign

The Democratic Voice of Burma said on 17 May that the junta's Office of Strategic Studies (OSS) has directed all publishers to include anti-Thai articles in their publications and to use the term "Yodaya" when referring to Thais (Burmese people refer to Thais as Yodaya, or people of the ancient Thai capital of "Ayutthaya," which the Burmese destroyed in a military conquest. Since the term is not normally derogatory, the OSS order may have something to do with astrological beliefs that the generals are fixated on). DVB said, "A Rangoon publisher confirmed to DVB that all articles using the word Thai have been either censored or held in abeyance. Furthermore, DVB has learned that the military government has labeled those who use Thai products and commodities as national traitors and is also erecting anti-Thai products billboards nationwide."

The Lighter Side

Thai businesses seem to be taking advantage of the developments at the Burma border to promote their products. Advertisements appearing on Thai television show a small group of Thai soldiers surrounded by a large number of Burmese troops take "M150" stimulant beverages and forced the enemy to flee, or a Thai woman is shown making a quick getaway from chasing Burmese soldiers by a Honda "Dream" motorcycle.

Diplomatic Efforts

PM Thaksin's Visit

Prime Minister Thaksin has been declaring his intention to visit Burma even before he took office. But his visit has frequently been postponed because of developments at the border. Another date has now been set and The Nation reported on 5 May that Prime Minister Thaksin planned to visit Burma "early next month" and on 14 May the Bangkok Post reported that the prime minister would sign a memorandum of understanding on drug suppression "when he visits Rangoon later this month." But on 15 May, the Bangkok Post reported that Thaksin had postponed his visit "until after the Burmese foreign minister visits Thailand...some time in June" but the following day the same paper cited Thaksin himself as saying "there is no postponement since I haven't yet made a schedule for the trip."

Ministers in Rangoon

Thai Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai, who made a two-day visit to Burma, said Thai-Burma relations are "still solid" and "the neighbors would resume their joint-commission meetings that have been put off for the past two years." According to The Nation he termed his talks in Rangoon as "frank and positive" These sentiments were shared by Minister at the Prime Minister's Office Thamarak Itsarangkun. On his return from Rangoon where he held talks with Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt, Thamarak was quoted by The Nation as saying that "Thailand and Burma have vowed to stop making public accusations against one another, and promised closer cooperation on drug eradication" as both sides "realized they needed to end the recent spate of finger pointing."

Defense Minister vs Thai Army

Bangkok Post on 3 May said, "conflict within Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's administration over its approach to Burma" had again surfaced with Defense Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh asking the prime minister to rein in "outspoken" Third Army Commander Watthanachai Chaimuanwong. The paper also claimed that "in a move directed at Watthanachai, Chavalit has instructed a panel to investigate how anti-drug Task Force 399 came into being without his knowledge. The task force is part of joint Thai-US efforts, in which US personnel will help train Thai soldiers in anti-drug operations." But, In an interview with The Nation on 3 May, Watthanachai did not address the question of his relations with the defense minister, concentrating instead on recent actions against Rangoon-backed groups moving amphetamine pills across the border into Thailand. The same day, Defense Minister Chavalit was quoted by Radio Thailand as saying that "the Third Army Region commander is a good man and is a real professional soldier" but that Thailand "should exercise patience in solving problems as anyone can resort to violence." On 10 May the Bangkok Post reported that frontline troops were "confused and frustrated" by comments attributed to Chavalit that "repeated incursions by Burmese and Red Wa soldiers on Thai soil were a very small matter and should not be taken seriously."

Thai Talk

The Thai press has been critical of what it sees as the Thaksin government's lack of a clear policy toward Burma, exemplified by remarks attributed to Defense Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh which were viewed as unnecessarily conciliatory toward Rangoon.

The Thai-language daily Phuchatkan on 4 May examined the possibility of war with Burma. After asking "why have the conflict and tension between the two countries reached the current levels" columnist Siri-anya goes on to suggest that "armed elements" supported by the two sides are the root cause of the problem. Another Thai-language paper Krungthep Thurakit, carried a "special report" by Vina Chanruang on 4 May laying out the differing perspectives on Burma held by the military and political sides. The report concluded that "all the unsettled problems with Burma remain" and that "domestic politics and power struggle have eroded unity needed in negotiations with Burma right from the beginning of the government's term. At the heart of this dilemma for Thailand is "the difference of views between the Army and the government and their different interests."

Key Thai Leaders shaping Burma policy (in brief)

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra: Declared war against narcotics following a Thai Army briefing at an anti-narcotics workshop in Chiang Rai. The prime minister believes in promoting good diplomatic relations with Rangoon while the Thai Army conducts drug suppression efforts against ethnic nationalities from Burma,

Defense Minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh: He adopts a conciliatory posture regarding border disputes with Burma (and is criticized by the Thai Army, Thai press, and the public in general), and is known for personally profiting from past business deals with the Burmese generals,

Foreign Minister Surakiart Sathirathai: An advocate of "constructive engagement" and critical of the Burma policy pursued by former Chuan Leekpai government. He came back optimistic after a recent official visit to Burma in spite of the Burmese protest about the border clashes and despite the Burmese propaganda while he was in Rangoon. The Burmese regime showed Mong Yawn to foreign journalists but, according to a Reuter report of 13 May, the minister and Thai journalists were not invited.

Third Army Region Commander Lt Gen Watthanachai Chaimuanwong: He is in charge of the Third Thai Army, overseeing the northern border with Burma, takes an aggressive stance in defense of Thai integrity against incursions by Burmese and ethnic soldiers from Burma. Lt Gen Watthanachai is reported by the Thai press as being close to former prime minister and influential Privy Councilor Gen Prem Tinsulanonda and is also a classmate of Supreme Commander Gen Sampao Chusri and Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Surayud Chulanond. These connections have so far protected Lt Gen Watthanachai from the wrath of Defense Minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.
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