A Shan story
The Shan state is the biggest of Burma, situated in the north-eastern part of the country. It's bordered by China, Laos and Thailand. Once upon a time, the Shan used to dominate a huge empire, influencing the Chinese emperor himself. Have you ever heard about the Shan emperor ? I think I did some time... Well, it's coming from here.
So... after the second world war, Burma gained independence from the GB. In the 1947 constitution, it was declared that the Shan states would be able to become independent from Burma 10 years later. But the coup d'etat of Gen. Ne Win made this statement a beautiful and unattainable dream.
Since then, 2 liberation armies (I will say the Shan Army for both) are in a guerilla warfare against the Burmese Army, to try and obtain the independence as promised.
The Shan people call themselves "Tai", which means "free man" (which i find kind of ironic now...) They are subdivised in 4 groups. Two of which are the Tai Yai (like the refugees we saw) and the Tai Khuen (like Phra Chai and the people in Chiang Tung)
The latest census makes up for 6 millions Shan. They are mainly settled in the Shan state in Burma and in some states of Laos and Burma. But it is estimated that 2 millions of them live in Thailand, without ID and undocumented. That's putting the number of refugees to 1/3 of the estimated population...
Since then, 2 liberation armies (I will say the Shan Army for both) are in a guerilla warfare against the Burmese Army, to try and obtain the independence as promised.
The Shan people call themselves "Tai", which means "free man" (which i find kind of ironic now...) They are subdivised in 4 groups. Two of which are the Tai Yai (like the refugees we saw) and the Tai Khuen (like Phra Chai and the people in Chiang Tung)
The latest census makes up for 6 millions Shan. They are mainly settled in the Shan state in Burma and in some states of Laos and Burma. But it is estimated that 2 millions of them live in Thailand, without ID and undocumented. That's putting the number of refugees to 1/3 of the estimated population...