Rural Shan State

: View of Kong Mung Mong multi-ethnic village in southern Shan State opposite Mae Aw village in Mae Hong Son, Thailand. The village was built in 2006 by internally displaced Shan people from Homong area, and is home to Shan, Wa and Pa’O people.

: Entrance

: In Kong Mung Mong multi ethnic village. The village and nearby areas are protected from the government troops by three ethnic armies: Shan State Army-South (SSA-S), Pa’O National Liberation Army (PNLA) and Wa National Army (WNA)

: Inside Kong Mung Mong clinic, built and protected from Burma army troops by SSA-S.

: Wheelchair patient in Kong Mung Mong clinic

: Children in Kong Mung Mong multi-ethnic village. SSA-S built a school open for all the children in the village.

: Entrance to SSA-S military base camp.

: Shan State Army-South (SSA-S) military base camp in Loi Kaw Wan, Shan State.

: Inside the SSA-S military base camp in Loi Kaw Wan. Burma army and the United Wa State Army (UWSA) also have bases in the area.

: Early morning

: Clothes left drying in Loi Ka Wan

: Village in Loi Kaw Wan

: Houses inside the SSA-S Kengtung Front Brigade in Loi Kaw Wan.

: Cows blocking the road

: Views over Loi Kaw Wan

: Village in Loi Kaw Wan. The nearby area has Lahu, Akha and Shan villages, all protected by the SSA-S. Loi Kaw Wan has about 3,000 internally displaced persons and 65 orphaned children.

: Rural views

: Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) soldiers having lunch with villagers in Shan State.

: View over rural Shan State

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Description

This gallery displays life in rural conflict-ridden areas of Shan State, where thousands have been displaced as a consequence of war and widespread human rights violations. Most people in rural areas of Shan State live in poverty and uncertainty, and few have access to adequate health care or education. Some areas are under the control of multiple armies, and some villages are protected from the government troops by ethnic armies. Notable ethnic armies in the area include Shan State Army (SSA), United Wa State Army (UWSA), Pa’O National Liberation Army (PNLA), Wa National Army (WNA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF).

Photos by: Sai Kwan

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This gallery was sent to Burma Link by a website visitor.