United Wa State Army (UWSA) has set 16 Lisu Thai citizens, whom it had detained on May 12 free, according to the Thai-Burmese border local news sources.

Among those released is the village headman of Paeksaem village; Piang Luang Tract, Wiang Haeng District, Chiang Mai Province called Manas (40 year old). Paeksaem is one of the villages under the Royal Project of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.

On May 12, a group of 16 Lisu led by Manas went hunting around Mae Tang stream. But they accidently trespassed into Myanmar and encountered with the soldiers from UWSA’s 171st Military Region. Because 6 of the Lisu carried six guns, Wa soldiers suspected had kept them under detention.

On April 13, the UWSA set 10 of them who don’t have guns free and told those people to bring Thai authorities to come to guarantee if they want the rest of the people back.
Therefore, on April 14, Thai authorities went there to guarantee them and on April 15 the UWSA set all of them together with their guns free.

Local sources say relations between the UWSA and the Burma Army is tense. The Wa are also planting landmines everywhere. Travelers and merchants who have to pass border should be careful.