First, the original name is “Shan National Day” and thus should be used without altering it, until a new consensus is found among all the stakeholders concerned.

Second, Federated Shan States, forerunner of the present Shan State, was a Federal Union in nature and had been ruled by respective Sao Hpa of each principality corresponding to its ethnic group. For example, the Palaung area was ruled by Palaung prince or Sao Hpa, the Pa O by the Pa O, the Kokang by the Kokang, the Danu by the Danu and so on.

Thus the "Shan Nation" should be seen as a collective national identity of all people residing within Shan State and not just belonging to the Tai ethnic group, the majority within Shan State.

But this is not to say that “Shan State Day” is not acceptable. We only need to find a consensus among us for a new name, if this is what we all want. For example, “Shan State National Day” could be one of the inputs or the way out of this deadlock.

Mai Soong Kha
Sai Wansai