Some Thai friends who have been informed of the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA)’s upcoming election of a new president have commented that the incumbent leader Lt-Gen Yawdserk may be looking for a proxy.

“Sounds like he may want his successor to continue doing what he’s been doing,” said a long-time friend in Chiangmai, “like Thaksin (Shinawatra, exiled former Thai Prime Minister) getting his currently embattled sister Yingluck to become his alternate.”

Yawdserk however has denied the assertion. “I made it clear (at the conclusion of the RCSS/SSA annual meeting on 13 January) that I did not mean I would retire from the national cause and the movement,” he told SHAN. “But I would like to be sure that the cause will be able to move forward without me at the helm. For this purpose, I would be happy to serve as a counsel to the new leader.”

A 5 men election commission led by Maj Awng Moeng, a 40 year veteran, has been formed to hold the election at a two-day meeting which will begin on Friday, 14 February.
According to Awng Moeng, the commission has selected 5 nominees:

• Maj Gen Sai Yi, incumbent Vice President #1
• Col Kherh Ngeun, incumbent Vice President #2
• Lt-Col Siri, incumbent General Secretary
• Brig Gen Pawng Kherh, incumbent chief of Civil Administration and chief of peace delegation
• Lt-Col Gawn Zeun, Commander of Military Sector #1, Shan State East

So far, none of the 5 has expressed any desire to fill up the vacancy. Several supporters, both military and civilian, both at home and abroad, have also expressed concern at the prospect that Yawdserk might fade out. “Whoever is elected, I will be working with him,” he has assured them.