Day Two Friday, 19 December 2014. Academic out to sue Yawdserk
Old as I am, I’m learning from my betters, most of whom are younger than me. Let’s say they are saying things which should serve as food for thought both for myself and the reader.

The first to speak this morning on the topic: Problems and the Way Out for ethnic Peoples along the Thai-Burmese Border is Ms Tuenjai Deetes, who has been working with the hill tribe on the border for 4 decades. She speaks about the plight of the stateless people who have been living in Thailand for so long.

Later it is Somrit Luechai, who is known for his weekly Dhamma program on Channel 3. He is a northerner and is close to almost all the groups along the border, especially Gen Yawdserk, the leader of the Shan State Army. “I’m going to sue him,” he says with feigned vehemence. “I recently met a group of young Shan soldiers and showed them a T-shirt with the famous portrait of Sao Noi (The first Shan resistance leader) and asked them if they know the guy. Most of them were silent. But one of them brightened up and said, ‘Yes, it’s Ad Carabao (one of Thailand’s top singers). It means his revolutionary education hasn’t been adequate.”

Another panelist is the 32-year old Dulyapak Preecharachch, a young lecturer most admired by me. He talks about Burma today, going back to the old days now and then. I think one of his remarks is quite interesting:

The British, in my opinion, had allowed the Shan Chaofas (also written sao-phas, meaning  princes) to rule their former domains for the simple reason of cutting their (British) expenses. But it was considered by the Burmese (who came under total British rule) as a Divide and Rule policy.”

The last panelist is myself who introduces the listeners, mostly academics, students and the media, on the ongoing peace process in Burma. I’m using the PowerPoint presentation given to me by the Burma News International (BNI) early in the year, updating it as I go on. “I’ve been giving this essentially same presentation for four times now, twice in Thailand and twice in England, all in English,” I inform them in my pidgin Thai, which is as bad as my English. “I have always thought that it isn’t fair. Why should the farangs know better the Thais who have to bear the brunt of the misrule in Burma like drugs, human trafficking and illegal migrant labor coming across the border. My heartfelt thanks for this opportunity therefore goes to the organizers, especially Ajarn Somrit, who is also wearing a Shan costume. That’s a great honor.” (The facilitator Ms Moragotwong Phumplab also wears one too.)

During the coffee break, I’m interviewed by Thai Rath and Prachathai TVs. Regrettably, I have no chance to listen to other interesting subjects as I have friends coming to entertain me.

Having worked along the border areas since 1971, many of my friends are of course from the Thai security, for whom learning what’s happening across the border is their job.

One of the topics we touch upon is what will happen to Burmese opposition activists in Thailand if somehow the peace process goes wrong. One of them replies: “We are for sure going to get pressure from Naypyitaw to send them back. But how Bangkok will respond to it is over and above us.”

The other adds: “Even if the peace process is successful, those who are holding Thai citizenship  are liable to inquiry by the Thai government as to whether or not they are going to revert to Burmese citizenship. Because, like Burma, we don’t recognize dual citizenships.”

Then, all of a sudden, it comes to me. So I ask them, “Why don’t I see military officers at the seminar? Or are they coming here in civilian clothes?”

The friend looks at me as if I was a stranger and says, “It’s simple. Because the military is not invited.”

He doesn’t act like he wants to dwell on it. So I’m not pressing him further. I just say, “Well. It seems kind of strange. Phisanulok is where the Third Regional Army is headquartered. And it has just been assigned to monitor and coordinate the peace process in Burma. I just thought this seminar would have been what the doctor ordered for them.”

We leave at 13:00 after lunch. As for the Thai scholars, they are departing for Maesot. And tomorrow they will be going across the border to Moulmein and Rangoon to further their studies.

All the way back to Chiangmai, the Thai military’s absence at the seminar keeps on intriguing me. But I’m going to find out the answer anyway, am I not?

And afterward, maybe I’ll have the chance to report back to you. Until then, the  best of luck to all of us.