Border Battles Brew: Thai army challenges Myanmar's Wa stronghold

SHAN STATE, Myanmar - Military tensions are escalating as Thailand deploys more troops to the Myanmar border to compel the United Wa State Army (UWSA) to withdraw from facilities that allegedly encroach on Thai territory.

The UWSA is Myanmar's most prominent ethnic army, with nine bases along the border inside the Military Region in Southern Shan State. The Wa govern two non-contiguous regions in Shan State, the