Daeng in Myanmar (Burma)

After talking with a lot of folks about going into Myanmar we made the decision for me to stay in Thailand.

During this period of time, all the folks that travel in Myanmar said that it was not safe for me to travel where Daeng's family was going.

I walked Daeng to the bridge that crosses the river to Myanmar about 8:10 AM on Tuesday. We went with her sister-in-law, Hlong and four other members of the family.

They are going to travel about three hour into Burma to handle the last arrangements for Hlong's Father. This is a area that I call the flower growing center. (Poppies are a flower.) It is the second highest producing area of illegal opium in the world. This is all part of the "Golden Triangle" area.

Here is a very good Newsletter titled SHAN DRUG WATCH: CLICK HERE.

Daeng is just south of Kengtung about were the "M" is in the area of Monghpayak of the map on page 10 of SHAN DRUG WATCH above. It is a BIG poppy growing area.

I wanted to go but during this period of unrest it is not safe for a farang (white boy). You can read more about what is happening with the WA and Shan Armies in another story. Just CLICK HERE.

You can also read more in the SHAN HERALD.

Daeng was able to call me this afternoon to let me know she was safe and was going to try and return tomorrow to Thailand.

She has the camera so I hope she has lots of pictures to share with you.

I also talked with Chom-nom today and told him as soon as Daeng returns from Burma we will come to Ban AYO.

I really miss Daeng! This is the first time we have spent any time apart in over a year and a half. Yes, we are usually together, all the time, everyday!

Just a side note: You can read about "Plucking the Moon" on page 13 of the SHAN DRUG WATCH and watch the kids at the border crossing "Plucking the Moon" aka "Huffing" on this video. CLICK HERE

One last note, Thailand has been named in Forbes Traveler.com as one of the 10 PLACES THAT ANIMALS EAT YOU! To read more CLICK HERE.