Mon Nationalism and Civil War in Burma : The Golden Sheldrake

A major contribution to the literature of Burmese history and politics, this book traces the rich and tragic history of the Mon people of Burma and Thailand, from the pre-colonial era to the present day. This vivid account of ethnic politics and civil war situates the story of Mon nationalism within the 'big picture' of developments in Burma, Thailand and the region. Primarily an empirical study, it also addresses issues of identity and anticipates Burmese politics in the new millennium. A particular feature of the book is its first-hand descriptions of insurgency and displacement, drawn from the author's experiences as an aid worker in the war zone. Cover 1 MON NATIONALISM AND CIVIL WAR IN BURMA 2 Title Page 3 Copyright Page 4 Table of Contents 5 List of Maps and Tables 7 Note Regarding Names and Titles 8 Acronyms and Abbreviations 9 Preface and Acknowledgements 12 Part One: The Mon in Burma (and Thailand) 23 1 Introduction 24 2 Demographics, Language and Ethnic Identity 39 3 Mon Nationalism in Burma (and Thailand) 56 Part Two: Classical Mon Civilisation and the Colonial Period 68 4 The Rise of the Mon 69 5 Pegu and Pagan - The Kingdoms of Ramanyadesa and the Mon-Burman Wars 85 6 The British Period and the Second World War 106 Part Three: Independence and Civil War 117 7 Burma and the Mon - 1945-1962 118 8 Insurgents on the Thailand-Burma Border 144 9 Burma and the Mon - 1987-1990 159 10 Sangkhlaburi and Three Pagodas Pass - Karen, Mon and Thai 172 Part Four: Revolutionaries, Warlords and Refugees 180 11 Burma and the Mon in the 1990s 181 12 The Mon Refugees and the Border Relief Programme 196 13 Constructive Engagement and the Gas Pipelines 213 14 The 1994 Halochanee Crisis 223 Part Five: The Mon Ceasefire and Since 234 15 The 1995 NMSP-SLORC Ceasefire 235 16 The 1996 Mon Refugee Repatriation 248 17 The 1997 Burma Army Offensives 260 18 Burma, Thailand, ASEAN and the International Community 275 Part Six: The Sheldrake and the Peacock 292 19 Legacies 293 20 Politics in Transition? 330 Notes 356 Appendix: Key Dates in Mon History 405 Bibliography 412 Index 420 "Charting Mon history from the earliest times to the present Ashley South describes the origins of Burma's ethnic politics in the pre-colonial era, and developments during the British (and Japanese) colonial periods. Following independence in 1948 Burma was plunged into a civil war which still drags on today. The book explores the background to and major episodes in the war, and compares the experiences of various parties to the conflict, including the Mon, Karen and Kachin ethnic communities and insurgent organisations. It provides unique insights into the dynamics of armed conflict in Burma, and examines the controversial series of ceasefire agreements negotiated since 1989 between various insurgent armies and the military government." "Exploring the relationship between the Burmese democracy movement led by Aung San Suu Kyi, the ethnic insurgents, international and local non-government organisations, and Burma's one million-plus refugees, Ashley South concludes by looking at the future of the 'ethnic question' in Burma."--BOOK JACKET.000000000 1. Introduction -- 2. Demographics, Language And Ethnic Identity -- 3. Mon Nationalism In Burma (and Thailand) -- 4. Rise Of The Mon -- 5. Pegu And Pagan -- The Kingdoms Of Ramanyadesa And The Mon-burman Wars -- 6. British Period And The Second World War -- 7. Burma And The Mon -- 1945-1962 -- 8. Insurgents On The Thailand-burma Border -- 9. Burma And The Mon -- 1987-1990 -- 10. Sangkhlaburi And Three Pagodas Pass -- Karen, Mon And Thai -- 11. Burma And The Mon In The 1990s -- 12. Mon Refugees And The Border Relief Programme -- 13. Constructive Engagement And The Gas Pipelines -- 14. 1994 Halochanee Crisis -- 15. 1995 Nmsp-slorc Ceasefire -- 16. 1996 Mon Refugee Repatriation -- 17. 1997 Burma Army Offensives -- 18. Burma, Thailand, Asean And The International Community -- 19. Legacies -- 20. Politics In Transition? -- App. Key Dates In Mon History. Ashley South. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 398-405) And Index. A major contribution to the literature on Burmese history and politics, this book traces the rich and tragic history of the Mon people of Burma and Thailand, from the pre-colonial era to the present day. The one million-plus Mon people today living in Burma and neighbouring Thailand constitute an ethnic minority.