BURMA BANKNOTES, Tailand- Shan National Army 1964-65 Issues

**BACKGROUNDER**
The Shan State Army was established in the 1960's by various rebel groups, funded by taxes on drugs. Their purpose was to establish an independent country for the Shan people. The Shan army was disbanded in the mid-1960's but other similar groups were constituted. In 1973, the Burmese government signed an agreement with the USA to eradicated poppy cultivation thereby eliminating the Shan nationalist movements. A number of successor groups continue today - Eastern Shan State Army (ESSA), Mong Tai Army (MTA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the United Wa State Army (UWSA). They are reportedly actively involved in the drug trade.