Sao Hso Khan Pha aka Tiger Yawnghwe, “President” of the Interim Shan Government (ISG) set up in 2005, passed away at his home in Alberta, Canada, on Sunday, 2 October, according to his friends and siblings.
Born on 15 April 1938, he was the eldest son of the late Sao Shwe Thaike, Prince of Yawnghwe and the first President of independent Burma (1948-52), and the late Mahadevi Sao Nang Hearn Hkam, founder and President of the Shan State War Council/ Shan State Army (SSWC/SSA). His younger siblings include
Standing behind: Sao Ying Sita, Sao Hso Khan Pha, Sao Nang Hearn Kham, Sao Tzang Yawnghwe and Sao Mee
- Sao Hso Lern Fa aka Chao Tzang Yawnghwe (1939-2004)
- Sao Ying Sita
- Sao Hso Hom Fa aka Sao Mee (who was killed during the “bloodless” 1962 coup)
- Sao Hso Harn Fa aka Sao Harn Yawnghwe, Executive Director, Euro-Burma Office
- Sao Hseng Leun Hkam
Sao Sanda Simms, author of The Moon Princess, and Sao Haymar Thaike, who lives in Taunggyi, are his half sisters.
Most of his life were spent in exile. In 2005, he was elected as President by a conference held in
southern Shan State, organized by a splinter group from the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA). His efforts collapsed within a few years, after failing to receive support from major Shan movements.
Wikipedia has cited him as saying:
“I support all ethnic groups’ rights to have their own federal states, probably in US or Canadian style. I understand that Quebec Province in Canada is an autonomous federal state. Shan State can be like that.”
He passed away peacefully during his sleep, according to Sao Harn. He reportedly had been suffering from high blood pressure and cholesterol and had stents planted in his heart.
He is survived by 4 children who live in Calgary and Edmonton.
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