Sao Shwe Thaik
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Agga Maha Thray Sithu Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma Sao Shwe Thaik , was the 33rd and last Saopha of Yawnghwe. He was an aristocrat and a famous Shan political figure in Burma (Myanmar). He is also famous for his wealth and he was one of the richest men of his time in South East Asia. He was also known as the one and only owner of a Rolls-Royce in Myanmar up to this day. His Rolls-Royce is currently kept in the National Museum of Myanmar in Yangon.
He became the provisional president of the Union of Burma on January 4, 1948. He served as the head of state of Burma between 1948 and 1952. In the military coup of March 1962 he was arrested by the Revolutionary Council headed by General Ne Win and died in prison in November 1962. One of his sons at that time- a 17 year old- was killed in the March 1962 military coup - apparently the only casualty on the day of the coup.
Little public records of Sao Shwe Thaik remains inside Burma, as the State Peace and Development Council of Myanmar frequently attempt to suppress information on opponents of General Ne Win , for instance U Thant.
References to Sao Shwe Thaik and U Thant are often removed from school history textbooks by the censors appointed by State Peace and Development Council.
Preceded by: Sir Saw Maung |
Saopha of Yaunghwe 1962 |
Succeeded by: Sao Pan Thee (as Pretender of Shan) |
[edit] References
- The Union of Burma, Hugh Tinker