Sao Shwe Thaik

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Agga Maha Thray Sithu Agga Maha Thiri Thudhamma Sao Shwe Thaik (1896-1962) was the first president of the Union of Burma (now Myanmar) and the last Saopha of Yawnghwe. He was a well-respected Shan political figure in Myanmar. His full ritual style was Kambawsarahta Thiri Pawaramahawuntha Thudamaraza.

He was educated at the Shan Chiefs School in Taunggyi. He then entered the British military service during World War I, and also served in the Northeast Frontier Service from 1920-1923. He became saopha on the death of his father, Sao Maung in 1929. He again served in the military service from 1939 to 1942. He married five times; his best-known wife was Sao Hearn Hkam, sister of the saopha of Hsenwi. He had a total of ten children.

He became the president of the Union of Burma on January 4, 1948 at its independence. He served as the head of state of Burma between 1948 and 1952. After this term as president, he was the chairman of the chamber of nationalities until 1962. 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, a 17 year old at that time, was killed in the March 1962 military coup, apparently the only casualty on the day of the coup.

His residence in Yawnghwe, the haw, is now a museum, and is open to the public.

[edit] References

• The Union of Burma: A Study of the First Years of Independence By Hugh Tickner. New York: Oxford University Press, 1957. xiv, 424. Maps, Bibliography at page 24

[edit] External links

• Leaders of Myanmar (Burma)
• Panglong Conference and Panlong Agreement
• Revision of the Constitution of the Union of Burma
• Sao Shwe Thaik's speech on Burmese independence, January 4, 1948

v • d • e Heads of State of Burma Sao Shwe Thaik • Ba U • Win Maung • Ne Win† • San Yu† • Sein Lwin† • Aye Ko* • Maung Maung • Saw Maung† • Than Shwe† † military     * acting

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