Great Lords of the Sky

Here is the latest book by Sao Sanda. Written from a Tai/Shan perspective, the intricate and often unsettled realities that existed in the Shan States from early times up to the military coup in 1962 are described in a comprehensive overview of the stresses and strains that the Shan princes endured from early periods of monarchs and wars, under British rule and Japanese occupation, and Independence and Bamar military regime.
Part One covers chronological events relating them to the rulers, the antagonists, and the people and the continuing conflict in the Shan State. Part Two deals with the 34 Tai/Shan rulers, describing their histories, lives, and work. Included are photographs and family trees of the princes revealing a span of Shan history, before being lost in the mists of time. The past is explained in order that the present political situations may be understood and resolved amicably between the Bamar government, the Tatmadaw, and the ethnic nationalities.

Laos, Then

This book is an account of Peter and Sanda Simms’ travels in the Kingdom of Laos, way back in 1955. It captures the culture, tradition and the atmosphere of a time when the people there were still fully immersed in their centuries of colourful customs, folklore and rituals.

The outside world had left the kingdom on their own for centuries, but there were already signs of profound and destructive changes to come.

The book brings to life the every-day world of the Laotians and their attitude of helpful curiosity towards the authors. The landscape that they travelled through described vividly, comes to life as they walk, ride horses or are given lifts by the Royal Laotian army. Their eye for humour added many light-hearted moments during their journey, but these were also interleaved with some more serious episodes. Much of the danger was in trying to avoid the Pathet Lao and Vietminh forces who were very trigger happy.

Reading the book, you will feel like you are there; experiencing the excitement, joy and a few tribulations too.

Peter and Sanda were journalists and their publications, jointly and singly, have been well-known for many years. Their astute knowledge of the politics of Southeast Asia will add background understanding to the turmoil that followed in later years.
Click to buy: Laos, Then: Travels in the Kingdom

The Moon Princess

As expected, this website about Shan Saohpas contains content provided by the author, Sao Sanda, who is the daughter of the last Saohpa of the state of Yawnghwe. She was previously a respected journalist with Reuters, while her husband Peter Simms wrote for Time-Life, and together published several books. The last Yawnghwe Saohpa, Sao Shwe Thaik, was a key figure in that he was very much involved with the negotiations for the independence of Burma and for a period, was the president of the country. Click to buy: The Moon Princess

The Kingdoms of Laos

Sao Sanda has had a colourful life that included spending six months in Laos with her husband during which time they were guests of the Laotian royal family. It is also suspected that like many journalists during those turbulent years, the couple helped with intelligence work for Britain. In fact her husband, Peter, was used by John le Carré as a template for the main character in his novel “The Honourable Schoolboy”.

Beside her latest book on the Saohpas, you can check out a couple of Sao Sanda’s previous works shown above, both available on Amazon (click on the images to buy). “The Moon Princess” is her autobiography which although personal, helps the reader feel a sense of the important historical changes going on in the background of her unfolding story. “The Kingdoms of Laos” was jointly written with her late husband, and is an important work covering 600 years of Laotian history – a must for all interested in that mysterious country.

 

Other Contributors

Anybody kind enough to supply photographs or material will be listed below. You can also remain anonymous if preferred.

Sao Harn Yawnghwe – kindly contributed photographs

 

Webmaster

To complete the picture, the creator of this website is Victor Ong. He is the nephew of Sao Sanda and hence the grandson of the Saohpa of Yawnghwe (on the paternal side).