Golden Triangle Wargaming

[Viper4Dan]

Over the years I've been accused of purposely picking a period that nobody else (or very few people) seem to game, finding that there are, understandably, no figures designed specifically for it, then converting figures and creating rules to suite my fancy. “Guilty as charged, your Honor”. My scale of choice is 28mm, and my eccentric gaming includes Ancient Roman 4th century Syrian frontier skirmish games (“Roma Victa” rules), Greenland in WW2, Partisan warfare in Yugoslavia in WW2, Franco-Siam War of WW2, 1st French-Indochina War, the Vietnam War (but only the Australian and Thai areas of operation), modern Canadian Peacekeeping operations, modern African Warlord battles, and Back of Beyond 1920's skirmish (aka “Mongols with Mausers”). I won't bore you with a list of the more mainstream games.

A few years ago, I had the chance to travel in Thailand, and experience both the beauty and the seedy underbelly of an amazing country and culture. Then I got the big, (actually, a bug got me, but another story, another time). I watched a truck of Thahan Phran (literally meaning “hunter killers”) Thai Army Rangers drive by. That image inspired a whole new gaming possibility for me.The late, great scholar, Professor Desmond Ball refers to them in his book on the subject as “The Boys in Black”. They are small units of paramilitary light infantry of the Royal Thai Army (RTA) that are scattered along Thailand's borders to patrol the area and call in other police or RTA forces if they need support. They tend to be made up of small units (19-40) of young men who live in these remote areas, so they know the terrain, people, customs, language and local “bush news”. They have a very spotty history. Some units have become almost folk heroes, while others are as corrupt and abusive as those they defend against.

Along Thailand's borders with Burma/Myanmar, Laos & Cambodia, they patrol against foreign incursions by both national and ethnic rebel armies, smugglers, human traffickers, teak wood and elephant poachers, and drug dealers. This is an especially dangerous job in the far north in The Golden Triangle, where the Mekong River forms a border between Burma/Myanmar, Thailand and Laos.

And so, getting back to the point, I've chosen to start gaming a new period, in this mountainous, jungle-covered frontier area. It is wide open for scenarios and a variety of forces. The Thais have a dizzying variety Thahan Phran, Border Patrol Police (BPP), and Royal Thai Army (RTA) units to bring into play, as do the Royal Loas Army (RLA). The Myanmar Armed Forces (Tatmadaw) has a variety of regular and light infantry units to bring into play. Since much of Myanmar, especially along the Thai border, the north and in The Golden Triangle, are controlled by ethnic rebel groups, most of the patrolling and skirmishing is carried out by the Light Infantry Divisions (Chay Myan Tat Ma or Ta Ma Kha). The ethnic rebel groups in Myanmar are too numerous to name, with the major groups ranging from armies of the few hundred of the All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF), to the 25,000 of the United Wa State Army (UWSA). Add into this a large number of smaller ethnic militias, criminal syndicates and drug warlords. At various times these groups are either allied to the government, fighting the government, allied to other ethnic rebel groups, fighting other ethnic rebel groups, or all the above. Just to make matters more interesting, add in to this mix the activities of Mekong River pirates and foreign mercenaries.

Let's face it, for skirmish gaming in exotic locales, this one is a winner. I plan to put together a scenario for the HotLead Convention in Stratford, Ontario Canada in March. Pics of my first units should be posted shortly.

[Viper4Dan]

The first group of photos are of my Burmese ethnic rebel drug lord forces. They are based on the uniform of the United Wa State Army, but could equally represent any number of ethnic armies, local militias, or even light infantry from Laos or Cambodia. The figures are from Commando Miniatures, with the WW2 weapons swapped for AK's, and the red scarves added from greenstuff.

[Viper4Dan]

Two sections of Burmese Drug Warlord light infantry.

[Viper4Dan]

Command and light mortar support.

[Viper4Dan]

First unit of Mekong pirates. Boats and Thahan Phran to be the next projects up.

[jamesmanto]

You just can't do anything normal, can you?
 

[Johnno]

I plan to put together a scenario for the HotLead Convention in Stratford, Ontario Canada in March. Pics of my first units should be posted shortly.

Your games are great fun. Can't wait to see more of this!

[commissarmoody]

Your strange flights of fancy are always fun to see. Keep up the good work. 

[Inkpaduta]

As a fellow gamer who likes to take the road less traveled in what I game, excellent!
I could see where this could be a lot of fun.

[Marine0846]

Very cool.
Look forward to see what is next.

[Valerik]

Huh??

This topic ain't about wargaming in Norh Carolina??



Yours looks almost as dangerous, & a LOT more interesting!!

& I've always admired “Roma Victa”, very well done, Sir!!

Valerik

"Sign of the Fiery Naga"
-Mister Moto Takes a Chance

[S_P]

Some great ideas there- looking forward to seeing it develop.

[Viper4Dan]

As the project progresses, I've completed the leader of my Mekong pirates, Pho King Mao. He's a Gripping Beast MoFo African Warlord figure. His first pirate ship is a converted speedboat, found at a local Good Will store. Besides the required Heavy Machine Gun mount, I've added a boarding ladder to allow his crew to clamber up the side of smaller cargo ships.

[Viper4Dan]

The "Blue Dragon" of the Mekong!

[Legion1963]

Indeed. What excellent choice. ;-)