Problems
Trafficking of young Shan girls into Thailand who are sold into prostitution. Poverty and disease (such as malaria and AIDS), poor nutrition and lack of education. Civil war has destroyed much of the infrastructure, and Shan live in constant fear. The Shan are denied refugee status in Thailand, unlike the Karen and other ethnic groups of Burma, thereby hindering humanitarian assistance from organizations such as the UNHCR. After arriving in Thailand, they are treated as illegal migrants and often deported back to Burma, thrown in prison, killed or fined. They are left to the mercy of unscrupulous employers who take advantage of the low-cost labor, often refusing to pay workers and threatening to expose them to the Thai authorities. The financial crisis in Thailand has only served to make it harder for the Shan, as Thai authorities has initiated a repatriation policy with the intention of allowing the Thai labor force to fill the positions held by Shans.
Even though Burma is rich in natural resources, it is the world’s seventh poorest nation, and was designated "Least Developed Country" by the United Nations in 1987.
Health care, education and infrastructure
There is very little health care available, especially in rural areas. Shan often rely on fetishes or shamans when they need medical assistance. Many Shan are malnourished, their diet lacking in important vitamins. There is inadequate sanitation and lack of clean water. Life expectancy is around 56 years. High infant mortality rate (approx. 78.5 per 1000 nationally).
Very few Shan children have the chance to attend school. Local monasteries serve as schools in many villages. In the national education system, the Shan are discriminated against, not being allowed to attend beyond the 6Th. grade, and are often treated poorly by the teachers. Neither are they allowed to read, write or speak in their own language.
The infrastructure in Shan State is highly deteriorated and all but destroyed after over 40 years of war. Most villages have neither plumbing or electricity. Roads outside of Rangoon are not paved, and there are but a few airports.
Language&land