The Shan State Army (SSA)'s headquarters on the Thai border. The Shan people are the dominant ethnic group of an isolated and densely forested mountain region in northeast Burma. Running through the area is part of the Golden Triangle, where much of the world's opium and heroin is produced. Human rights groups have said that the Shan, along with other minorities, have been subject to forced labor and torture at the hands of the Burmese military. The SSA is waging armed insurrection against the Burmese military junta in the hope of Shan self-determination.

Shan State Army (SSA) recruits. The Shan people are the dominant ethnic group of an isolated and densely forested mountain region in northeast Burma. Running through the area is part of the Golden Triangle, where much of the world's opium and heroin is produced. Human rights groups have said that the Shan, along with other minorities, have been subject to forced labor and torture at the hands of the Burmese military. The SSA is waging armed insurrection against the Burmese military junta in the hope of Shan self-determination.

Members of the Shan State Army (SSA) drill in the mist. The Shan people are the dominant ethnic group of an isolated and densely forested mountain region in northeast Burma. Running through the area is part of the Golden Triangle, where much of the world's opium and heroin is produced. Human rights groups have said that the Shan, along with other minorities, have been subject to forced labor and torture at the hands of the Burmese military. The SSA is waging armed insurrection against the Burmese military junta in the hope of Shan self-determination.

Two Shan State Army (SSA) guerillas stand guard in the rain. The Shan people are the dominant ethnic group of an isolated and densely forested mountain region in northeast Burma. Running through the area is part of the Golden Triangle, where much of the world's opium and heroin is produced. Human rights groups have said that the Shan, along with other minorities, have been subject to forced labor and torture at the hands of the Burmese military. The SSA is waging armed insurrection against the Burmese military junta in the hope of Shan self-determination.

A Shan State Army (SSA) guerilla rests among elephant grass in an area where the Burmese army is active. The Shan people are the dominant ethnic group of an isolated and densely forested mountain region in northeast Burma. Running through the area is part of the Golden Triangle, where much of the world's opium and heroin is produced. Human rights groups have said that the Shan, along with other minorities, have been subject to forced labor and torture at the hands of the Burmese military. The SSA is waging armed insurrection against the Burmese military junta in the hope of Shan self-determination.

A Pa-O escort and informer for the Shan State Army (SSA) smokes his opium pipe in the forest. The Shan people are the dominant ethnic group of an isolated and densely forested mountain region in northeast Burma. Running through the area is part of the Golden Triangle, where much of the world's opium and heroin is produced. Human rights groups have said that the Shan, along with other minorities, have been subject to forced labor and torture at the hands of the Burmese military. The SSA is waging armed insurrection against the Burmese military junta in the hope of Shan self-determination.

A Shan State Army (SSA) fighter dries himself over a fire. The Shan people are the dominant ethnic group of an isolated and densely forested mountain region in northeast Burma. Running through the area is part of the Golden Triangle, where much of the world's opium and heroin is produced. Human rights groups have said that the Shan, along with other minorities, have been subject to forced labor and torture at the hands of the Burmese military. The SSA is waging armed insurrection against the Burmese military junta in the hope of Shan self-determination.

Shan villagers sit in a field that they will clear to grow opium poppies. The farmers themselves make a pittance from the trade, much of which appears to be under the control of local warlords and militias. The Shan people are the dominant ethnic group of an isolated and densely forested mountain region in northeast Burma. Running through the area is part of the Golden Triangle, where much of the world's opium and heroin is produced. Human rights groups have said that the Shan, along with other minorities, have been subject to forced labor and torture at the hands of the Burmese military. The Shan State Army (SSA) is waging armed insurrection against the Burmese military junta in the hope of Shan self-determination.

A Shan State Army guerilla watches as two Pa-O farmers clear their opium field for this year's crop. The Shan people are the dominant ethnic group of an isolated and densely forested mountain region in northeast Burma. Running through the area is part of the Golden Triangle, where much of the world's opium and heroin is produced. Human rights groups have said that the Shan, along with other minorities, have been subject to forced labor and torture at the hands of the Burmese military. The SSA is waging armed insurrection against the Burmese military junta in the hope of Shan self-determination.

Jai Noom (37) has been forced to work for the Burmese army, walking in front of them in frontline areas. He stepped on a mine and lost his leg from the knee down. The Shan people are the dominant ethnic group of an isolated and densely forested mountain region in northeast Burma. Running through the area is part of the Golden Triangle, where much of the world's opium and heroin is produced. Human rights groups have said that the Shan, along with other minorities, have been subject to forced labor and torture at the hands of the Burmese military. The Shan State Army (SSA) is waging armed insurrection against the Burmese military junta in the hope of Shan self-determination.

A young man in a camp for internally displaced people overseen by the Shan State Army (SSA). He was injured while being forced to carry arms for the Burmese military to frontline areas. The Shan people are the dominant ethnic group of an isolated and densely forested mountain region in northeast Burma. Running through the area is part of the Golden Triangle, where much of the world's opium and heroin is produced. Human rights groups have said that the Shan, along with other minorities, have been subject to forced labor and torture at the hands of the Burmese military. The SSA is waging armed insurrection against the Burmese military junta in the hope of Shan self-determination.

The entrance to one of many bunkers. The Shan people are the dominant ethnic group of an isolated and densely forested mountain region in northeast Burma. Running through the area is part of the Golden Triangle, where much of the world's opium and heroin is produced. Human rights groups have said that the Shan, along with other minorities, have been subject to forced labor and torture at the hands of the Burmese military. The Shan State Army (SSA) is waging armed insurrection against the Burmese military junta in the hope of Shan self-determination.

Nature,1st prize