Two days later, and with butterflies in my stomach that could have caused several hurricanes in Florida, we set off for Chiang Mai. We all travelled separately, staggering flights over the course of the day so as not to attract any attention, then booking into two separate hotels in Chiang Mai itself. Chamreun, two of his team and I were in the Royal Peninsula Hotel Chiang Mai, mid-range budget wise but also large enough to give some anonymity, and the rest of the squad were in The Pawin.
Chamreun had also organised the hire of two Mitsubishi Pajero Sports SUVs, all under false names and paid for in cash of course. He planned on picking up the weapons after dark as they were stored in a house in Hang Dong to the south of the city. Then the plan was to head out to the Shan house mid-mornin
