Sao Shwe Thaik
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Saopha of Yawnghwe Sao Shwe Thaik စဝ်ရွှေသိုက် Agga Mahā Sray Cithu Agga Mahā Sri Sudhamma |
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| Speaker of the Chamber of Nationalities | |
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In office 1952–1960 |
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| 1st President of Burma | |
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In office 4 January 1948 – 12 March 1952 |
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| Preceded by | Hubert Rance(as governor general of British Burma) |
| Succeeded by | Ba U |
| Saopha of Yawnghwe | |
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In office September 1927 – 2 March 1962 |
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| Preceded by | Sir Sao Maung |
| Succeeded by | None (abolished) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1894 Yawnghwe, Shan States, British India |
| Died |
21 November 1962 (aged 67) Rangoon, Burma |
| Political party | AFPFL |
| Spouse(s) |
Sao Nang Hearn Kham Mya Win Nyunt May |
| Children | Hso Khan Pha |
| Parents | Sir Sao Maung |
| Alma mater | Shan Chiefs School, Taunggyi |
| Religion | Theravada Buddhism |
Sao Shwe Thaik (Burmese: စဝ်ရွှေသိုက်, Burmese pronunciation: [saʔ ʃwè θaiʔ]; 1894 – 21 November 1962) was the first president of the Union of Burma and the last Saopha of Yawnghwe. His full royal style was Kambawsarahta Thiri Pawaramahawuntha Thudamaraza. He was a well-respected Shan political figure in Burma. His residence in Nyaung Shwe (Yawnghwe), the Haw, is now the "Buddha museum" and is open to the public.
Shwe Thaik was educated at the Shan Chiefs School in Taunggyi. He then entered the British military service during World War I, and also served in the Northeast Frontier Service from 1920–1923. In September 1927, he was chosen as successor to his uncle as saopha of Yawnghwe by the Federated Shan States' Council of Ministers. He again served in the military service from 1939 to 1942. He was married five times; his best-known wife was the first, Sao Nang Hearn Hkam, sister of the Saopha of North Hsenwi Sao Hom Hpa. He had a total of three children.
Shwe Thaik became the president of the Union of Burma on 4 January 1948 at its independence, served as the head of state until 12 March 1952. The following is his first presidential address to the nation on the day of independence, 4 January 1948.
Excerpt from "the White Umbrella" by Patricia Elliot (Pg. 206–207) On 4 January 1949, a mass rally was held outside City Hall to mark the first anniversary of Independence Day. As head of state, (he) addressed the crowd. To his credit, he didn't serve up the previous year's menu of brave words and high purpose. Instead he issued a warning.
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