Sao Shwe Thaik (, Tsaw³ Kham⁴soek³;, ; 16 October 1895 – 21 November 1962) was a Burmese politician who served as the first president of the Union of Burma and the last Saopha of Yawnghwe. His full royal title 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.

Early life

Born on 16 October 1895 of the British Raj, Shwe Thaik was educated at the Shan Chiefs School in Taunggyi. He then entered 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 officially assumed office on 8 March 1929. He again served in the military from 1939 to 1942. He was married five times; his first wife was the first Mahadevi, Sao Nang Yi, his second wife was Sao Nang Sanda, his third wife was Sao Nyunt May, his fourth wife was Sao Hearn Hkam, who became the 2nd Mahadevi, his fifth wife was Daw Mya Win.

President

Sao Shwe Thaik became the president of the Union of Burma on 4 January 1948 at its independence, served as the head of state until 16 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. He made a direct stab at his own country's deteriorating political situation with insurgencies and armed conflicts.

Speaker of the Chamber of Nationalities

After this term as president, he was the speaker of the Chamber of Nationalities, the upper house, from 1950 to 1962. In the military coup of March 1962 he was arrested by the Union Revolutionary Council headed by General Ne Win and died in prison in November 1962. One of his sons, 17 at that time, was killed in the March 1962 military coup, apparently the only casualty on the day of the coup.