The Shan have resided and had their own autonomous region in Burma for a long time. When internal power struggles and invasions from outsiders erupted, they were forced to be under Burmese control and are now scattered in various regions. These included Thai people migrating to live with them. After gaining independence from Britain, the Shan did not receive autonomy as promised. Despite being under Burmese rule, the Shan are pampered and their cultural identity has been maintained even though the Burmese rule, trade and marry with them. Nevertheless, maintenance of their identity also depends on keeping a distance from the Burmese.