Le Than Bwa

Le Than Bwa (Burmese: လယ်သံဘွား, Burmese pronunciation: [lɛ̀ ðàɴ bwá]; also known as Hsan Hpa, died 1459/60) was sawbwa (ruler) of Onbaung from the 1420s to 1459/60. Initially a vassal of Ava, the sawbwa kept his small Shan-speaking state independent from 1426 to 1444. He is known in Burmese history for his 1425 assassination of King Thihathu of Ava.

The assassination paved the way for his ally Prince Min Nyo of Kale to seize the Ava throne three months later. However, he deserted Nyo at a critical juncture in the subsequent war between Nyo and Gov. Thado of Mohnyin in 1426, clearing the way for Thado's accession. Yet he never submitted to Thado, and exerted pressure on Ava by actively supporting the rebellion of Prince Minye Kyawhtin to the 1440s. But the Chinese invasions forced him to submit to Ava in 1444. He died in 1459/60, and was succeeded by his son Kham Yut Bwa with Ava's military help.