[2] According to local tradition in the early times of the Karenni states there was a principality led by a "Sawphya" that was under the overlordship of a Shan prince.

[3] After his successor Sao Lawi agreed to pay a tribute of Rs 5,000 to the British government, he was granted the title of Saopha.

Following the expedition against the Red Karens in the Karenni area the Anglo-Siamese Boundary Commission of 1892-93 would be set up in order to resolve the disputes about the territory the Siamese had occupied on the eastern side of the Salween as well as the Trans-Salween territories that had been handed over to the Saopha of Mong Pan State to which Siam also laid claim.

Following the existing agreement between Thai Prime Minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram (Phibun) and the Japanese Empire, on 18 August 1943, the Japanese government agreed to the Thai annexation of Kengtung and part of Mongpan state (as well as the annexation of Kelantan, Trengganu, Kedah, Perlis states and nearby islands in Malaya.

However, the Thai government officially relinquished its claim over Kantarawadi State only in 1946 as part of the condition for admission to the United Nations and the withdrawal of all wartime sanctions for having sided with the Axis powers.