“Since ceasefire agreements were signed, Mongton township (opposite Chiang Mai, Chiang Dao and Fang districts) had only 3 local infantry battalions: Infantry Battalions (IBs) 65, 225 and 277 plus Artillery Battalion 386,” said an informed local. “But this month, we are witnessing new developments.”

According to him, they are:

• Units from outside the township have replaced local units on the border. For instance, near the BP1 cross-border checkpoint, opposite Chiangdao, is a unit from Mongkhark and at the Pakhi base, opposite Fang, is a unit from Tongta (Mongpiang township)
• The long abandoned heavy weapons base on the Loi Khilek mountain overlooking Mong Kyawd, where the United Wa State Army (UWSA)’s 772nd Brigade is headquartered, has been manned again with a 120 mm mortar crew
• Patrols in the countryside, scrapped a year ago, have also restarted

A long-time Thai border security official agrees. He mentions an army convoy carrying troops from Mongtoom-based Light Infantry Battalion 553 passing through Nakawngmu, 29 miles north of the Thai border, on Sunday, 12 May. “The unit has been laid idle for 10 years now,” he explained. “All we kept hearing about it was collecting drug tax from the Punako People’s Militia Force (PMF).”

The UWSA’s 171st Military Region that fields 5 brigades: 248, 518, 772, 775 and 778 along the border that stretches from Maehongson’s Pai district to Chiangrai’s Mae Fa Luang district appeared to have been alerted. “Wa troops are reported taking up positions,’ he said.

It is not known whether the new developments originated in the Jane’s Intelligence’s 29 April report that China is providing MiG 17 gunships to the UWSA.

Naypyitaw also sent a delegation led by U Thein Zaw last week to visit armed movements that have concluded ceasefire with the government, including the UWSA. Details of the meeting on 10 May were reported by VOA.

Update
The UWSA had again demanded a separate statehood at the 10 May meeting. It denied having received gunships from China. Only 1 helicopter, 1 Fokker and a small ship were bought from Laos, said U Aung Myint, UWSA spokesman. As they were intended only to show the public, no engines to drive the vehicles were purchased. (VOA)