Burma has reinforced its troops in the disputed area of Doi Lang mountain, which an army source said might result from its ‘’misunderstanding'’ over a Thai military exercise in the border area. Since last week, more Burmese soldiers with heavy weapons have been deployed to the Doi Lang area, opposite Chiang Mai’s Mae Ai district. A 32-sq km area of land has sparked a row between Burma and Thailand, which have their own versions of border demarcation maps.

A source at the Third Army, which oversees northern Thailand, insisted Thai soldiers had only carried out a routine drill near the border without any move to touch on the controversial issue.

‘’It’s probably a misunderstanding by Burma. But so far the situation remains normal,'’ said the officer who asked not to be named.

Thai villagers who live near the area, viewed the Burmese move as unusual. More food supplies have been sent to the Burmese army base at Doi Lang while troops beefed up security, replacing bamboo fences with barbed wire.

The villagers became aware of the stepped-up security after two Thais were arrested by Burmese soldiers in late-June after they allegedly farmed on a Burmese area. Burmese authorities later sent them back to Thailand after negotiations with Thai military officers of the Pa Muang task force.

Pa Muang task force’s deputy commander Col Pichet Sukpongpisit did not believe the recent Burmese military build-up would lead to a serious problem