At Mong Ton township, live in Shan, Lahu, Lisu, Wa, Burma, and Chinese.

[clarification needed] Given its location near the border with Thailand and internal conflict, the Burmese army has the important IB277 military base just outside the main town.

[2] The Free Burma Rangers have alleged that the army is involved in the production and trafficking of narcotics in order to profit from the trade in opium, heroin and amphetamines.

[2] Opium is cultivated and it is not only processed for trade abroad it is also consumed by some local villagers and has created drug addiction problems.

[3] The SPDC supported three basic military training courses for the Lahu militia in Mong Ton during 2009.