Australian Scott Hend has taken a one-shot lead at the halfway mark of the Myanmar Open at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club.

Hend started the day in a share of first place but his five-under-par second round of 67 ensured he had exclusive ownership of it by the end of it.

The Townsville native is now 13-under overall after reeling off seven birdies which were tempered by two bogeys at the 3rd and 8th holes.

Hend leads Thailand's second-placed Kiradech Aphibarnrat (12-under) by one stroke while American Ben Fox and Chinnarat Phadungsil, also Thai, are a stroke further back at minus 11 in equal third position.

Wade Ormsby and Marcus Both are the next-best Australians on 10-under in a share of fifth spot.