As fighting continues, Myanmar travellers find hitting the road more difficult

As war rages around Myanmar, travel has become increasingly difficult—and expensive—in parts of the country worst hit by the spreading conflict. In northern Shan State, where an alliance of ethnic armed groups has been waging a major offensive against the military for nearly a month, the usual bus services to Lashio, the region’s largest town, have been suspended. To get there from central Myanmar is now possible only in small vans known locally as “dices,” and service is only available once every three days, according to staff at two Yangon-based companies specialising in travel to Shan State. The fare for the trip from Yangon to Lashio is now substantially more than it was just a month ago—between 100,000 and 130,000 kyat, or US$48-62 at the rate set by the regime. This is triple what it would have cost before the start of the offensive. Cars travel on the Hsipaw-Namlan-Kyaukgu road in mid-November (Konay) “They also can’t operate daily because of the ongoing conflict,” said a staffer at one of the companies contacted by Myanmar Now. Beyond Lashio, in areas largely under the control of the allied anti-regime forces, the cost of travel is even higher. One recent traveller reported paying a total of 300,000 kyat to go from Hsenwi to Naypyitaw, a distance of about 640km. Two-thirds of that fare, however, was for the less than 50km journey from Hsenwi to Lashio, he said. The road to Lashio Even on the road from Mandalay to Lashio, travel conditions are challenging. On November 12, the anti-regime forces blew up the Kyin Thi bridge between Kyaukme and Hsipaw to prevent the military from sending reinforcements into the area. Since then, the junta has been scrambling to repair the bridge. Meanwhile, images have been circulating on social media of cars being lifted from one side to the other by crane. On Tuesday, the regime announced that it had repaired seven other sections of the road between Pyin Oo Lwin and Lashio damaged by the anti-junta groups, allowing travel to resume as far as Kyaukme. However, clashes continue in the area, resulting in some delays. Last week, the military also managed to retake control of the area around the Goteik viaduct in Nawnghkio Township, which borders Mandalay Region, after days of heavy fighting. Truck drivers who had been stranded in the area said they were able to use the road there now, but had to deal with strict inspections. On Monday, a junta convoy of around 50 vehicles, including an armoured car, was seen in Kyaukme after arriving there from Pyin Oo Lwin. Locals said they were likely heading towards Lashio to reinforce control over the town. Fighting in northern Shan State has been devastating for border trade with China, which is worth billions of dollars each year. At present, there is only one border crossing still open to traders—the one at Mongla, in the easternmost part of the country. Disrupted service Travel in other parts of the country have also been severely disrupted by conflict. While border trade with Thailand is still possible, clashes between the military and the Karen National Union in Karen (Kayin) State occasionally affect traffic along the road from Yangon to the border town of Myawaddy. And in Karenni (Kayah) State, fighting frequently prevents bus services from Yangon to the state capital Loikaw, according to service providers. The end of a ceasefire between the Arakan Army and the military last week has also made travel in Rakhine State more difficult. Since fighting erupted on November 13, the junta has imposed a blockade on both land and water routes throughout the state. Travel to other parts of the country is now possible only by air. “There is no bus service between Yangon and Sittwe. We have to rely on air transportation. Airfares are also very expensive,” said a Rakhine resident.

As fighting continues, Myanmar travellers find hitting the road more difficult

Across wide swathes of the country, travel disruptions have added to the hardships many now face

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