Border inspections, internal blockades cause fuel shortage in Myawaddy Township

Fuel is running out in Karen (Kayin) State’s Myawaddy Township after both the military and the Thai government imposed restrictions on the transport or distribution of supplies to the area, according to locals and traders. Aiming to cut off supplies to criminal online scam compounds, Thai authorities have restricted exports of fuel to Myanmar, forcing consumers and businesses to buy from domestic sources. However, military authorities have now also suspended fuel rationing in Myawaddy, local sources said. One merchant based in Myawaddy Township, who asked not to be named, said the tightened restrictions have stranded some 500 freight trucks in the Thai town of Mae Sot, Tak Province near Friendship Bridge 2, which spans the Thailand-Myanmar border over the Thaungyin (Moei) River. “When they stop trucks down there, they investigate where the goods in those trucks came from. This side has also tightened up a bit,” the merchant said, adding, “It’s not that they won't allow entry. They are allowing it, but only after inspection and approval. It's not like before, when you could enter as you wished.” Imports from Thailand include materials for local construction projects, foods and beverages, and consumer goods. According to the Myawaddy merchant, the current fuel shortage is due to the suspension of rationing in Myawaddy, even though it has continued in the Karen State capital, Hpa-an. Although it was still possible to buy a small amount of diesel until midday on Thursday, other fuels were totally unavailable and fuelling stations in Myawaddy were all closed, according to another Myawaddy resident. “Thailand has been blocking it since the scam issue emerged,” he said, referring to fuel exports. “It hasn’t reopened trade until now. What comes in is from central Myanmar, via the old route through the Dawna hills, but the junta is no longer allowing shipments on that route either.” “Hpa-an should still get some,” he continued. “But on the route from Hpa-an to Kawkareik and Myawaddy, they’re no longer allowing fuel trucks through.” Myanmar Now attempted to reach the junta’s economic affairs minister for Karen State Saw Khin Maung Myint by phone with queries about the fuel shortage and blockade of freight trucks to Myawaddy, but there was no response. The restrictions on fuel shipments may cause a rise in commodity prices and other economic difficulties for merchants. Although Myanmar still purchases and relies on many imported goods, the junta exercises strict control over some of the most vital imports, including pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, limiting the number of import licenses issued to mitigate its shortage of foreign currency. Regime forces have lost wide swathes of territory as well as border crossings to anti-junta armed groups, and have been increasing confiscations of goods at the border, citing licensing violations. Junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said at a meeting of the junta’s top generals this week that authorities must enforce rules against these illegal trade practices to prevent profits from going to resistance and anti-junta armed groups. Battling with Karen-led anti-junta forces, the Myanmar military regained control of the Kyondoe-Kawkareik segment of the Asia Highway in Karen State—which connects Myawaddy with central Myanmar—at the end of July, and plans to use to the route to resume trade with Thailand.

Border inspections, internal blockades cause fuel shortage in Myawaddy Township

The Myanmar junta has paused fuel rationing in the border town of Myawaddy, Karen (Kayin) State after Thai authorities stopped fuel exports to Myanmar to avoid supporting criminal cyberscam operations

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