The residents of Myawady are facing significant difficulties due to the suspension of fuel imports from Thailand into Myanmar.

On the morning of February 6, fuel and gas imports from Thailand were halted, reportedly due to security measures related to counterinsurgency operations. This has led to transportation challenges for vehicles and motorcycles, as well as a surge in the black-market fuel trade.

Fuel stations in Myawady have shut down, forcing those in urgent need of fuel to travel to Mae Sot, Thailand, to refill their tanks. Consequently, heavy traffic congestion has been reported on the Friendship Bridge connecting Myawaddy and Mae Sot.

The traffic jam has also affected school transport vehicles and emergency medical transport services, causing additional hardships for the community.

Moreover, local industries, including garment factories relying on generators, have been forced to shut down due to fuel shortages.

A Myawady resident expressed frustration, stating, “Since Mae Sot has stopped fuel supply, local fuel transport and sales are not allowed either. If caught transporting fuel, authorities confiscate it immediately. In the black market, a 5-gallon container is now sold for nearly 300,000 kyats. Many low-income individuals, including motorcycle taxi drivers, are unable to work. With fuel shortages, prices of all goods are also rising.”

As more residents cross into Mae Sot to purchase fuel, the congestion around the Friendship Bridge remains severe, further complicating daily life in Myawady.