The price of Thai imports in Mon State has risen due to trade restrictions imposed by the military junta and fuel shortages affecting transportation costs, according to local sources.
Thai products entering Myanmar through the Three Pagodas Pass and Myawaddy border routes are being seized by junta forces at checkpoints. In addition, the ongoing fuel crisis has doubled transportation costs, further driving up the prices of imported goods, traders say.
Although the Thai baht exchange rate remains stable, prices of Thai goods in the Mawlamyine market have increased compared to January.
“Last month, a liter of Thai cooking oil cost around 7,700 kyats, but now it’s between 8,000 and 9,000 kyats. The price has jumped by over 1,000 kyats within a month,” a Mawlamyine resident reported.
Checkpoints along the Myawaddy-Mawlamyine and Three Pagodas Pass-Mawlamyine routes are extorting traders by demanding higher fees, confiscating goods, or outright blocking shipments.
“I brought in two boxes of collagen, but the junta forces stopped me and demanded taxes. I had to pay 50,000 kyats per box. Next time, they might seize everything, so now we have to smuggle small amounts and bribe them 4,000 to 5,000 kyats to avoid inspections,” a trader explained.
The price surge is also linked to Thai government actions against cybercrime operations in border areas. Since February 5, Thailand has cut off electricity, internet access, and fuel supplies to several locations, including Myawaddy and the Three Pagodas Pass, to crack down on online scam operations. As a result, fuel prices have surged, with petrol now costing over 60 baht per liter in border towns, further impacting trade and transportation.
Following these restrictions, Thai exports to Myanmar have been severely limited, worsening trade difficulties and driving prices even higher.
