Fuel purchase limits set by the military junta differ significantly from the actual availability faced by residents at fuel stations across 10 townships in Mon State, according to vehicle users.
The junta-controlled Mon State Supervisory Committee for Oil and Petroleum Products has issued guidelines on fuel distribution based on vehicle categories. The directive states that emergency vehicles—including ambulances, funeral service vehicles, and municipal garbage trucks—should be allowed to purchase fuel without “odd-even” restrictions if they present recommendations from relevant organizations or department heads.
However, many fuel stations are not following these rules. A driver from a social rescue organization said that even emergency vehicles and transport vehicles are still required to comply with the “odd-even” system.
“I had a patient with severe abdominal pain in the vehicle. When I arrived at the station and asked for fuel, explaining it was an emergency, they asked whether it was an ‘odd’ or ‘even’ day and whether we had a wheelchair. Since we didn’t have a wheelchair, they refused to sell fuel, saying they were following the rules,” a driver who experienced the situation said.
At the beginning of the fuel shortage, authorities announced that motorcycle users in Mon State would be allowed to purchase fuel worth up to 10,000 kyats. In practice, however, residents in wards and villages said they can only buy 3,000 to 5,000 kyats’ worth every two days, often after waiting in long queues.
A resident from Mudon said, “No matter what announcements are issued, they only sell as much as they want. Not all stations are the same—some do sell—but others only allow 5,000 or 7,000 kyats’ worth.”
Restrictions based on odd-even days have limited movement and are significantly affecting the livelihoods of residents in Mon State. The current fuel distribution system is also creating difficulties for vehicle users.
According to data from the Rehmonnya Institute for Community-Based Political Research, more than 88 percent of Mon State residents reported difficulty in purchasing fuel, while over 11 percent said they frequently experience fuel shortages.
Despite the ongoing fuel crisis, the military junta’s state-level legislature has not held discussions on the issue and has instead focused on forming committees.
