Residents of Mawdaung are facing serious food shortages after all border and inland transport routes were blocked, while fighting continues in nearby areas, according to local residents.
At the Thai–Myanmar border gate in Mawdaung, Thai authorities have suspended the import of goods for nearly one month. At the same time, clashes between resistance forces and military junta troops along the Tanintharyi–Mawdaung road have made travel increasingly difficult.
Since November 15, Thailand has blocked the cross-border transport of goods. In recent days, fighting has intensified near Theahpyu village along the Tanintharyi–Mawdaung road, further disrupting transportation.
As a result, basic food items such as rice, cooking oil, and salt are no longer available in Mawdaung and surrounding villages. Grocery shops are running out of supplies, residents said.
“Some displaced people have returned home, but life is very difficult in the town and villages. Shops have almost nothing left to sell, and many households have no rice or oil. People who returned are struggling to find food,” a local resident said.
After the military coup, Thailand repeatedly restricted crossings at the Mawdaung border gate due to security concerns. However, limited goods imports were previously allowed through informal arrangements. Following renewed fighting in November, imports were fully blocked again.
Aid workers assisting displaced residents said they have been negotiating with border authorities to allow food deliveries.
“We can transport goods only once a week, on Mondays. Vehicles are not allowed to cross the border, so goods must be transferred at the border. Supplies are still not enough because the number of residents is high. We share what we have as best we can,” one aid worker said.
Before resistance forces took control of Mawdaung, residents obtained goods from Myeik and Thabawtleik villages. However, after Mawdaung was seized, the military junta tightened restrictions on goods coming from those areas, making supplies harder to obtain.
A local resident said there is currently no fighting inside Mawdaung itself, as resistance forces have secured the town. However, military junta troops have been advancing from the Theahpyu area since Mawdaung was captured, triggering clashes there.
Due to the fighting, thousands of residents from Theahpyu village and around ten nearby villages have fled their homes and are seeking safety elsewhere, according to local sources.
