Myanmar-Thai border trade halts amid fighting between regime and Karen forces

By Admin 30 Mar 2023

DMG Newsroom
30 March 2023, Myawaddy, Kayin State

The border trade between Myanmar and Thailand has temporarily ceased after an import-export office in the border trade zone in Myawaddy, Kayin (Karen) State, was attacked and burned to the ground.

Fierce clashes between the military and a coalition led by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and Kawthoolei Army were reported on March 25 in the Myawaddy border trade zone, as well as at Kyonedoe and near Kawkareik.

Since that day, cargo trucks have been stranded in Myawaddy town, and authorities in Mae Sot, Thailand, have temporarily banned truck traffic.

“The border trade between Myanmar and Thailand stopped after the border trade zone in Myawaddy was attacked. Thailand has temporarily banned cargo trucks from Myanmar. So dozens of cargo trucks are trapped in Myawaddy,” said a border trade merchant.

Cargo trucks travelling from Yangon to Myawaddy are still parked along the Hpa-an to Eindu road, said truck drivers plying routes between Yangon and Myawaddy.

Small vehicles, passenger buses and cargo trucks were seen along the Myawaddy-Kawkareik stretch of the Asia Highway on Thursday morning and fighting has been ongoing on some parts of the Asia Highway and near Myawaddy.

“Trade between the two countries has been halted for the time being as Thailand has closed off the entry of trucks,” confirmed another border trade merchant. “We are currently looking at the traffic situation.”

Though official channels are temporarily closed, there is some illegal trade taking place via jungle roads, according to residents of Myawaddy.

“Vehicles are no longer allowed to pass the border gates and some people are trading illegally,” said one such resident. “It’s a long way. Normally it would only take an hour, but now it takes four hours. The cost of travel is twice as much as before, and the prices of goods are going up.”

Myanmar exports various crops through the Myawaddy border trade zone and primarily imports basic food and medicine, consumer goods such as cosmetics, and raw construction materials from Thailand.