Myanmar-Thai border trade halted amid fighting between junta and resistance forces

By Admin 06 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
6 December 2023, Kawkareik, Kayin State

The border trade between Myanmar and Thailand has temporarily ceased due to ongoing fighting between the military and anti-regime forces in Kawkareik, Kayin (Karen) State.

Traffic along the Kawkareik-Myawaddy road has been temporarily suspended after fierce clashes between the military and a coalition led by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) were reported in Kawkareik from December 1 to December 6.

“The fighting is ongoing. Resistance forces conduct checks on travellers and vehicles on the Asia Highway. The military and Border Guard Force also tighten security checks on passengers and vehicles. Traffic along the Asia Highway has been suspended temporarily due to military tensions and I don’t know exactly when the road will reopen,” said a border trader in Kawkareik.

The price for one sack of high quality rice Paw Hsan Hmwe increased to K200,000 from K150,000 and the price for one viss of cooking oil soared to K30,000 from K13,000 in Myawaddy. The prices of other basic commodities are also going up in Myawaddy, according to grocery owners.

“The fighting is intensifying in Myawaddy Township. The military bans local merchants from transporting goods. The prices of basic commodities such as rice and cooking oil are skyrocketing. A sack of rice costs over Thai Baht 2,000,” lamented a shopkeeper in Myawaddy.

The price of basic food products exported from Myanmar has also increased in Mae Sot, Thailand, due to the suspension of border trade, according to a Myanmar grocery store owner in Mae Sot.

Myanmar exported US$21 million worth goods and imported US$83.39 worth of goods from Thailand via the Myawaddy border trade zone from November 2 to December 1, according to data from the junta-controlled Ministry of Commerce.