Fuel Shortage Chaos: Long Queues at Thai-Myanmar Border

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In Myanmar's Myawaddy border township, drivers face 5km-long queues to cross into Mae Sot, Thailand, just to refuel. This has become a common occurrence since February 5, when Thailand cut essential supplies to pressure Myanmar and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) to dismantle Chinese-run scam call centers in Myawaddy, Tachileik, and Payathonzu.

These efforts have forced many scammers to flee or relocate to Cambodia. Over 6,000 individuals from various nationalities have been rescued by the DKBA and Karen Border Guard Force. However, they are now held by the Karen forces, pending Thai government approval to cross into Thailand.

An insider at the border reports that small gas stations in Myawaddy have closed, leaving only larger stations open for just an hour daily. The official fuel price is 70 baht per liter for benzine and 71 baht for diesel, while on the black market, prices soar to 130 baht per liter, reported The Thaiger.