Fuel Supply Limited in Some Townships in Eastern Shan State, Prices Rise

Mekong, July 14 Fuel stations in some townships in eastern Shan State have begun limiting fuel sales and prices have increased, according to local residents. This situation has occurred after news spread about a decrease in fuel imports from Thailand to Tachileik. On July 14, at a fuel station in Tachileik, Maing Yone, only 1 liter of gasoline per motorcycle was sold for 40 to 80 baht, and other fuel stations also stopped selling by the container, with prices outside reaching up to 60 baht per liter. In Kengtung, gasoline prices jumped from 5,000 kyats per liter yesterday to 7,000 kyats per liter on July 14. In Maing Sat and Maing Ton, fuel prices are currently 5,200 kyats and external prices are 5,500 kyats, with only 2 liters allowed per motorcycle. Diesel prices are only about 2 baht less than gasoline, but it is said that cars are filled as needed and cannot be purchased by the container. In Mae Sai, Thailand, across the river from Tachileik, the Thai government is still investigating fuel purchases involving large amounts of money transfer, as it has been investigating money laundering by drug gangs in recent days. Amidst this, news that the number of fuel tankers transporting fuel to Myanmar via the Mekong River has been reduced from 5 per week, which used to transport as much as needed, to 3 per week, has caused public concern about fuel shortages, leading to increased purchases. In the region, including Tachileik, fuel has been purchased and sold from Thailand monthly, with over 400,000 liters sold not only in Maing Sat, Maing Ton, and Maing Phyat townships, but also in Maing Pan and Nam San townships in southern Shan State. The Thai government has stated that the tightening of fuel exports in border areas is intended to prevent fuel from reaching transnational criminal networks, including online scam gangs.