Rule tightening in Thailand causes fuel shortage in Myawaddy
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Fuel stations in the border town of Myawaddy are fretting about fuel shortages following Thailand's stricter rules on fuel transportation across the Moei River.
They said that shortage would be apparent within a week.
The town depends largely on imports from the neighbouring country of Thailand. Yet, the restriction on the weight of trucks passing the old Mae Sot-Myawaddy Friendship Bridge forced fuel companies from Thailand to load fuel from trucks to a pipeline laid above the Moei River.
However, Thai police recently barred such loading, saying that the trucks are licensed to transport fuel through the bridge only.
A fuel station owner said that diesel supply has been declining since Sunday.
“Trucks can pass the bridge but they have to be careful that they won’t breach the maximum weight limit,” the anonymous owner said.
On March 18, over 20 fuel trucks in Mae Sot were told not to transfer the fuel to the pipeline across the Moei River.
Thai PBS, a public TV station in Thailand, reported this week that Somchai Hathayati, the governor of Thailand’s Tak province, tried to ask the police to relax the rules, but there was no success. As shortage in Myanmar is likely come true if the strict rules are further enforced, the matter is now forwarded to the Interior Ministry and the Royal Thai Army.
The fully-loaded oil trucks normally weigh 40-50 tonnnes. However, the friendship bridge recently imposed the weight limit of only 30 tonnes. It was recently reconstructed due to the heavy use in the past years. The bridge was opened for service in 1999.
Residents in Myawaddy are concerned about the prospect of rising prices.
“Prices will increase for sure. Last time, prices doubled in Myawady. I ride a motorcycle taxi. This will hurt my family,” said Naing Lin, a local resident.
Sae Than, who runs Dawna Yadanar Myay fuel station, said that the station relied solely on the transportation by trucks from Thailand.
“If this difficulty continues, we will have to transport fuel from Yangon to Myawaddy,” the owner said.
At present, fuel stations in the town pay 1.5 per cent in custom duty, 10 per cent as trade tax, 2 per cent as advanced tax and 5 per cent as income tax.
Constructed with the maximum weight limit of 45 tonnes, the Mae Sot-Myawaddy Friendship Bridge the current bridge can only accommodate small and medium-size trucks.
Both countries are constructing the second bridge to connect Thailand and Myanmar. The construction started in January. The new bridge will reportedly allow weight limit of 60 tonnes.
Tak Governor Somchai said that the new bridge, with 6 to 8 lanes, should double trade. The bridge requires an investment of Bt3.9 billion.
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Suu Kyi postpones Mon and Kayin trips
Myanmar Eleven
National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi has postponed her trips to Mon and Kayin states during March 27-29 amid reports that she falls ill.
"We will announce dates for her trips later," said Aye Min Han, information officer from the Mon State NLD.
She planned to make public speeches on March 27 and 29 marking General Aung San's 100th birthday.
Last week, there was a report that she sought a medical check-up at a Nay Pyi Taw hospital and missed parliamentary meetings during March 16-17.
Her family doctor Tin Myo Win has insisted that she is in good health.
"Aunty is in good health. Her trips were postponed as she's very tired due to her recent trips. And she is also due to attend Parliament. The rescheduling is not due to her health,” the doctor said.
Suu Kyi travelled to Mawlamyine, the capital city of Mon State in 2012, and to Kayin in January 2014.
