Junta’s closure of “Thai-Burma” Friendship Bridge creates commodity shortage

August 20, 2025

HURFOM: Since August 18^th, 2025, the military junta has closed the “No. 2 Thai – Burma Friendship Bridge” in Myawaddy Town, Karen State. Now more than 500 trucks carrying imports into Burma are stuck in Mae Sot, Thailand.

The one-sided closure of the bridge has created a scarcity of commodities and gasoline and prices have sky-rocketed.

“The army has closed the No. 2 bridge and many lorries are stuck. The commodity and cosmetics imported from Thailand didn’t reach the market and prices are now increasing,” said a cosmetic seller.

On August 13^th, the junta arrested gasoline importers in Myawaddy Town which led to a shortage of gasoline. The price of a liter of gasoline has risen to 10,000 MMK.

“Myawaddy has run out of gasoline. We have to go to Mae Sot to get gasoline. Now, every gas station in the town has run out of gasoline,” said a Myawaddy resident.

On August 13^th, the junta announced that it banned 13 foreign imports and the announcement had created instability in the market.

“As soon as the bridge was closed, sellers increased their prices. The price of a pack of cooking oil increased from 7,000 to 8,000 MMK. The commodity price has sharply increased,” said a resident from Ye Township.

The junta justified that the closure of the bridge was to cut the flow of funds of the revolutionary groups which were supported by illegal trade in goods. The junta has also reinforced their troop presence to tighten security, and crack down on illegal trade.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News