Junta forces extort truck drivers transporting gasoline
February 20, 2025
HURFOM: The junta manned security gate stations between Ka Dar and Hline Ka Main village, Kyikemayaw Township, Mon State have been extorting a huge amount of money from truck drivers who transport gasoline. Local people report that sometimes, junta forces have seized gasoline tanks.
On February 15th, 2025, the security forces stopped a truck transporting gasoline from Mudon Township to Kyarinnseikyi Township, Karen State and extorted 50,000 MMK per gasoline tank from the driver.
“We had to give only 5,000 per truck in the past and we could transport gasoline without problems. On that day, I transported eight tanks of gasoline but the gate didn’t allow me to pass. The troops ordered me to drop off the tanks at their gate. Otherwise, I must pay 50,000 MMK per tank. I had to pay 400,000 MMK on that day,” said a truck driver.
The price of gasoline has been rising in Mon and Karen States and there is now a growing scarcity.
Last month, one liter of diesel was priced at 3,500 MMK but this month, the price rose to 6,000 MMK per liter.
“Now, it isn’t easy to buy gasoline and it’s difficult to transport gasoline. There has been lots of extortion,” said a truck driver.
In order to crack down on call scam gangs operating along the Thai – Burma border, the Thai government has decided to stop transportation of gasoline to Myawaddy and Three Pagoda Pass Towns on February 5th, 2025. This has led many people to buy gasoline in Mawlamyine and transport it to Myawaddy and Three Pagoda Pass by various means.
“There are lots of people who buy and collect gasoline from Mon State and re-sell the gasoline in Myawaddy and Three Pagoda Pass. They’ve made a huge profit from this kind of trade. That’s why it’s getting difficult to buy gasoline here,” said one Mawlamyine resident.
Since February 1st, 2021, which marks the military junta’s attempted coup, Mon State has experienced scarcity of gasoline at least five times.
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