Gasoline prices tripled since coup: Transportation and livelihoods experiencing increasing hardships

February 12, 2022

HURFOM: Since the February, 2021 coup ,  the price of gasoline has gradually been increasing.  One year later, the gas has tripled in price. 

On February 8, 2022, a liter of diesel  is  priced at about 1,700 Kyat and a liter of

premium diesel is priced at 1,800 Kyat. A liter of 92 octane is priced at 1,700 Kyat and the same amount of 95 octane is priced at 1,800 Kyat.

“Before the coup, a liter of gasoline was priced at about 500 or 600 Kyat only. Compared with today ‘s price, it’s tripled. All travel and transportation fees have risen so everyone is in trouble,” said a taxi driver from Ye Town, Ye Township, Mon State.

According to some gas station owners,  the price of gas may rise even higher in the future.

The prices for gold, US dollars, rice and other commodities have also doubled or even tripled.

Alongside  rising commodity prices villagers have been losing  their jobs, leaving them with insufficient income.  Livelihoods are threatened. 

“Before, we got about 30,000 Kyat every day from my rubber plantation and it was enough for my family. Now the rubber price has risen and we’ve gotten more income but the commodity prices have risen so much more that  we can’t afford things even with our income. Everything is getting tough,” said a housewife from Mudon Township.

Motorbike taxi drivers are experiencing reductions in their incomes or are losing their jobs due to increasing gasoline prices and fewer customers.

The military junta has also imposed more restrictions on the transportation and travel sector.   Travel agencies in the Mawlamyine May Ne Gone Highway Station have been ordered to close their business operations.

.

Comments

Got something to say?

You must be logged in to post a comment.