Fuel prices in Dawei District have surged to record levels, reaching tens of thousands of kyats per liter as the regional fuel shortage intensifies.
While major filling stations in Dawei town reportedly sell fuel for nearly 4,000 MMK per liter, sales are strictly limited, forcing the majority of residents to rely on the black market. According to local sources, black market prices in town now range from 10,000 to 20,000 MMK per liter.
“I personally bought some for 10,000 [per liter]. When I checked today, people were saying it has reached 20,000, though I haven’t gone to buy any at that price yet,” a Dawei resident said.
The crisis has extended to rural areas where prices have also climbed above the 10,000 MMK mark. “The absolute minimum is 9,000 kyats. Most places have already hit 10,000 or 12,000,” a resident from Launglon Township reported.
The sharp price spike and increased scarcity follow an inspection on March 20, when the Regional Military Commission raided fuel companies located on Strand Road in Dawei. The commission pressured these companies to restrict sales, which immediately destabilized the market.
A fuel distributor for rural areas stated that since the companies on Strand Road halted operations, they can no longer supply the villages. “The main issue is we have nothing left for the rural areas. We can only provide a tiny amount to fishing boats from what remains,” the distributor explained.
Despite prices reaching five figures per liter, residents say there is still not enough fuel available to meet demand.
The crisis has caused transportation costs between rural villages and the town to more than double. Drivers noted that a 30-mile trip that previously cost 30,000 MMK now costs upwards of 70,000 MMK.
“Just going to the clinic in Dawei costs nearly 100,000 kyats in travel expenses alone. We don’t have fuel for our own motorcycles, so we are forced to hire transport like this,” said a resident from Launglon.
Locals observed that as of today, motorcycle and vehicle traffic in Dawei has significantly thinned out due to the exorbitant costs and lack of availability.
Furthermore, the military junta has begun arresting fuel sellers. On March 16, a man in his 40s was arrested in Launglon for selling fuel. Authorities reportedly seized five barrels of fuel and 50 bags of cement during the arrest, according to local residents.
