Myanmar closes border with Thailand to prevent imports, 500 Thai trucks jam border
(Myawaddy): About 500 trucks loaded with Thai goods are jammed on the Thai side of the 2nd Friendship Bridge connecting Myawaddy in Karen State with Thailand after the Myanmar military imposed a ban on imports, according to a report by Burma News International.
The trucks have been stuck in Mae Sot since August 5. Traders said the closure has been in place for more than two weeks, linked to the arrest of several Myanmar officials, and the military has banned 35 types of goods.
However, exports of agricultural goods from Myanmar to Thailand are still operating normally. Traders said that any Thai goods trying to enter Myanmar, whether through official ports or through corridors, are facing confiscation by the military, making it impossible for anyone to transport them.
This move is causing serious losses to traders, who have to pay for warehouse rent and driver salaries without any operations. Not only that, goods that have already reached Myanmar are also stuck there, unable to be transported further into the country.
