August 7, 2026
Thai authorities at the Myawaddy-Mae Sot Friendship Bridge No. 1 have implemented strict new regulations to ban Myanmar vehicles causing traffic congestion from entering Mae Sot for up to three months.
The measure, effective August 6, aims to crack down on vehicles engaged in fuel smuggling that have been severely disrupting bridge traffic.
In recent months, fuel smugglers from Myanmar have been using vehicles with cloned license plates and fake documents. They park illegally on the bridge, fraudulently obtain Mae Sot entry passes, purchase Thai fuel, and transport it back to Myanmar for resale.
A vehicle owner from Myawaddy stated that the new rules were issued in response to widespread public criticism over the daily traffic jams caused by these illegally parked vehicles.
“Owners in Myawaddy use fake license plates to clone vehicles and modify them to hold more fuel. They abuse the Mae Sot entry pass, buy Thai fuel near the bridge, and resell it. Hundreds of cars are doing this daily, blocking traffic and causing extreme difficulties for regular travelers.
Now, the Thai side has banned parking on the bridge, warning that violators will face up to a 3-month ban from entering Mae Sot,” the local explained.
According to informed sources, this illicit trade is booming due to high fuel demand in Myanmar. Smuggling Thai fuel yields significantly higher profit margins compared to transporting regular passengers or goods.
“Thai fuel prices are currently stable. A 20 liter yellow gallon of 95 Octane costs
1,150 Baht . In Myawaddy, pump prices are 9,000 MMK per liter (approximately 70 Baht), meaning 20 liters cost 180,000 MMK (approxumately 1400 Baht). Because of this high profit margin, smugglers are using cloned cars and fake documents, colluding with Myanmar military and departmental officials at the bridge to smuggle the fuel,” a source detailed.
While Thai authorities in Mae Sot actively monitor and arrest these smugglers, Myanmar junta officials stationed at the bridge have reportedly taken no action, instead earning massive incomes from bribes, line fees, and extortion.
Under the new regulations issued by Thai authorities at Bridge No. 1, unruly Myanmar vehicles will face a progressive penalty scale, a one week entry ban for the first offense, a one month ban for the second offense, and up to a three month ban from entering Mae Sot for a third offense.
