Thai coup delays car imports to Myanmar

Around 1,000 cars of different brands are waiting to be imported as border trade remains limited due to Thailand’s political situation.

The Thai-Myanmar friendship bridge crosses the Thaungyin River which marks the border
between the two countries. Since a military coup, border trade has been limited to basic
commodities and only at certain hours of the day, severely hampering local businesses.

“Previously, about 100 cars a day crossed to Myawaddy. After Thailand’s military coup,
temporary closing of the border gate has reached to 15 days and the numbers of cars waiting to cross the river has become 1,000,” said a car dealer from the Myanmar border town of Myawaddy.

Thai companies dealing Japanese second-hand cars transport these cars in containers from
Bangkok to a car-park near the Thaungyin River bank where Myanmar dealers can purchase
them at reduced rates before importing the vehicles.

The total numbers of cars awaiting import approval at various gates may be over 10,000,
according to some estimates. Thai law says these cars can only stay there for 21 days but
dealers pay up to one year in fines to operate their business.

source: Eleven Myanmar

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