There is a shortage of fuel, especially diesel in many Mon State townships because two junta-aligned ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) from Karen State are buying large amounts of fuel in Mon State.

Since mid-February 2025, under junta authorisation, the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) and Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) have been crossing into Mon State from Karen State to buy mainly diesel and other fuel at petrol stations to stockpile.

This has resulted in Mon State petrol stations running out of diesel and having shortages of other fuels which is causing long queues of customers at petrol stations.

A source from Mon State who requested anonymity said to Than Lwin Times: “The individuals in uniforms, who identified themselves as economic officers of the EAOs, frequently arrived at fuel stations to purchase large amounts of fuel, primarily diesel. While they also bought some petrol, it was in smaller quantities. Diesel is now nearly impossible to find at most stations, although petrol is still available. Fuel prices are also increasing.”

On 5 February 2025, the Thai government started cutting fuel and electricity supplies to towns on the Myanmar side of the border as part of a crackdown on telecom scam gangs operating in the region.

The Karen BGF and DKBA bought as much fuel as they could from the Karen State townships of  Hpa-An and Hlaingbwe and from many other townships in neighbouring Mon State and transported it to the Karen State towns of Myawaddy, Shwe Kokko, and Payathonzu (Three Pagoda Pass) towns which are home to scam centres on the Thai border.

Diesel is needed to run generators to provide electricity to keep the scam centres in these areas running, following the Thai electricity export ban.

The junta has also forbidden the import of any fuel into these border areas, either on trucks or passenger vehicles, unless it is bound for the BGF or DKBA.

The junta-appointed Mon State government has not yet acted to address the fuel shortage issue.