Traders reported that the Arakan Army (AA) has slapped a 50 percent tax on imports of foreign liquor, beer, and other alcoholic beverages into areas under its control, just ahead of Thingyan, Myanmar’s annual water festival held on April 13.
With the exception of regime-produced liquor and beer, the United League of Arakan (ULA), the political wing of the AA, has officially allowed imports of foreign alcohol into Arakan (Rakhine) State from April 2 to April 10. The public is permitted to buy, consume, and sell these products from April 2 until May 30.
“It’s good that we can finally get foreign liquor for those who want it. But the tax is really high, 50 percent. If we bring in 10 million MMK worth of goods, half of that goes straight to the AA. That’s a lot to pay just in tax,” A local trader in Mrauk-U Township said.
While the temporary permission is welcomed, some traders and residents said the tax rate is prohibitively steep.
In most parts of Arakan State, locals traditionally consume home-brewed alcohol made from rice. During Thingyan, however, they will have the rare opportunity to enjoy foreign liquors.
“Here, we usually only have traditional rice alcohol. Now the AA is letting us sell and drink foreign liquor for Thingyan, which is great for people who’ve been wanting it. But these drinks are really pricey,” a resident in Maungdaw Township told DMG.
In the local market, a small can of ABC beer sells for between 25,000 and 30,000 MMK, while other liquors range from 50,000 to around 100,000 MMK.
The AA emphasized that this import permit is temporary. After the designated period, anyone wishing to continue importing or selling alcohol must apply through the Alcohol Control Board in their district and obtain a license or official permit. Noncompliance could result in action under existing laws, with violators blacklisted and barred from future licenses.
The ULA initially banned imported liquors from mainland Myanmar and abroad in December 2024, leading to a surge in the sale and consumption of locally made drinks such as raw ginger wine, traditional rice alcohol, and fruit-mixed cocktails.
