The cost of fuel in Mawlamyine, Mon State’s capital, exceed the price in Yangon and Mandalay, according to U Thant Sin, manager of Denko Fuel station. “The fuel prices have risen dramatically within one or two months. We are only selling at the rate that has been set by the company,” he said.

Fuel rates have jumped in recent months from K790 to K815 for regular diesel, from K810 to K835 for premium diesel, from K800 to K825 for 92-octane, and from K850 to K875 for 95-octaine.

By comparison, the rates in Yangon are K735 for regular diesel, K775 for premium diesel, K740 for 92-octane, and K735 for 95-octane.

“The current prices are the highest – it’s nearly K900 per liter,” said an official from Yazar Min Fuel Station. “Prices started rising in October. They haven’t dropped at all.”

U Tun Naing, who works for Mawlamyine No. 7 bus line, said the elevated cost of fuel has cut into local bus companies’ profits.

“In the past, we could run seven rounds if we fill up [with fuel] worth K20,000 every day. Now, we sometimes have to fill up with K5000 worth of fuel during our last round sometimes,” he said.