NATIONAL, February 4, 2025 – Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai chaired a meeting today on suspending electricity and fuel exports to Myanmar border areas to disrupt transnational crime operations (Mostly call center scams).
The decision affects five key locations, including Three Pagodas Pass in Kanchanaburi, the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridges in Tak and Chiang Rai, and two villages in Mae Sot. The suspension took effect on February 5th at 9:00 AM.
The affected areas fall under three customs checkpoints—Mae Sai, Mae Sot, and Sangkhla Buri—which had a combined export value of over 91 billion baht in 2024.
Authorities are closely monitoring the economic impact, with concerns that short-term power cuts may disrupt legitimate local businesses and residents in Myanmar, though illegal casinos are expected to continue operating with backup power sources.
The suspension of fuel exports may have long-term effects, increasing power generation costs and forcing businesses to find alternative supply routes. Meanwhile, Thailand’s Foreign Trade Department is preparing to host a cross-border trade fair in Mae Sot in late March 2025 to strengthen economic ties.
Myanmar has been engaged in a brutal civil war for several years between the military junta and various ethnic armies, dividing the country into multiple pieces.
