MAE SOT, TAK — More than 500 Thai cargo trucks, loaded with goods destined for Myanmar’s interior, remain stranded at the Mae Sot-Myawaddy 2 border checkpoint as Burmese military authorities enforce tighter transport restrictions.

2,000 foreigners to arrive in Mae Sot from Myawaddy starting Monday

The backlog, stretching across the Thai-Myanmar border in Tak province, stems from new inspections targeting trucks lacking valid cross-border trading licenses. According to Myanmar traders, the measures were ordered by the country’s deputy armed forces commander-in-chief.

Trucks halt Myawaddy runs amid extortion-style levies

In August, some truck operators suspended services after intensified extortion and seizures at checkpoints in Karen State crippled goods transport from Myawaddy, near the Thailand-Myanmar border. Trucks are now repeatedly… pic.twitter.com/yfgyAjYtdl

— Burma News International (@bnionline1) August 13, 2025

Compounding the delays, Myanmar officials at the checkpoint are reportedly demanding road tax payments in U.S. dollars for trucks to proceed further into the country. Local traders allege the policy is designed to disrupt revenue streams of anti-government groups like the Karen National Union (KNU) and People’s Defense Force (PDF), which have historically profited from transport operations.

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The prolonged gridlock threatens supply chains and cross-border trade, with Thai truck operators facing mounting losses as perishable goods risk spoilage. Authorities on both sides have yet to announce a resolution to the standoff.

-Thailand News (TN)