Regime spokesperson Zaw Min Tun announced on Wednesday that Myanmar has a 40-day fuel reserve and will not face shortages despite disruptions to the global energy supply chain caused by escalating hostilities in the Middle East due to the ongoing U.S.–Israeli attacks on Iran, which began on Feb. 28.
This news comes after the regime announced on March 4 that it will begin to ration fuel for private vehicles.
This means that vehicles will only be allowed to operate on alternating days with license plates ending in odd numbers allowed to operate on roads on odd-numbered days, while those ending in even numbers allowed to operate on even-numbered days.
This measure will take effect on March 7.
Zaw Min Tun claimed that Myanmar has 60 million gallons of petrol and 70 million gallons of diesel in reserve, “in addition to fuel that has already been purchased.”
Myanmar consumes around 3.2 million gallons of fuel per day, including 1.5 million gallons of petrol and 1.7 million gallons of diesel, according to the regime.
Residents in Myanmar’s major cities—including Yangon, Mandalay, Naypyidaw, the Arakan State capital Sittwe, and the Shan State capital Taunggyi—reported long queues at petrol stations on March 4.
A Yangon resident, speaking to DVB on the condition of anonymity, said that the new regime measures at fuel control could lead to corruption as traffic police, or other regime officials, may demand bribes from drivers who violate the rules.
DVB data, referencing the regime’s Road Transport Administration Department, states that Myanmar had more than 600,000 registered passenger vehicles nationwide as of Jan. 31.
Residents in Sittwe told DVB that the price of Gasohol 91/95 rose from 18,000 to 40,000 kyat ($4-10 USD) since March 3. The price of petrol has “surged” since the conflict between the Arakan Army (AA) and regime forces began in November 2023.
Residents of Yangon, Mandalay and Naypyidaw told DVB that fuel prices remained stable at 4,324 kyat ($1.50 USD) per litre and had not increased significantly since March 4.
Petrol stations in border towns such as Tachileik and Myawaddy—which rely on fuel imports from Thailand—have faced long queues this week, according to residents.
Thai media reported on March 3 that many from the Myanmar side of the border have crossed into Thailand to purchase fuel at cheaper prices per liter in Mae Sot, Tak Province, and Mae Sai, Chiang Rai Province.
On March 4, Thailand announced that it has a 61-day fuel reserve and has set price caps to prevent fuel price increases. It will continue to sell fuel at regulated prices for 15 days.
Zaw Min Tun responded by stating that Myanmar is mainly importing fuel from Singapore and Malaysia not Thailand.
He added that fuel prices in Myanmar would “adjust according to global market rates,” but insisted there would be no shortages. He also urged the public to purchase fuel “systematically.”
