A major fire broke out at a Thai Customs Department warehouse near the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge No. 2 in Mae Sot, resulting in the destruction of more than 200 vehicles, according to Thai news sources and Myanmar residents in Mae Sot. The fire, which started around 7:30 PM on March 19, lasted for approximately two hours and required the deployment of all available fire trucks in the city to contain the blaze. The warehouse was reportedly used to store vehicles that were either intended for export to Myanmar or had been seized in connection with various criminal cases, according to border traders.
The Mae Sot-Myawaddy border area serves as a crucial trading point between Thailand and Myanmar, particularly for the import of Japanese second-hand vehicles and auto parts at competitive prices. Border traders have indicated that the fire incident will not significantly impact the border car market and spare parts trade, as regular trading activities continue through Border Guard Force (BGF) checkpoints. The warehouse contained vehicles that had been confiscated by Thai customs authorities, including those involved in illegal trading activities and various criminal investigations.
While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, the affected vehicles were primarily those that had been seized by Thai customs officials during enforcement operations. The incident has drawn significant attention from local authorities and residents, who are documenting the extent of the damage. Despite the substantial loss of vehicles in the warehouse, regular cross-border trade activities between Thailand and Myanmar continue to operate through established channels, with traders emphasizing that the market for vehicles and auto parts remains stable in the border region.
