A fire broke out at a Thai customs warehouse near the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge No. 2 in Mae Sot, Thailand, destroying more than 200 vehicles, according to local residents and sources in Mae Sot. The fire started around 7:30 PM on March 19 and lasted for approximately two hours, requiring response from all available fire trucks in the city. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The warehouse contained vehicles that had been seized by Thai customs authorities.
According to border traders, most of the vehicles destroyed in the fire were those that had been seized while attempting to be transported into Myanmar, along with vehicles connected to various criminal cases. However, local traders assert that this incident will not significantly impact the border region’s car market and spare parts trade, as regular imports of vehicles and parts continue through Border Guard Force (BGF) checkpoints into Myawaddy Township in Karen State. The border trade primarily deals with second-hand Japanese vehicles, which are popular in Myanmar due to their affordability.
The Thai-Myanmar border region serves as a major route for both legal and illegal vehicle imports into Myanmar, with Myawaddy being a key entry point. Japanese second-hand vehicles are particularly in demand in the Myanmar market due to their competitive pricing. While official channels exist for vehicle imports, there are also numerous unofficial routes through which cars and spare parts enter the country. Thai authorities regularly conduct operations to intercept illegal trade, and the vehicles destroyed in this fire were among those that had been confiscated during such operations. Despite this incident, traders maintain that the regular flow of vehicles and parts through established channels, including BGF-controlled checkpoints, will continue to meet market demand.
