A fire broke out at a Thai customs warehouse near the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge No. 2 in Mae Sot, Thailand, resulting in the destruction of more than 200 vehicles, according to local residents and sources in Mae Sot. The fire, which started around 7:30 PM on March 19, lasted approximately two hours and required the response of all available fire trucks in the city. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. The incident occurred at a facility where the Thai Customs Department stores seized vehicles.
According to border traders, the majority of the vehicles stored in the warehouse were those intercepted while attempting to cross into Myanmar, along with vehicles seized in connection with various criminal cases. However, local merchants assert that this incident will not significantly impact the border region’s automotive market and spare parts trade, as regular cross-border commerce continues through Border Guard Force (BGF) checkpoints. The warehouse primarily contained confiscated vehicles that were not intended for the legitimate market.
Myawaddy Township in Karen State serves as a major entry point for Japanese used cars imported from Thailand, with vehicles and auto parts being imported at competitive prices. Current border trade operations continue as usual, and local traders confirm that the fire incident has not affected official trade routes. While regular commercial activities remain uninterrupted, the total value of losses from the fire has not yet been calculated. The incident highlights the complex nature of cross-border trade in the region, where both legal and illegal vehicle movements are common occurrences along the Thai-Myanmar border.
