A fire broke out at a customs warehouse near the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge No. 2 in Mae Sot, Thailand, destroying more than 200 vehicles, according to local residents and border traders. The incident occurred around 7:30 PM on March 19, with the fire burning for approximately two hours before being extinguished by all available fire trucks in the city. The warehouse, operated by Thai Customs Department, was used to store seized vehicles.
The destroyed vehicles were primarily those that had been confiscated while attempting to be transported into Myanmar, along with vehicles seized in connection with various criminal cases. However, border traders assert that this incident will not significantly impact the border region’s car market and auto parts trade. This is because regular imports of vehicles and parts continue through Border Guard Force (BGF) checkpoints. The warehouse fire, while substantial, affected only seized vehicles that were not intended for the regular market.
Myawaddy Township in Karen State serves as a major entry point for Japanese second-hand vehicles imported from Thailand, with cars and auto parts being sold at competitive prices. While the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation, local residents reported seeing significant flames visible throughout the city. Thai authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fire and calculating the total value of the damages. The incident highlights the complex nature of cross-border trade in the region, where official and unofficial channels coexist in the movement of vehicles and auto parts between Thailand and Myanmar.
