Myanmar Spring Chronicle – Scenes from March 25
(MoeMaKa), March 26, 2026
The Fuel Crisis Hitting the People of Myanmar
In daily news, for car owners, motorbike riders, and those who depend on transportation for their livelihoods, the first thing on their minds—from before going to bed at night until before dawn—is lining up for fuel and trying to obtain it.
As the impact of conflicts in the Middle East has extended beyond three weeks, fuel shortages have been steadily worsening alongside the rising heat of summer.
The war, which began on the 28th of last month, was triggered by escalating tensions: Israel’s ambition to weaken rival states and expand its territory, Iran’s resistance to the U.S.-dominated dollar-based oil trade system, and restrictions on exploiting Iran’s oil resources. The resulting conflict—spreading across Gulf countries, Iran, Israel, and Lebanon—has led to a global oil crisis.
While some countries and regions are mainly suffering from rising prices without severe shortages of fuel and gas, East Asian economies—reliant on manufacturing rather than resource exports—are among the hardest hit by supply disruptions. Wealthier nations like Japan, China, and South Korea have managed to remain relatively stable so far thanks to fuel reserves. However, countries without such reserves are struggling to manage the crisis through conservation measures and various emergency strategies to prevent a complete halt to daily life.
ASEAN countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia are reportedly implementing fuel-saving policies and seeking assistance from neighboring countries with strategic reserves.
For Myanmar, already engulfed in civil war, the signs point to even more severe consequences than those faced by other countries in the region.
Due to the conflict, trade and transportation are already disrupted by blockages and restrictions. Fuel shortages are therefore having a much greater impact in remote areas, conflict zones, and regions with difficult access. In some parts of Myanmar—where daily wages are lower than in Thailand—fuel prices are reportedly two to three times higher than in Thailand. For example, in Kachin State, northern Sagaing Region, Chin State, and northern Shan State (where cross-border imports have recently been restricted), gasoline is being sold at between 10,000 and 15,000 kyats per liter.
At such prices, transporting agricultural goods, trading products between regions, and sustaining livelihoods have become significantly more difficult. Traveling for medical treatment has also become harder due to the high cost of fuel.
In cities, scenes of long fuel lines are flooding daily news and social media. Whether for household use or business, people are spending two to three hours in queues just to fill up. Reports have emerged of people fainting or suffering health issues while waiting under the intense summer heat.
Authorities have experimented with various control measures—such as limiting vehicle use by odd-even days and requiring license verification via scanning systems—but people’s lives continue to grow increasingly difficult.
Most reports in media and social platforms highlight the struggles of transportation sectors in obtaining fuel. However, there is far less visibility on how fuel shortages are affecting agriculture, manufacturing, and small household businesses. Only scattered reports mention delays in getting produce like vegetables to market and rising transportation costs driving up commodity prices.
Currently, this is also the harvest season for summer paddy. While detailed data on fuel procurement costs and their impact on rice production is scarce, there are reports of sharp increases in rice prices. For instance, Paw San Hmwe rice, which previously sold for around 7,000 kyats per basket before the crisis, has now reportedly risen to over 10,000 kyats.
The fuel crisis is affecting not only livelihoods but even death rites. Due to diesel shortages, municipal crematoriums are facing difficulties operating. Reports indicate challenges in cremating bodies. Even in Thailand, there are accounts of cremations using firewood and charcoal due to diesel shortages, and families being asked to help procure fuel.
Despite widespread fuel shortages—including aviation fuel—the military junta has not halted its airstrikes. Daily aerial attacks continue in regions such as northern Sagaing, parts of Bago and Rakhine, Kachin State, and southern Myanmar.
At a time when people across the world are facing fuel crises, the Myanmar military’s continued airstrikes stand out as particularly disturbing. Even as the entire nation suffers, prioritizing aerial warfare over all other concerns represents one of the darkest chapters in history—an episode that will undoubtedly be recorded as a grave injustice.