Report on the Fuel Crisis and Socio-Economic Impacts in Mon State
Introduction
The Iranian war and military conflicts in the Middle East in 2026 have significantly shaken the global oil and fuel market. The direct consequences of this global crisis have rapidly reached Mon State across borders. Along with rising international oil prices, severe fuel shortages have occurred domestically, and government management restrictions such as the “odd/even system” and “purchase volume limits” directly threaten the daily lives of the public.
This report analyzes how the fuel crisis caused by the global conflict has profoundly impacted the economic, educational, and health sectors of local people in Mon State, based on field survey results and factual information. In particular, the final section of the report openly presents the public’s direct demands and policy recommendations for the newly emerging Mon State Parliament to effectively check and balance government policy errors. This report is systematically prepared using the following methods to ensure data accuracy and solid evidence.
- Quantitative Data Collection Data was collected directly from local residents, parents, primary laborers, and drivers across various townships in Mon State. This was conducted using a Google Form questionnaire titled “Survey on the Fuel Crisis and Socio-Economic Impacts in Mon State.”
- Qualitative Data Collection This study incorporates an academic analysis based on the personal accounts (quotes) of survey participants and the direct demands of local residents to provide a qualitative perspective on the crisis.
- Media & Secondary Data Analysis Evidence and findings from this report are integrated with reports published in March 2026 by the Independent Mon News Agency (IMNA) and the Than Lwin Times, alongside corroborated statements from local community members.
- Respondents’ background information
- Fuel Procurement Difficulties
According to respondents, fuel is no longer easily accessible at filling stations. A significant majority (88.2%) reported that fuel can only be obtained after queuing for extended periods, while 11.8% stated that stations are experiencing frequent stockouts. While the situation has not yet reached a point of total unavailability, it can be concluded that the process of procuring fuel has become extremely difficult.
- Negative Impacts of the Even/Odd License Plate System
According to the collective feedback from survey respondents, 64.7% reported that the even/odd license plate regulations prevented them from traveling or commuting to work on days that did not match their vehicle’s number. Furthermore, 47.1% noted that even on days when their numbers matched, their efforts were often in vain due to fuel being out of stock at the stations.
Regarding purchase limits, 29.4% stated they could not buy the government-mandated quota, receiving only the limited amount permitted by the individual stations. Additionally, 35.3% of respondents observed that stations completely refused to sell fuel to those attempting to buy with containers or drums. The system has also led to legal complications, with 17.6% of participants reporting that they had been inspected, detained, or fined due to even/odd violations. Finally, 5.9% mentioned that motorcyclists using temporary license plates were also denied fuel sales.
- Growth of the Black Market:
One of the most severe consequences of the fuel crisis is the emergence of a massive black market. According to initial findings, only 5.9% of respondents were able to purchase fuel from external black-market sources at prices below 5,000 MMK; however, prices have escalated steadily on a daily basis.
While 5.9% of participants reported purchasing fuel at rates between 5,000 and 8,000 MMK per liter, 17.6% had to pay between 8,000 and 10,000 MMK. The data shows that a vast majority—70.6%—faced the most critical situation, where prices surged exponentially to 10,000 MMK and above per liter.
Fuel Crisis and Economic Impacts
Due to mismanagement of fuel resources, residents of Mon State are suffering from rising costs and reduced income. In particular, restrictions on fuel purchases may lead to a long-term decline in the productive capacity of the local fishing and agricultural industries.
- Disruption of Basic Production Sectors and Income Streams
“Fishermen can’t buy fuel at all. It’s very difficult for them to get fuel because they don’t sell it by the container. Those who load boats have finished loading, and they’ve abandoned it because they can’t buy fuel.” — A Fishery Worker, March 15, 2026 (Thanlwin Times)
According to the directive issued on March 4, 2026, by the Mon State Department of Petroleum Products Inspection, the prohibition of purchasing fuel in containers/drums has directly halted local production. Fishing boats and agricultural machinery, which can only transport fuel in containers since they cannot go to the gas station themselves, have been forced to completely cease operations due to the inability to purchase fuel. This has immediately disrupted the income streams of fishermen and bean farmers, severely impacting their livelihoods.
- Mismanagement and Overburdening of Transportation Costs
“On even-numbered days, only even-numbered vehicles can operate as taxis, and on odd-numbered days, only odd-numbered vehicles can operate. How can we make a living with 5,000 kyats? We start at 5 AM and only get [fuel]at 11 AM. We can’t drive taxis; the time spent queuing for fuel means the trips we could make with 5,000 kyats are no longer profitable.” — A resident of Paung Township, March 21, 2026 (Independent Mon News Agency)
The “even/odd” system and the fact that people have to spend almost half the day queuing in lines stretching about a mile at gas stations is a waste of time and exhausting for the public. Drivers also lose productive hours, so they have to add these costs to fares and freight charges. As a result, the cost of the Mawlamyine-Phayathonesu route has risen from 800 baht to almost 1000 baht, making daily operations a major challenge.
- Commodity Price Inflation and Consumption Crisis
“We simply cannot buy fuel. It has caused so many difficulties. We can’t buy anything anymore. These days, even fresh produce doesn’t arrive on schedule. Because the transport is delayed by the fuel crisis, the goods are often withered or rotten by the time they arrive. We are forced to pay high prices for whatever quality items are left.”— A housewife, March 13, 2026 (Than Lwin Times)
In Mon State, the government has ceased selling US dollars to fuel importers at official rates, forcing them to purchase currency at black-market exchange rates. Consequently, fuel prices in the region are higher than in other areas, triggering a chain reaction that drives up commodity prices. The combination of rising transportation costs and supply shortages has pushed the price of chicken in Mawlamyine to approximately 24,000 MMK. Furthermore, with fuel prices in the black market reaching between 10,000 and 15,000 MMK per liter, the cost of living for the general public has surged exponentially.
Fuel Crisis and Its Impacts on Education
The fuel crisis has led to the loss of learning opportunities and placed an undue burden on family livelihoods, directly affecting the education of young students. If these conditions persist, it represents a long-term threat that could significantly delay the educational development of the state.
- Disruption of Learning Opportunities and School Attendance
“Education is significantly delayed. If the school schedule does not align with the ‘Even/Odd’ days of our vehicle, students have to stay home and miss school. They can’t attend vocational trainings daily, making the learning process ineffective.”— A parent (Mawlamyine Township), Survey Response.
The “Even/Odd” system acts as a direct barrier to Educational Continuity, which is essential for students. When vehicle license plate numbers do not match school days, students face frequent absences and are unable to attend extracurricular trainings. In the long run, this situation risks declining educational quality and increasing the student drop-out rate.
- Financial Burden on Families and Transportation Challenges
“Since we only have a motorcycle with an ‘Even’ number, we have to hire outside transportation to send our children to school on ‘Odd’ days. This not only causes delays for the students but also increases the financial burden on the parents.”— A respondent (Mudon Township), Survey Response.
On days when personal vehicles cannot be used, families must rely on private transport services, leading to a rise in additional socio-economic costs. With taxi and transportation fares surging to between 4,000 and 7,000 MMK, parents are facing severe physical and mental exhaustion as they juggle work, school commutes, and long hours queuing for fuel.
- Transportation System Disruptions and Obstacles to Education
“Now, with the even-odd system, how can the cars run every day? Today we line up, and only the next day can the cars run. … After the university entrance exam, they will come and check whether the even-odd system is being followed, even up to the shops.” — A Mudon-Yangon driver, March 20, 2026 (Thanlwin Times)
Due to the even/odd system and the difficulty in purchasing fuel, most bus lines are no longer able to operate normally, resulting in a disruption of regular mobility, which is crucial for students. According to drivers’ concerns, stricter inspections after the examination period are likely to make it even more difficult for students from remote areas to attend school.
The Fuel Crisis and Its Health Impacts
In Mon State, the fuel crisis has led to severe consequences, including loss of life and the deterioration of health security. Specifically, queuing for hours under intense heat and the limitations on fuel availability are fundamentally undermining the public’s right to life and well-being.
- Fatalities Due to Heatstroke While Queuing for Fuel
“He woke up at 2:30 or 3:00 in the morning to go queue for fuel until the afternoon. After being out in the heat for so long, he suffered from a headache and low blood pressure by evening. We rushed him to the hospital, but because of his underlying health conditions, they couldn’t save him in time.”— A resident of Mudoon Village (Chaungzon Township), March 23, 2026 (Independent Mon News Agency)
This incident in Chaungzon Township is a direct consequence of having to wake up extremely early and wait for many hours under the sun until the afternoon to obtain fuel. With average temperatures hovering around 40°C, such exposure has led to heatstroke and fatal outcomes.
- Rising Health Complications and Hospitalizations Due to Heat Exposure
“Hospitals and clinics are seeing a high number of patients seeking treatment for heatstroke-related symptoms, such as fainting, excessive sweating, nausea, and exhaustion. People should not be queuing for fuel in this heat; it is a major hazard to their health.”— A health worker from Mudon Township, March 23, 2026 (Independent Mon News Agency)
The restricted sales systems implemented by fuel stations force residents to queue for extended periods, leaving them vulnerable to intense heat without adequate protection. This situation not only degrades basic public health but also places an additional burden on local healthcare facilities and personnel.
- Impact on Nutrition and Food Safety
“Even raw materials don’t arrive on time. When supplies for cooking oil don’t arrive, [the produce]is wilted and rotten, so we have to buy the remaining good items at high prices.” — A housewife (Mawlamyine Township), March 13, 2026 (Thanlwin Times)
Transportation delays cause fresh food to spoil and rot en route, which affects the public’s “food safety.” The grassroots are forced to buy non-fresh or wilted food at high prices, and in the long run, they are actually facing malnutrition and subsequent health problems on the ground.
Recommendations for Representatives of the Mon State Parliament
The following requests are made directly, based on the voice of the people, to the newly elected representatives of the Mon State Parliament, urging them to take immediate action regarding the life-threatening dangers and socio-economic devastation faced by the people due to the government’s mismanagement.
- Rectifying Misguided Administrative Policies
The current “Sone/Ma” (referral/non-referral) system implemented by the government not only restricts the people’s employment and freedom of movement but can also lead to families running out of food. Therefore, urge the government through the parliament to immediately revoke this system. • The restriction on the operating hours of petrol stations causes people to queue for hours in the sun, leading to fatalities. Mon State Hluttaw representatives should conduct field inspections and put pressure on the government to implement measures for convenient and accessible fuel distribution.
- Monitoring Equitable Distribution and Transparency
Parliament’s oversight committees should strictly address the issue of petrol stations dispensing less fuel than paid for and the leakage of fuel into the black market. • Reform the government’s policy to prioritize motorcycles used by taxi drivers, staff, and workers struggling for their daily livelihood, allowing them to purchase more fuel (up to 15,000 Kyats instead of 5,000 Kyats) compared to large private cars.
- Bringing the People’s Voice to Parliament
- To seriously present and discuss the “agonizing cries” of the grassroots in the Parliament, and to consistently monitor and examine whether the government’s actions truly benefit the people.
- To propose and submit alternative energy policies such as Solar Energy in the Parliament in order to reduce the constant dependence on fuel.
Conclusion
The fuel crisis in Mon State originates from political tensions in the Middle East, but the consequences in the region are exacerbated by administrative policy errors and weak management. According to the findings of this survey, the fuel shortage extends beyond a mere commodity shortage and clearly constitutes a socio-economic crisis that directly threatens the people’s survival, health security, and future education.
Incidents of people losing their lives while queuing for hours in the heat, delays in learning opportunities for students, and the livelihood hardships of the lower classes are real suffering occurring on the ground. The government’s “Sone/Ma system” (mixed/not mixed system – likely referring to a specific distribution method) and sales time restrictions have not solved the problem, but have only exacerbated the suffering of the people.
Therefore, the newly emerged Mon State parliament representatives have a responsibility to bring the grievances of the public to the parliament as soon as possible. This crisis can only be cured by effectively checking and balancing the administration’s misguided policies, promoting a transparent distribution system, and implementing priority systems that put the basic classes first.
In conclusion, addressing the fuel crisis is an urgent first step towards the socio-economic stability of Mon State and the people’s ability to live with dignity.
