- The instability of commodity prices is harming livelihoods
In townships controlled by the military junta in Mon State, the public does not experience a peaceful and stable social life. Additionally, due to sudden strict inspections in trade, goods are not available in desired quantities.
Table (1) Main Reasons for the Rise in Thai Commodity Prices During September
In particular, on September 5, 2026, in areas bordering Mon State, Thai import trucks were blocked and intercepted; 65 trucks were seized, Thai goods were confiscated, and drivers were detained.[1] News of this crackdown and inspection caused prices of Thai goods to surge nationwide. Although over 60 cargo trucks were seized on the ground, the report submitted to the military junta stated that only 40 trucks were seized. Looking at this incident, inspecting Thai imports is not for the benefit of the public, but merely a scheme for officials to share profits among themselves.[2] During checkpoint inspections and searches, no one was spared, including private cars, visitors, and small-scale traders. The seized goods were not properly managed or recorded with statistics, but were sold off or went missing,[3] while traders suffered immense financial and business losses as they tried to resolve the issue, severely impacting the public economy.
- Impact on the Health Sector
Due to long waiting times at inspection checkpoints, passengers not only lose time, but those in poor health and individuals traveling to seek medical treatment also face extreme hardship as they are unable to reach clinics in time.[4]
[1] Thanlwin Times, September 17, 2026, 25 Thai cargo trucks seized in Kyaikmaraw disappear from records, Link
[2] Thanlwin Times, September 10, 2026, Thai goods prices surge due to Mon military government arrests and seizures, Link
[3] Thanlwin Times, September 17, 2026, Large quantities of goods missing, Link
[4] IMNA, September 19, 2026, Detaining and inspecting passengers and traders on the Mawlamyine-Yangon road under the pretext of Thai goods inspection, Link
- Price Increases
As a result of extortion, arrests at ground-level inspection checkpoints, and tightened import licenses, the price of Thai imports in Ye Township—such as Two Prawns brand cooking oil—suddenly jumped to 8,500 Kyat per bag, and Pea brand cooking oil to 10,500 Kyat per bottle, RICE stated. Although traders attempt to import Thai goods legally, strict import licensing restrictions have turned the current situation into a contraband market. Consequently, this causes shortages of foodstuffs, medicines, and cosmetics in the market[1] or excessive price hikes, making the socio-economic lives of the public even more difficult. However, at the Naypyidaw meeting on September 23, coup leader Min Aung Hlaing himself instructed that the abuse of authority at road checkpoints be taken action against,[2] highlighting the failure to control corruption among lower-level subordinates.
- Fuel Reduction Policy[3]and the Socio-Economic Decline of Mon State
Due to the aftermath and lingering effects of the conflict between Iran and the United States, Mon State has experienced fuel shortages for the 4th time. Currently, Mon State previously received 40,000 metric tons of fuel monthly, but starting from August, it received only 25,000 metric tons, resulting in a reduction of 15,000 metric tons (over 20 million liters) in quota. Over 160 fuel stations in the state are no longer able to sell fully to buyers and are forced to sell only with restrictions. Furthermore, the military junta’s QR Code system and even-odd license plate system have also restricted and constrained fuel sales. As a result, fuel stations frequently run out of fuel, citizens have to queue for many hours, and small-scale business owners and agricultural workers face restrictions such as recommendation letters or Form (7) when purchasing fuel, which has only caused the black market to grow even larger.
[1] Thanlwin Times, September 10, 2026, Most Thai goods run out in Mon State, Link
[2] Thanlwin Times, September 24, 2026, Min Aung Hlaing instructs effective action against inspection checkpoints, Link
[3] Thanlwin Times, September 24, 2026, Mon State fuel quota cut by nearly half, Link
Currently in Ye Township, people have to queue up to fill up their motorcycles; whereas previously purchasing 15,000 Kyats worth would give them a full tank, in the current situation fuel stations only fill around 10,000 Kyats worth, so they do not receive enough fuel for daily commuting.[1]
The main problem is that fuel importers in Mon State do not receive US dollars at the Central Bank’s official rate like importers at Yangon’s Thilawa Port do, but instead have to buy their own dollars at the external market rate (Black Market Rate) to import. Consequently, according to the new reference prices on September 25, prices in Mon State surged up to 4,705 Kyats per liter for Octane 92, 4,860 Kyats per liter for Octane 95, and 6,020 Kyats per liter for Premium Diesel, which is found to be excessively higher than in other regions and states.[2]
(2.1) Impact on Agriculture and Agricultural Production
Although the military government claims to have arranged 1.8 million gallons (at a rate of 3 gallons per acre) for over 600,000 acres of monsoon paddy, farmers have to obtain recommendation letters through multiple administrative levels and cannot purchase as much as they need. Furthermore, since fuel is only sold to farmland that has been issued Form (7), farmers growing fresh produce have to purchase from the black market at exorbitant prices.[3]
[1] RICE, Sep 30, 2026, Mon State experiences fuel shortage for the 4th time
[2] IMNA, September 25, 2026, Mon State fuel price increases further by 650 to 750 kyats per liter, Link
[3] Thanlwin Times, Sep 30, 2026, Military government says it will sell fuel to farmers in Mon through a quota-registry system, Link
reaching nearly 40,000 Kyats per viss, hilsa exceeding 50,000 Kyats per viss, and mrigal carp reaching up to 35,000 Kyats.[1]
These findings clearly highlight that although the military junta leader verbally pushes for price reduction and increased production at the policy level, in practice on the ground, significant cuts in fuel quotas, strict import licensing, and corruption at checkpoints have restricted production and the entire flow of goods across the state. Due to such systematic mismanagement and ground-level crises, shortages of basic foodstuffs, medicines, and fuel have caused prices to skyrocket excessively, worsening the socio-economic lives of the general public as well as agricultural and fishery business owners.
- Lack of Security for Life, Homes, and Property in Non-Conflict Areas
(3.1) Armed Robbery and Mugging Incidents
On September 11, at around 1:00 PM, on the Mawlamyine–Mudon highway near Ta Pa Thwon Village in Mudon Township—an area fully controlled by the military junta with no less than three battalions stationed—six armed individuals staged a fake checkpoint and robbed 1 passenger vehicle and 2 private cars at gunpoint.[2] As a result of this incident, traveling citizens were robbed of property valued at hundreds of lakhs of Kyats, including phones, gold, and cash. On the very same day at around 3:00 PM, a similar incident occurred in Pa Nga Village, Thanbyuzayat Township. While three youths who went swimming were riding along a forest path near Wae Thwon Chaung Village, two men brandished long swords, forced them to stop, and mugged them of a motorcycle worth approximately 60 lakhs Kyats and their phones.[3] Regarding the above situations, the military, acting as the local authority, made no effort to pursue or arrest the perpetrators and simply ignored the incidents.
(3.2) Forced Portering and Extortion Under the Pretext of the Conscription Law
Starting from early September, joint forces of the military, police, and militia have been continuously conducting forced portering and arrests for military service in Mudon town and on roads leading to villages. Every day, no fewer than 10 people are forcibly taken as porters, leaving family members unable to inquire about their whereabouts.[4] As a result, Mudon town, where people previously moved around until midnight, now sees streets cleared and silent as soon as 7:00 PM passes. In Paung, even before the set curfew time, around 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, about 5 police cars patrol and arrest pedestrians, forcing even tea shops to close early, causing damage to local businesses. In Thanbyuzayat, nighttime pedestrians have dwindled to almost none, while in Kamarwet town, even during the daytime, plantation workers no longer dare to travel along isolated road stretches.[5] Furthermore, militias arrest people and release them upon monetary negotiation or resell those who fail to pay military service fees back to administrators.
In Thaton town, the Pyu Saw Htee leader Phoe Htoo’s group—enjoying the protection of Mon State’s Minister for Security and Border Affairs, Colonel Kyaw Soe Myint—carried guns into liquor stores, beer stations, and alleyways, arresting no fewer than 50 local residents. Those detained were placed in stocks and held at the former Meteorology Office near the Development Affairs (YCDC) office, where they were inhumanely beaten and extorted at rates of 6.5 million Kyat (65 lakhs) for underage individuals, 15 million Kyat (150 lakhs) for those eligible for conscription, and 3 million Kyat (30 lakhs) for over-aged individuals.[6] Currently in Mon State, extortion demands are taking place in Kyaikto, Bilin, Thaton, Kyaikmaraw, and Ye townships; in these townships, after the military forcibly abducts young people as porters for military service, they demand ransom from families ranging from 10 million to 20 million Kyat (100 to 200 lakhs) per person.[7] Youth eligible for military service whose families cannot pay are sent directly to military training schools. From Batch 1 to Batch 28 of the People’s Military Service training courses opened monthly by the military in Mon State, no fewer than 5,800 local youths have already been recruited as soldiers.
(3.3) Technological Threat Incidents
Taking advantage of job scarcity, online scam operations (in Burmese call: “Kya-Phant” networks) are using AI and IT technologies to steal citizens’ identity cards, phone numbers, fingerprints, voice, and eye (biometric) data through message links. Data theft via Viber, Telegram, and banking apps has risen, and frauds are also occurring through the public posting of KPay transfer receipts on social media,[8] leading tech experts to advise users to set their personal profiles to “Only Me” and enable 2-Step Verification. Currently in Mon State, in addition to suffering digital insecurity from these scams, restrictions on news media by the military junta keep citizens trapped in a cycle of lagging behind other countries in digital business operations. Furthermore, RICE has observed that in areas of Mon State currently controlled by the military junta, subordinates of the junta are taking photos off social media to blackmail and extort money from the public.
(3.4) Involvement of Departmental Staff in Crime and Extortion
On September 8, an incident occurred where a staff member from the Mon State High Court was forcibly taken by two police officers stationed at Thanlwin Bridge and resold for 500,000 Kyats in Mudon Township,[9] demonstrating that staff under the military government are themselves directly committing crimes. At intersections, traffic lights, and entry/exit points in Mawlamyine, traffic police
[1] Thanlwin Times, Sep 16, 2026, Fish prices surge in Mon as military government fails to sell fuel, Link
[2] Thanlwin Times, Sep 12, 2026, Three passenger vehicles robbed on Mawlamyine–Mudon highway, Link
[3] IMNA, Sep 15, 2026, Three youths going for a swim robbed of motorcycle and phones near Wae Thuon Chaung village, Link
[4] Thanlwin Times, Sep 13, 2026, Nighttime porter conscription increases in Mudon, Link
[5] IMNA, Sep 15, 2026, Nighttime foot traffic decreases in Mon State due to fears of forced porter conscription, Link
[6] Thanlwin Times, Sep 11, 2026, Kidnapping and extortion by Pyu Saw Htee leader Phoe Htoo’s group worsens in downtown Thaton, Link
[7] Thanlwin Times, Sep 13, 2026, Families demanded to pay 10 to 20 million kyats ransom per person after individuals are abducted for military service, Link
[8] IMNA, Sep 17, 2026, Tech experts warn public to be cautious of data theft via various forms, Link
[9] Thanlwin Times, Sep 13, 2026, Lack of security worsens in Mon State under military government rule, Link
are demanding exorbitant amounts of money from auto-rickshaws (Oh-Wai) and motorcycles under the pretext of traffic regulations. Auto-rickshaws are charged 30,000 to 35,000 Kyats per alleged offense claiming excess passengers or overload, while motorcycle riders are immediately extorted for 35,000 to 50,000 Kyats under the claim of lacking helmets, mirrors, or license plates.[1] Furthermore, on September 23, joint forces of the military, police, general administration, and militia under the military government not only seized unlicensed motor vehicles and motorcycles on the streets, but also collaborated with ward administrators and hundred-household heads to raid homes based on tip-offs and seize them.[2] If money is not paid, they threaten to arrest and imprison individuals under the Export and Import Law, confiscating both property and people; however, their own staff openly ride unlicensed vehicles themselves.
- Actions of the Military Junta Disregarding Public Safety
(4.1) Military Impacts and Casualties/Destruction
During September, Division-44, Light Infantry Battalion (LIB)-207, Artillery Battalion (AB)-310, and the Ka Taing Di base systematically launched attacks using airstrikes, drones, and 120mm heavy artillery targeting KNU Brigade (1) territory located at the border between Mon State (Kyaikto, Bilin) and Bago Region.
Table (2) Regions Facing Risks from Drones, Airstrikes, and Heavy Artillery Attacks
| Date | Township | Case Details |
| September 6 | Bilin | Two heavy artillery shells fell on Nyaung Htauk Village, killing a 10-year-old child and injuring the mother.[1] |
| September 19 | Bilin | Yyo Ka La (Kya Thaung Seik) Village was attacked with four 500-lb bombs and four heavy artillery shells, damaging 5 school buildings, 1 staff quarters, and 36 residential homes.[2] |
[1] IMNA, Sep 6, 2026, Child killed, woman injured in heavy artillery shelling by military in Bilin Township, Link
[2] IMNA, Sep 19, 2026, Military launches airstrike on school in Kya Thaung village, Bilin, Link
[1] Thanlwin Times, Sep 22, 2026, Traffic police aggressively extorting money in Mawlamyine, Link
[2] Thanlwin Times, Sep 22, 2026, Unlicensed vehicles targeted and seized right at homes in Mon, link
| September 22 | Kyaikto | Twelve heavy artillery shells fell on Zee Pyaung, Ka Nyin Aing, and Wet Won Taung reserve forest area, killing rubber plantation worker U Than Soe (35 years old) and injuring Karen Gyi (52 years old).[1] |
| September 24 | Kyaikto | A heavy artillery shell fell on Shan Su Village, injuring Maung Ka Lar (9 years old) and damaging 1 residential home.[2] |
| September 25 | Kyaikto | Kaw Kap Village was targeted by an airstrike, injuring 2 men and damaging a home and 1 motor vehicle. |
| September 26 | Border of Mon State and Bago Region | Six aircraft dropped at least 50 bombs near Nat Sin, Kyauk Phya, Kha Mauk Khwe, Nghet Pyaw Taw, and the NUG Special Region Military Headquarters, killing Daw Pae Thi Khaing (58 years old) from Nghet Pyaw Taw Village and injuring 4 civilians.[3] |
| September Total | Kyaikto, Bilin (Border of Bago Region) | Total damage/casualty summary: At least 50 residential homes, 5 school buildings, 1 staff quarters, and 1 motor vehicle were damaged; 3 civilians were killed and no fewer than 15 were injured. |
(4.2) Impact on Socio-Economic Lives
Even without ongoing ground battles, nighttime aerial bombings and indiscriminate heavy artillery shelling targeting villages such as Zee Pyaung, Ka Nyin Aing, Nghet Pyaw Taw, Shan Su, Kaw Kap, Nyaung Htauk, and Yyo Ka La have forced thousands of residents from no fewer than 10 villages to flee to safer areas as displaced persons. Because heavy artillery shells fell and exploded inside rubber plantations and agricultural workplaces where both local residents and migrant workers from the Ayeyarwady Region work, operations have come to a complete standstill, causing the socio-economic livelihood of the entire area to suffer a major collapse.
(4.3) Impact on Education and Healthcare
Due to the direct destruction of 5 school buildings and 1 staff quarters in Yyo Ka La Village by aerial bombardment, as well as children being killed and injured at the Zee Pyaung Village soccer field and Shan Su in A Loo Village, safety for children at school and within village environments has completely collapsed, bringing education to a halt. Furthermore, constant fear of airstrikes and heavy artillery shelling has escalated psychological trauma, while displaced persons who sustained injuries face severe difficulties in accessing medicine and healthcare services, leading to a drastic deterioration in the physical and mental health of the civilian population. The military junta is deliberately targeting civilian villages, schools, and agricultural workplaces where no active fighting is taking place, in complete disregard of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. It is clearly evident that the military shows no empathy for the lives, homes, property, and security of the public, committing war crimes and crimes against humanity on a daily basis in a clear attempt to rule over the population through fear.
- Conclusion
Based on the above findings and data, it is clearly evident that in September 2026, the military junta’s systematic mismanagement, poor policies, and oppressive controls caused the total collapse of the public’s life, homes, property, and socio-economic security across all aspects in Mon State. Due to corruption at checkpoints, tight import licensing restrictions, and reduced fuel quotas, prices for basic food items, medicine, and fuel skyrocketed excessively, severely impacting and bringing local agriculture, fishery, and commercial trade operations to a standstill.
Furthermore, incidents of armed robbery, gang muggings, arbitrary forced portering, extortion, and tech-based threats occurred with increasing frequency in both urban and rural areas. At the same time, the junta’s unrestricted attacks using heavy artillery, drones, and airstrikes resulted in civilian casualties as well as the destruction of homes, school buildings, and agricultural workplaces.
In summary, for their own retention of power and self-interest, the military junta ignores public safety and humanitarian standards, committing daily war crimes. Consequently, Mon State—once peaceful and tranquil—is now trapped amidst severe socio-economic hardship and multifaceted crises.
[1] Thanlwin Times, Sep 22, 2026, Military continuously conducting heavy artillery and airstrikes in Kyaikto, Link
[2] IMNA, Sep 30, 2026, Military repeatedly carrying out attacks in Kyaikto, causing civilian casualties, Link
[3] Thanlwin Times, Sep 22, 2026, Military intensely bombing again from the air at the Mon–Bago border, Link
