The prices of imported Thai goods in Yangon have gone up due to landslides blocking the road from Myawaddy on the Thai border, to Kawkareik in Karen State, and the rest of Myanmar.

Following heavy rain, landslides blocked the section of the Asia Highway between Myawaddy and Kawkareik on 7 August. The route is still not passable for trucks carrying Thai goods from the border.

The landslides also destroyed a bridge which is currently being replaced with a prefabricated Bailey Bridge.

According to the Myanmar Highway Freight Transportation Service Association (MHFTSA) hundreds of trucks are stuck waiting at both ends of the blocked road and some are even stuck on the road.

Shop owners in Yangon say that the prices of general merchandise, foodstuffs and electrical appliances being imported from Thailand have risen by nearly 20 per cent since the road from Myawaddy was blocked. The Myanmar kyat's depreciation and wildly fluctuating exchange rate have also caused the prices of Thai imports to rise.

This has led to a shortage of Thai goods in Yangon and caused the price of Thai goods to rise every day where they are available. The prices of basic Thai commodities have risen by 5,000 to 10,000 kyats in Yangon.

Drivers of Myawaddy to Yangon buses also said that they are having to charge passengers at least 60,000 kyats because they have to pay extra taxes along the alternative old highway, from Kawkareik to Myawaddy, which they are having to use whilst the Asia Highway is blocked.

It is not yet known when the Myawaddy to Kawkareik section of the Asia Highway will be cleared and passable to all vehicles.