According to an October 19 report, the Tak Provincial Land Transport Office, alongside Thai immigration and customs officials, met with Myawaddy counterparts at the Mae Sot No. 1 Friendship Bridge checkpoint to roll out a joint enforcement operation. The campaign specifically targets Myanmar-registered private vehicles operating as illegal passenger taxis. Many local Thai drivers had complained that Myanmar private cars were entering Thai town areas to solicit passengers, hurting local drivers' livelihoods.
Under Thai transport regulations, commercial passenger transport without a proper commercial passenger license is strictly illegal. Once a violation is confirmed, the vehicle will be seized, individuals will face fines, and foreign nationals may be subject to deportation. Border officials have also advised cross-border travelers that those driving private vehicles should carry supporting documents—such as proof of family relations, hospital appointment sheets, and valid border passes—to make inspections easier.
While the crackdown is primarily aimed at regulating border transport order and protecting local drivers, it effectively tightens transit scrutiny across the bridge. For Chinese travelers and expatriates commuting between Mae Sot and the Myawaddy area, taking unlicensed private rides across the border may now carry a higher risk of being stopped or delayed. Opting for licensed, legitimate transport and keeping all documentation in order remains the safest route.
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