Gas used in homes shortages in Yangon market

The Yangon market is facing a gas shortage and the remaining gas cylinder transaction is made at K7,800, according to restaurant owners and housewives.
“The small gas bottle is priced at K1,200 which was about K600 before. The price rose and we cannot buy easily. The shop where I always make orders shut down their shop and powered off their phones now,” said Daw Wah Wah Oo from South Okkalapa.
The country faces a gas shortage this week and the housewives and restaurant owners face a shortage.
“There is a gas shortage even in the market. All the shops told us they don’t have products. Some shops sell at high prices. We faced an oxygen shortage last year and now we face the gas shortage and have to buy at the highest prices this year,” said Ko Aung Thu Myint, a restaurant owner in Mingala Taung Nyunt.
The gas price was about K1,800 per viss in the market and it became over K3,000 per viss starting last year and K4,600 per viss until end-June this year. The price was between K5,600-8,000 in early July.
“We cannot use the locally produced gas for many hours. The gas we use now is imported from Thailand and the UAE. The current problem seems to link with the foreign currency. If the fuel prices are high continuously and also the gas, it will affect the people. The officials should manage that situation,” U Lu Tun, a retired employee told the GNLM.
The housewives have been using gas for nearly 20 years as the electricity bill is high. In the past, people bought gas with a licence book at the government’s shop. The use of gas became widespread later.
“We don’t have exact shops to buy the gas. We bought at K5,600 per viss yesterday. Today, the shop said the price is nearly K8,000 per viss. We use gas to fry. We face difficulties as we can’t buy gas and can’t use firewood and charcoal. The shop where we always buy gas does not answer our phone calls and it shuts down. We think turning to use charcoal during these days,” said Ko Win Thein, restaurant owner. — TWA/GNLM