26 May 2026 By Poe Sangle / MPA
Traffic police in Lashio, the capital of northern Shan State, have launched a strict crackdown on traffic violators. However, local residents report that the enforcement has devolved into a massive extortion racket, with authorities demanding up to 500,000 Myanmar Kyat (MMK) under the guise of official fines to release seized vehicles.
Traffic police have been heavily patrolling major thoroughfares and designated one-way zones near the Myo Ma Central Market. Vehicles found violating local traffic regulations are being immobilized on the spot using wheel locks, and drivers are being ordered to report to the traffic police headquarters to retrieve them.
“The sweep began on May 23. The traffic police have been wheel-locking and pinning notice slips onto motorcycles and cars parked haphazardly or driving against traffic on one-way streets. Drivers are told they must come to the traffic office to settle the matter,” a local male resident told MPA.
He noted that since the military commission’s coup, traffic chaos in Lashio had escalated significantly. While the sudden resumption of law enforcement has noticeably reduced traffic congestion across the city, the hidden financial motives behind the operations have left residents deeply frustrated.
“They are clamping vehicles all over Lashio these past few days. An acquaintance of mine was pulled over in front of the golf course and reportedly had to pay 500,000 Kyat to get his vehicle back. It is not even about targeting unlicensed vehicles; they seem to be disproportionately pulling over commercial transit vans and passenger lines,” another young local resident stated.
In addition to fining traffic violators, authorities are reportedly instructing motorists operating without valid driving licenses or holding expired documentation to report to relevant offices to renew their papers.
“Enforcing the law is fine, and honestly, a crackdown like this was long overdue. But demanding such exorbitant fees is completely unreasonable. They are charging people based on the type of vehicle they drive. I heard some car owners had to fork out between 700,000 and 800,000 Kyat. This is creating severe livelihood difficulties for ordinary people,” a third resident told MPA.
Immobilized cars and motorcycles across the city can be seen with notice slips attached to them, which read: “Your vehicle has been inspected and found to be in violation of traffic rules and regulations. The traffic police force has applied a wheel lock. Please report to the traffic office,” followed by an official contact phone number.
The sudden shift in administrative control and tightening of municipal regulations comes after significant territorial changes in northern Shan State. Lashio was handed back to the military commission by the Kokang resistance group, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), on 22 April 2024, following intense diplomatic pressure from the Chinese government.
Editor: Ko San
