Apr 3, 2008 (DVB), The price of diesel has gone up by about 1000 kyat per gallon, causing a rise in the cost of transportation and basic commodities, according to a Rangoon resident.
Diesel previously cost less than 5000 kyat per gallon, but has increased to 6000 kyat and may be higher elsewhere, the resident said.
"It seems like it's going to keep going up to more than 6000 kyat," he said.
"I think it will be more expensive in Moulmein, because the fuel price there is already about 500 kyat more than in Rangoon, so it would be about 6500 kyat there now."
The knock-on effect of the price increase has been a rise in the cost of transport and basic commodities.
"It costs around 3000 or 4000 kyat to travel from South Okkalapa township to downtown," the Rangoon resident said.
"People can't even afford to pay for bus fares at this rate, let alone taxis."
The cost of rice has also risen as a result of the diesel price hike.
Reporting by Maung Too