Green forest fire notification in Laos, Thailand

Supply-chain Risk Briefing

1) Summary A medium-scale wildfire occurred in the Laos-Thailand border region from April 1-15, lasting approximately two weeks. Given the characteristics of the dry season, there is a high risk of spread, potentially threatening major agricultural and logistics corridors in Southeast Asia.

2) Supply-chain impact

• Agricultural production disruption: Damage to major crop cultivation areas including rice, corn, and cassava in the Laos-Thailand border region raises concerns about regional food supply chain instability
• Overland logistics disruption: Potential delays in China-Southeast Asia overland trade routes if major road networks and border crossing points in the Mekong River basin are blocked
• Rubber and timber industries: Risk of global raw material supply tightening due to operational shutdowns at natural rubber plantations and timber processing facilities
• Power supply: Potential disruption to Laos' electricity exports (mainly to Thailand and Vietnam) if hydroelectric plants and transmission networks are affected

3) Watch points

• Need to track traffic conditions on major roads around the Mekong River (AH3, National Highway 13) and border checkpoints (Nong Khai-That Luang, etc.)
• Monitoring required for the onset of rainy season after mid-April and effectiveness of preventing further fire spread