Sign in with Facebook116 Moo 1, Viangpangkham, Chiang Rai, Mae Sai, Thailand
Border crossing into Myanmar
Golden triangle
Border crossing into Myanmar
Northernmost town monument
Any recommendations on where to find some good "treasures" in Mae Sai or in Burma?
what sorts of "treasures" are you talking about?
You will get all sorts of souvenirs from laquerware to woodcarvings at the border, and mobile phones and electronic devices that are mainly smuggled from China via Burma. If you want to cross the border for a day visit to Burma, make sure beforehand that it is open. They close it occasionally when there are tensions between the 2 countries.
Thanks for the information. I am looking primarily for antiques, puppets, handicrafts.. things you would probably never find anywhere else.
...and the statue that the Thai Governemt chose to adore the hill top facing Takchilek, Burma from Mae Sai ???
A huge scorpion.... Not exactly a symbol of brotherhood and peace. Or course the Thai's and Burmese kinda have that life long rival thing going on between them... (not unlike Japan-Korea, Greece-Turkey, or India-Pakistan.....)
You are not likely to see one of these across the border in Takchilek, or elsewhere in Burma: an internet cafe sign....
Its funny walking across the bridge back into Thailand after spending a week on the other side, suddently the toilets flush, the electricity comes on when you throw the switch and there are internet signs all about.... Kinda like jumping back to the future from 50 years in the past...
I'm not sure if this hill top monument at one of the Buddhist temples in Mae Sai is in honor of the Hollywood film "Scorpion King" or if its been erected for another, more noble reason. I wasn't able to learn the history of this monument but from what I saw it may have something to do with the Thailand-Myanmar border. The Scorpion faces north into Myanmar so could it be their first line of symbolic defense? This hill top monument is also a wonderful place to come for a beautiful vista of north east Mae Sai and Tachilek, Myanmar. It's a great place for photographing the landscape.
A light backpack that can double as a day pack. Leave your heavier stuff in the hotel when you are out on day hikes. Its a little cooler in Mae Sai during the winter months...but its actually refreshing! If you are used to the heat and humidity of Bangkok then it may be wise to bring a light jacket or a long sleeved shirt for warmth at night. You can buy it all there in Mae Sai Bring your 35 mm, special film if need be, digital camera, etc. The potential for alot of trekking exists so bring what you would normally bring when you go trekking.
Some people consider fishing a sporting activity so I'll mention my experiences with fishing in Mae Sai here. There are several fishing holes, ponds, and rivers that you can fish in. I tried fishing in the Sai river, and though it was relaxing I wasn't able to catch anything other than river debris. I also found a pond located a bit outside of the city near the caves I wrote about in another tip. I was able to catch a few small fish that I threw back. There are other family owned ponds all around Mae Sai that charge a small fee for you to use their shaded platforms over the pond for fishing. Most of these places also offer a menu. It's kind of cool to kick back in the shade, munching on Thai snacks, and drinking a luke warm beer in the afternoon. If you don't bring your own rod they will give you a bamboo stick with a line & hook tied to it. Think Tom Sawyer & Huck Fin!
Your best bet for finding a place like this is to explore the side roads along the Sai River on your rented motorbike. We came across several ponds this way. I bought a cheap real and rod & other equipmnt at one of several fishing and tackle stores that are in the outdoor Mae Sai market located near the river & border crossing.
Q: Traveling to Mae Sai - what currency? "I will be traveling to Mae Sai this month end. Please suggest me the currency I can use here. Should I use Thai Bahts or... U$..."
A: "US$ is not used in Thailand. Very few places will accept it, and those that do charge a big exchange rate. Always use Thai baht."
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