Attractions In Chiang Rai


Mae Sai Border

Just an hour and a half drive from Chiang Rai, Mae Sai is a small town that shares a border with Myanmar. Mae Sai itself isn’t anything spectacular, but it’s fascinating to visit as you get to see a chunk of what it’s like living in a border town.

Standing on the border of Thailand and Myanmar, you’ll see streams of people constantly traveling backwards and forwards between the two countries – most of them poor and most of them pulling carts piled with goods to sell or trade. Snotty nosed little kids will appear in huge packs begging for money and, once you cross over into Myanmar and see the small town on that side of the border, you’ll see how poor Myanmar really is.

At Mai Sai, there in really nothing much to see in Thai border. It is strongly recommend to cross the bridge into Tachileik, Myanmar. There are plenty of small shops lining both sides of the street leading to the border crossing that sell cheap jewels (rubies, emerald and jade) imported from Myanmar, cheap curio items (many of which are imported from China), cloths, fresh fruit.

Opening Hours: 08:30 – 17:30 (Custom control)
Location: 70km north of Chiang Rai City, on PhahonYothin Rd/Route 1/AH2.
How to get there: Get the public buses or vans at Chiangrai Old Bus Staion to Mae Sai.

credit image: www.chiangraifocus.com