"Mae Sai, Thailand-Burma border"
Mae Sai is 18 miles north of Chiang Rai and a busy little town on the Sai River which holds the honor of being the most northern most point in Thailand. There is a picturesque archway proclaiming this fact frequented by young girls dressed in hill tribe costumes offering to pose for photographs for a hefty fee. The town sits on the Thai-Burmese border and is a major border crossing point between the two countries.
Across a small bridge is the Burmese town of Thakhilek and there is plenty of trade between the two towns. More illicit trading takes place in the region - teak and narcotics are the main products imported into Thailand. In recent times the Burmese border has been open to all nationalities, although non Thai's require a valid passport. At other times access is allowed only to Thai people or is closed completely. Much depends on the relations between the two counties which can flare up when Burmese military operations against local minorities spills over the Thai border.
Thakhilek in Burma is relatively safe when the border is open although on occasion there is fighting in the town attributed to "drug smugglers" by the Burmese authorities. Prices for embroideries and other goods are extremely cheap on the Burmese side of the border so take the trip if the border is open when you visit! In peaceful times most visitors take a walk across the bridge anyway, to take a peek at the dour looking Burmese forces at the border post and pose for pictures. Prepare to be swamped by crowds of beggars and shifty gentlemen selling cartons of American cigarettes and Burmese bank note.
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