Mae Sai
Travel Guide
One of the few well known border towns between Thailand and Burma, Mae Sai is a bustling town which has profited on legal and illegal trade.
Your first impression would be of the incredibly wide main street that runs essentially north-south through the town finishing at the bridge that spans the river and gives access to Burma.
The border end of this street is lined by an enormous market. The wares available are many and varied with a very heavy Burmese influence - clothes, gems, you name it they have got it.
One of the more interesting pursuits in town for travellers is to watch the action up river from the bridge that spans the Sai River. Throughout the day, boats ferry people and goods back and forth between Burma and Thailand.
Goods including alcohol and cigarettes pass under the dull gaze of the border guards and can be had for rock bottom prices.
If you're planning on crossing over to the Burmese town of Thachileik for a bit of a poke around, all you'll find is a Burmese version of Mae Sai -- a town dominated by trade. There's lots of shopping in smuggled wares and cheap Burmese goods, but if you're expecting some classy Burmese handicrafts, you'll be disappointed.
Apart from Mae Sai's close proximity to Burma and the Golden Triangle there is really nothing appealing about the town. The one saving grace is the large and diverse market mentioned above.
There are some well placed guesthouses overlooking Burma in which you could concentrate on doing little for a few days and from which you could explore some of the surrounds.
Text and/or map last updated on 11th August, 2009.
Jump to a different destination in Thailand
Get orientated with a map of Mae Sai, Thailand
Have your say
Photo gallery
Add your photos to this via Flickr More info
Jump to a destination
- Hot spots
- Bangkok & surrounds
- Central Thailand
- Northern Thailand
- About this region
- Ban Huay Kon
- Ban Toei
- Chiang Dao
- Chiang Kham
- Chiang Khong
- Chiang Mai
- Chiang Rai
- Chiang Saen
- Chom Thong
- Doi Inthanon
- Doi Khun Tan N.P.
- Doi Phukha N.P.
- Hang Dong
- Hot
- Kamphaeng Phet
- Khun Yuam
- Lampang
- Lamphun
- Mae Chaem
- Mae Na Chon
- Mae Hong Son
- Mae Salong
- Mae Sariang
- Mae Sot
- Mae Sai
- Nan
- Nan to Ban Huay Kon
- Pai
- Phayao
- Phitsanulok
- Phrae
- Phrao
- Phu Chee Fah
- Phu Lang Ka
- Sanpatong
- Si Satchanalai
- Soppong
- Sukhothai
- Tak
- Umphang
- Northeastern Thailand
- Eastern Thailand
- Southern Thailand
- About this region
- Ao Nang
- Ao Phang Nga N.M.P.
- Ban Krut
- Bang Saphan Yai
- Betong
- Cha-am
- Chumphon
- Chumphon Beaches
- Haad Nopphara Thara
- Hat Yai
- Hua Hin
- Khao Lak
- Khao Sam Roi Yot N.P.
- Krabi
- Nakhon Si Thammarat
- Nakhon Si Thammarat Beaches
- Narathiwat
- Pattani
- Phang Nga Town
- Phattalung
- Phetburi
- Prachuap Khiri Khan
- Railay Beach
- Ranong
- Satun
- Sungai Kolok
- Surat Thani
- Tak Bai
- Trang
- Yala
- Islands in Thailand
Off the blog
Wat Pan Tao
Thu, 2 Feb 2012
Chiang Mai's "Chinatown"
Mon, 30 Jan 2012
Chiang Mai's Wat Phra Singh
Tue, 24 Jan 2012
Photo: Chiang Dao trees
Thu, 19 Jan 2012
Suan Buak Hat: Chiang Mai's only park
Sun, 15 Jan 2012
More off Travelfish's blog on Chiang Mai
Travelfish on Facebook
Onward travel
-
Chiang Saen
Mae Salong
Chiang Khong
Chiang Rai
Huay Xai (Laos)
Pak Tha (Laos)
Phu Chee Fah
Xieng Kok (Laos)
Chiang Kham
Muang Long (Laos)
The above are all within 200km of Mae Sai.
Thailand FAQ
-
How much should I budget per day for a holiday in Thailand?
What should I pack for a holiday in Thailand?
What is the voltage in Thailand?
Is Thailand safe?
Is Thailand a safe place to travel alone to?
What is the weather like in Thailand?
Should I bring travellers cheques, credit/debit cards or cash to Thailand?
Should I bargain for everything I want to buy in Thailand?
Can I drink the tap water in Thailand?
What standard of acommodation can I expect for US$5?
Can I use drugs in Thailand?
Can I trust the Thai police?
What shouldn't I pack for a holiday in Thailand?
Should I take my own padlock for the door of my room while travelling in Thailand?
What are Thailand's visa requirements?

Mae Sai reviews
Backchat from the Travelfish community
One afternoon in Mae Sai...
... is plenty. Like the above says, there's not a lot to do in Mae Sai other than cross the border. Having said that, if you do find yourself there for an hour or two, try and find your way up the steep steps to Wat Pra That Doi Wao. The temple itself is nothing spectacular (though there is a statue of a large crab knocking about...) but the view from the top is stunning. If you're not going into Burma then you can at least see what you are missing out on from up there - as I did! It is very cheap to get there from Chiang Rai (39 Baht on the bus) so don't write it off as a short, cheap day trip.
By Supergundo (dabbler)
Written on 3rd February, 2011 after a visit to Mae Sai in February, 2011