Mae Sai  Market  in Myanmar

               Mae Sai is the most northern district of Thailand.  It is far away from downtown 61 kilometers, Highway No. 110 and it borders   Tachilek province in Burma. There is a bridge across Mae Sai river connected both Thai and Burmese and free trade. Thai tourists travel to the popular market of Mae Sai and Tachilek of Myanmar to buy local cheap products such as herbal soaps, whisky, brass and baskets. The tourists travel to Myanmar every day between 6:30 to 18:00 pm by using ID card or other the government issued. 30 baht fee for each crossing to Myanmar and 10 baht fee for enter into Myanmar. The products are not allowed to bring back to Thailand such as wild animals, liquor, tobacco and pornographic CDs. The goods has import tax. (Mae Sai Immigration Check point call. 053-731008, Mae Sai office Tel. 053-733233, 053-731396.

Picture L.        The sun rise at Mae Sai

           R.        Sticky rice in bamboo

Phra That Doi Wao is located at Moo 1, Tambon Mae Sai, Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai. (Located on the hill nearby the Sai River). According to the legend of the King Wao who reigned over Nak Phun Yonok city who built the pagoda contained hair of the Lord Buddha B.E. 364.  Phra Thud Doi Wao is one of the oldest, followed by Phra Thud Doi Tung. On Phra Thud Doi Wao is very good view and it has the sightseeing tower that you can see both Mae Sai And Tachilek province of Myanmar Clearly. The large Scorpion statue (Mang Wao) has been built at outstanding square of north of the Phra Chedi( Pagoda ).  A monument of the King Naresuan, the Queen Phra Supan Kalaya and Phra Ekathossaros were preserved by the side. The three monuments were  built by Luang Pu Ngong  Sorayo  the venerable Thera, the abbot of  Khao Ruak temple  in Phichit  province, including  to  the Prai Cha Yon castle  was created to announce the goodness And  worship Lord Indra (Lord  Amarin).  It was created by several parties both public and private, wealthy persons of Mae Sai, etc. On the Myanmar side also can be looking. It is a very beautiful view and   walking down to visit each others in Burma.

          When you start into the Burma and tricycle will be available for tour places in Myanmar. We would like to suggest that you should take a walk before buying these inexpensive goods. When shopping is complete and then hire car only 100 baht to visit Myanmar. The highlights of the trip is tour few places such as 3D Buddha image, Chaveda Kong Pagoda model, Long Neck Karen and casino.

          After walking until satisfied, it’s time to ride tricycle trip deep into the Burma about 4-5 km. The picture below is 3D Buddha image that when we see one of the sides, 3D Buddha image will turn to look at us all the time that you have never seen before too.

          Phra Maha Chaveda Kong pagoda model is located on the hill in Chiang Kutara, Yangon, Myanmar. They believed that  the pagoda contained the eight hairs of the Buddha built  for  2500  years ago accordance with Chaveda Kong’s legend  but archaeologists believed  that it was created  between  6-10  century by Mon. Two brother merchants met the Buddha and gave them the eight hairs.

          Phra Maha Chaveda Kong pagoda model was abandoned until the 14th century. When Phra Chao Phin Ya Ue the King had the graciously pleasure  to build a new 18 meters high pagoda.                                                                                           It was repaired until the height 98 meters in the 15th century and destroyed by earthquake. The pagoda has been damaged and in B.E. 2311 (in the Thon Buri period) there was a serious earthquake. The top of the pagoda had broken down. There was also a story that the gold wrap the pagoda, Myanmar has gotten from Ayudhya. Phra Maha Chedi's model construction On the top of the pagoda, there are 5,448 diamonds, especially, the biggest diamond on topmost is 72 karat   and 2,317 rubies.

          Phra Maha Chedi Chaveda Kong model was created for pilgrims come to pay homage and catch one’s eye of many tourists to visit here.

Picture          L.        Morning market

                                 R.        Egg preserved in potash

Picture              L.        bean – curd cheese

                           R.        Woman street vendor

Traveling to Chiang Rai

 By car

There are 2 routes from Bangkok to Chiang Rai.
-  By car from Bangkok using the Phahonyothin Rd. (Highway No. 1) pass Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri, Nakhon Sawan , Kamphaeng Phet, Tak  ,Thoen district  and Lampang. Go straight to Phayao reach Chiang Rai about 830 kms.

        If you want to go Chiang Mai continue on highway No.1 from Lampang. When you  reach  Chiang Mai  then  continue  to Doi Saket - Mae Ka Chan - Wiang Pa Pao -Mae Suai district   and  reach   Chiang Rai  about  900  kilometers.

-  By car   from Bangkok, using the Phahonyothin Rd. (Highway No.1) past Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Sing Buri and Nakhon Sawan.  Go straight to Phichit (pass Pro Tha Le, Pho Prathap Chang, Sam yam district), turn left to Phitsanulok  on Highway No. 1084 to Uttaradit. From Uttaradit  turn right to Den Chai district of  Phrae  Highway No. 1105, turn right to Highway No. 101 (46 kms)  to Rong Kwang district of  Phrae, turn left  to Highway No.103 (70 kms) then  continue  on  Phaholyothin Rd. (Highway No. 1)  at Ngao District and turn right to Phayao and  reach Chiang Rai  about  780  kilometers.

- By air conditioned bus or non-air conditioned   bus from the second  Kamphaeng Phetch  Bus Terminal    to Chiang Rai everyday.  It takes 10 hours.  For more information   Tel. 0-2537-8055-6.

 Journey between Chiang Rai and nearby provinces
  -  By bus from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai, Phayao, Phrae, Nan, Lampang Mae Sot, Pattaya, Phitsanulok, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Phanom, Udon Thani and Chiang Rai Bus Terminal ,  for more information  Tel :  0-5371-1224.

 By Train
        From Bangkok the state railway station to Chiang Mai or Lampang Province. Continue to Chiang Rai by car or by taxi. For more information, please connect travel service section  at  Bangkok railway station  Tel .223-7010, 223-7020.

By air

         Thai International Airways has many flights between Bangkok and Chiang Rai everyday. For more information call 1566.
Reservations Tel.  280-0060, 628-2000.

         Mae Sai  is  original location of  the  Lau  city  called   Wiang Sri Thaung  that it is one of subject  city  of  the kingdom  called "Yonok Nakhonrachthani Chai Buri Sri Chang Saen (Chiang Saen district  in the present)  created  by the first king named  Singhanawattiracha.

Picture           L.        Northern Food

                                R.        Woman street vendor

Picture               L.        Desert

                                                R.       Good morning Mae Sai

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