Experience Shan Culture in Mae Sot on a Weekend

Day 1 – Explore the Culturally Diverse City in Thailand

If you want to experience Burmese culture in Thailand, Mae Sot is the best place to visit. Mae Sot is a small border town located in the westernmost part of Northern Thailand sharing border with Myanmar. Its multicultural vibe, finger-licking Burmese food, and vibrant market make the place totally worth visiting. I live in Phitsanulok, which is in the north as well and is only 250 km away from Mae Sot, so I packed my 2-day backpack on a Saturday morning to explore the beautiful border town.

Highlights of the Day

  • Check in at Green Guesthouse, Mae Sot
  • Streets of Mae Sot
  • Borderline Cafe

Journey to Mae Sot

Try to take the direct van to Mae Sot, because in Tak, you have to wait in a queue to get into the vans to Mae Sot and sometime, the queue is just too long.

Phitsanulok – the city where I stay – acts as a transport hub for places to the north and north-east of the country. Mae Sot is situated in Tak province. There are few minivans to Mae Sot from Phitsanulok bus station, but there are more minivans to Tak, and you can take another minivan from Tak to Mae Sot as there are plenty of them connecting Tak and Mae Sot. You also have direct buses and flights from Bangkok to Mae Sot.

I took the 9 AM minivan from Phitsanulok to Tak, as there was no direct van to Mae Sot at that time. I reached Tak at 12 PM but got the opportunity to get into the van to Mae Sot from there at 2.30 PM. Meanwhile, some freshly fried noodles with vegetables from one of the small vendors in the Tak bus station was my lunch.

On the way to Mae Sot from Tak
There was a construction going on to widen the hilly roads to Mae Sot, otherwise the road to Mae Sot is beautiful because of the surrounding views

The van to Mae Sot does not stop in the main bus station that has been newly built near Mae Sot airport; instead it stops in the Mae Sot town near a local market where you will find many songthaews going to different places away from the city.

Green Guesthouse

Usually I book a hotel or hostel before reaching a destination, especially when it is a travel for such a short time, but this time I just reached Mae Sot and thought of checking out places to stay by myself.

Although it did not take much time as I easily found a cute garden house within just 300 m distance from the bus station where the van had dropped me.

A small, beautiful guesthouse in Mae Sot
As I was walking toward the city center from the bus station, I came across this board and thought of checking inside

I booked a single bedroom with private bathroom for a night.

Cute single bedroom at a guesthouse in Mae Sot
The single bedroom has a single bed with clean sheets though not so bright, yet great for the price I had paid; also there is a small deskspace and the bathroom is small yet very clean – it was a fan room with no aircon

Explore the Streets of Mae Sot

It was almost 5 PM – the border market might have been closed by then, so I thought of exploring the local streets and hit the border area the next day.

The shop signs along the streets were in Thai, Burmese, and Chinese.

Mae Sot is a very small town totally influenced by the Shan culture of Burma – it is one of the most culturally diverse cities in Thailand. The people look different from the other parts of Thailand. I found most of the men wearing sarongs called longyi in Burma. There were many Thai army rangers and Hmong and Karen women in traditional hill-tribe dress – yes, I can now recognize the people from different hill-tribes as I have visited their people earlier in the northern Thailand.

I came across a beautiful Buddhist temple where two roads meet, and found out its name is Wat Aranyakhet. It was beautiful and peaceful.

A beautiful Wat where the two roads meet
The architecture of Wat Aranyakhet is both influenced by Thai and Burmese style

Borderline Cafe

I had read great reviews of a vegan-friendly cafe in Mae Sot online, so I thought of trying it out today for an early dinner. Borderline is a cafe, fair-trade handicraft shop and art gallery, supporting Burmese migrants and refugees on the Thai-Burma border. Not only they serve some great Burmese food, but they also sell multigrain bread made by local baker, spreads like peanut butter made by them, homemade shampoo and several soaps made by several organisations. They also have cooking courses to offer, so you get to know some real secrets of Burmese kitchen.

Inside the Borderline Cafe, Mae Sot
The restaurant has a very welcoming, calm atmosphere
Delicious vegan dinner at Borderline Cafe, Mae Sot
I settled in having Burmese Samosas, Tea Leaf Salad, and Fried Vegetables Noodles – it was extremely delicious and filling

Tea leaf salad is a must-try in Burmese cuisine, locally called “lahpet thoke”. I loved the eclectic mix of pickled tea leaves along with crisp, roasted peanuts, chopped tomatoes, and crunchy beans. I could also taste the fried garlic and toasted sesame seeds in it. Even the samosas made of potato filling and the Burmese-style noodles were worth a try in that cafe.

Later, before getting back to my guesthouse, I strolled by the shops and also came by Mae Sot night market, which is just a small version of regular Thai night markets.

Day 2 – Border of Myanmar and Thailand

This part of Thailand – Mae Sot – shares border with Burma – Myawaddy – to the west. Mae Sot is now notable for its substantial population of Burmese migrants and refugees – the border plays an important role. It has also become the most important trade hub of jade and gem center along the border, mostly controlled by Chinese and Muslim immigrants from Myanmar. I planned to visit the border market today and check it out by myself.

Highlights of the Day

  • Rim Moei Border Market
  • Wat Thai Wattanaram
  • Wadee Burmese Restaurant

Visit to Rim Moei Border Market

As I was already in the bus station, I preferred to buy the return ticket of minivan back to Phitsanulok that would leave at 1.30 PM.

I went to the nearby bus station to get songthaew for going to the border market. But I got to know that songthaews to the border market do not leave from the bus station; instead they leave from Hong Long Mini Mart, which was walkable from my guest house.

The songthaew operates from 6 AM to 5 PM.

I walked to Hong Long Mini Mart and bought some bread and nutella as breakfast while I waited for the songthaew to get filled up. The songthaew does not have a particular time and leaves only after it is filled up with customers. It cost only 20 ฿ to get to the border. The songthaew crosses the border and goes to Myawaddy – it cost 50 ฿ for the people who want to cross the border. It is full of locals who want to go to Myawaddy mainly for trade reasons – you are lucky if you get a decent seat inside it.

At the border of Thailand and Myanmar, Mae Sot
The songthaew dropped me just before the border and it headed straight to cross the border
Moei river at the westernmost point of Thailand
The westernmost point of Thailand is marked here and you are free to take photos here; beyond this point, Moei river is flowing and Myanmar is located on the other side of the river
Rim Moei Border Market at Mae Sot
Precious stones like jade and garnet from Myanmar are abundantly available in Rim Moei Border Market

Besides precious stones from Myanmar, the border market also caters different types of spices from Myanmar, local garments and accessories as well. I bought two pairs of beautiful Burmese trousers for 350 ฿.

Wat Thai Wattanaram

No matter wherever you want to get down, each songthaew ride would cost you 20 ฿, even if you get down a few meters off.

There is a beautiful Buddhist temple 2 km away from the border and on the way to Mae Sot town – you can take any songthaew going back to Mae Sot and get down near the signal close to which the temple is located. On the way back, I did the same. The temple was built in Myanmar style of Mahayana Buddhism – very different from the regular Wats of Thailand. The temple is also known as Wat Thai Yai as it was built by members of the Thai Yai ethnic group of Burma.

The gate leading to Wat Thai Wattanaram in Mae Sot
It was not difficult to find the temple from the signal; if you walk few steps toward right, there is this big decorated gate that indicates the way of the temple
The complex of Wat Thai Wattanaram in Mae Sot
The first thing that would catch your eyes are the shiny golden statues of lion guardians, mostly crafted from brass
The red and golden building of Wat Thai Wattanaram in Mae Sot
The most eye-catching building is enwrapped in golden vine designs
Inside Wat Thai Wattanaram in Mae Sot
You willl find a miniature replica of Myanmar’s Shwedagon Pagoda and a graceful Shan-style chedi
Interesting building inside Wat Thai Wattanaram in Mae Sot
The highlight was a large room centered around a bizarre display of Buddha and other images with a huge 3D map of Southern Asia, complete with a standing plaster Buddha and an Apsara holding silver monk’s begging bowls and moving around the water on a conveyor belt
Series of Buddha images in Wat Thai Wattanaram in Mae Sot
I also came across multiple white Buddha images striking various postures
Reclining Buddha image in Wat Thai Wattanaram in Mae Sot
The temple also had a saffron-robbed reclining Buddha image

The temple was well worth the effort to reach – if there is any temple you want to visit in Mae Sot, this is the one.

Lunch at Wadee Burmese Restaurant

I wished to go to Borderline Cafe for lunch, but I wanted to try a different restaurant for a delicious vegan lunch. So I took a songthaew and got down near Wadee Burmese Restaurant, a vegan-friendly restaurant in Mae Sot, which serves delicious Shan cuisine.

Lunch in a vegan-friendly restaurant in Mae Sot
I especially liked their Shan potato salad apart from the Red Burmese curry they made with tomatoes, tofu and cauliflowers served with hot rice – all for only 110 ฿

Finally I checked out from my guesthouse and boarded the minivan to Phitsanulok at 1.30 PM. It is better to purchase the ticket few hours before or like I did in the morning as the minivan get filled up quickly and you may have to wait for the next one. I went back with lovely memories of Burmese culture, especially Shan culture that I was lucky to experience being in Thailand itself. I strongly wish to visit Myanmar soon to have the real experience, of course.

NET EXPENSE FOR 1 PERSON (IN THB)

Let us have a look at the expenses of  Days 1-2 in Thailand – Mae Sot.

  • Phitsanulok to Mae Sot (round): 350
  • Hotel in Mae Sot (1 Night): 350
  • Food: 250
  • Miscellaneous: 400

Total expense (roughly): 1350 THB

For a more customized itinerary, whether for solo or couple or group of any number of people, feel free to contact me on Contact Us page.

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30 thoughts on “Experience Shan Culture in Mae Sot on a Weekend”

  1. Jane Dempster-Smith

    Great article. I have been to Phitsanulok but never thought to travel to Mae Sot. Thanks for the transport options etc helps make the decision to go plus the excellent food photos you posted. I will definitely visit when next in Thailand.

  2. I loved going through your memories of Mae Sot. Everything looks so exotic and golden. I would really to go there, walk the streets, see the temples and eat the Burmese samosa. I really liked the Burmease tea leaves salad by the way, it was one of the strangest things I have ever ate 😀 I am looking forwad to your next article!

  3. blair villanueva

    Thanks for sharing your recent Mae Sot travel. Those foods looks comforting and delicious, and you chose a place that is welcoming as too. The tea leaf salad is very intriguing 😀

  4. Mae Sot looks like quite a culturally vibrant city to visit. Found the blog to be quite helpful, as you have mentioned everything one thinks of when visiting a new city. And the fact that a weekend in Mae Sot is roughly 1350 THB, makes it quite an interesting weekend destination.

  5. I went to Bangkok , Thailand many years ago and was not fascinated much but reading your post on North Thailand convinces me to give a one more try to it. Mae Sot is influenced by Burmese culture which is great to know and I would love to see it. Tea leaf salad must be something unique to try out here as it comprises of pickled tea leaves. Also it is a budget friendly destination which is great to know. Thanks for all tips and suggestions.

  6. Wow looks so beautiful! I would have never thought to explore this part of Thailand. It’s amazing how you can start to see the Myanmar influence coming through in the architecture and food as you get closer to the border. Mae Sot sounds like a hidden gem! I do love the sound of Borderline cafe, which also supports fair trade arts and crafts which is an amazing initiative. Definitely will check this out!

  7. I have not really explored much of Thailand so Mae Sot is completely new for me. It is definitely a vibrant town, with Burmese and Thai influence. The Wat Thai Yai temple is very striking, the outer facade is brilliant. Thanks for sharing a detailed post, definitely going to look this for future reference.

  8. Good tip regarding the direct van to Mae Sot in order to avoid queuing otherwise. Love how Burmese culture comes to life here. Seems nice that they have a replica of Myanmar’s Shwedagon Pagoda. And it’s also good to know that the transportation car doesn’t leave if not full. Those are the tips one can only learn on the spot. Thanks for that. 🙂

  9. I never been to Thailand so to hear about the Mae Sot is a learning curve for me. I love the looks of the temples and would definalety want to learn more when I am out there,

  10. We never made it to Mae Sot when we visited Thailand. Interesting that this is the spot for a taste of Burmese culture. I might be tempted by your promise of finger licking good food! The Wat Aranyakhet does indeed look beautiful. And very different from the Wat Thai Yai. The red eyed chicken statue was indeed very peculiar. What an interesting perspective to take the photo of the reclining Buddha from the toes.

  11. While in northern Thailand earlier this year, I would loved to explore more about the Sham culture but had never heard of Mae Sot. Thanks for highlighting this area as well as the things to do. The temples are outstanding though the red eye chicken one is unusual. One of our favorite Shan dishes is the Tea Leaf Salad as well. Will certainly check this area out on our next trip to Thailand.

  12. I love that you visited a smaller border town that wasn’t as touristy. The food certainly looked good too! It’s really interesting that the songthaew doesn’t have a particular time that it leaves, they just wait till it fills all the way up.

  13. What a cultural and colorful smorgasbord! You highlighted so many cool places to see and stay, and I love that they’re off the beaten path. Someday I will get to Thailand!

  14. I was married to a Thai guy in the San Francisco Bay Area for a while and there was a strong relationship between them and the Burmese community. They love each other’s food and celebrate their being neighbors!

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