Road Tour 2009 - Part 1, Mae Sai & Tachilek

Touring northern Thailand during the year end festive holidays became an annual event. Last fall I headed up to Mae Sai, a town along Myanmar border in Chiang Rai and traveled toward the eastern part of Chiang Rai bordering Laos.

Long drives are usually boring, but not always. There are occasional moments that kept one entertained. Like watching this dog stood up a human-like in front enjoying the cool breeze!
















I arrived Mae Sai just before Christmas, a week ahead of the New Year crowds. The building behind is the Thai immigration check point. I decide to cross to the Myanmar town of Tachilek this time.





















Leaving the check point towards Myanmar, this gate marks the "Northern most point of Thailand". From here on is a bridge linking the 2 countries.





















This is the small river that serves as the boundary.





















I stood at mid point for a while, looking back towards Thailand.
















And the side towards Tachilek.
















Watching the traffic flow between - a push cart.
















Could a food stall cross over to conduct business too?
















Many Thais too crossed over to shop across the border.
















I was caught by surprise all foreigners were charge Bth500 entry fee even when visa is not required for ASEAN passports. A Bth10 was collected from Thais entering. This was not the practice at Laos & Cambodian border entry points.

My intend was to sample the market alleys on foot and not venture beyond that. Prices are transacted in Baht so there is no need to change money.
















Didn't faill to notice these dragons decorating the roof top above.
















Space here are at a premium, taking up any corner available.
















Push-cart chesnut vendors, pretty common on both side of the border.





















However this stall steam pancakes in pan floating on boiling water inside the pots, something not seen in Thailand.





















Local transport - pulled my a moto-bike.
















Went as far as this round about, beyond I reckon are just ordinary shop houses.
































Official messages towards a "Drug free zone", after all this is part of the infamous Golden Triangle.
































Returning to Chiang Rai, I headed to spent a night at Mae-Salong. A 30km drive off the main road to this mountain town populated by the decedents of the 5th Division of the defeated KMT army in China. The cherry blossoms had not arrived; may be we were here a bit early this year or the weather wasn't cold enough yet.

Ah Wan's new resort opened just a month earlier. Speaking Mandarin, I learned more about the village life and their past coming to settle here.
















It was in far contrast to the crowds & traffic jam in town I've seen during the New Year holidays. Had breakfast and enjoyed the view here before leaving.
















This is the largest banana tree I've ever seen!