Mae Sot Visa Run

[FarmerJoe]

Hi, I was going to head down to Mae Sot to do my visa run. Is there anything or any place worth visiting? Also can you give me a name for a hotel there? Mid Range priced.

Thank you

F.J.

[BritTim]

It is difficult to advise you on places to visit without knowing your interests.

 

There is not a lot on the Myanmar side of the border, just a largish town.

 

The Thai side is one of the most scenic areas in Thailand. Tak province has many popular beauty spots. If you are driving yourself, it is easy to visit many within a one or two hour drive from Mae Sot town. Some of the very best require some walking to reach. If you search Google for "nature sites in Tak" and "Tak national parks" you will get a good feel.

 

If it were me, I would probably stay in a resort, rather than in Mae Sot itself, but that really depends on your own preferences. Obviously, Mae Sot town provides a wider range of facilities.

[FarmerJoe]

2 hours ago, BritTim said:

It is difficult to advise you on places to visit without knowing your interests.

 

There is not a lot on the Myanmar side of the border, just a largish town.

 

The Thai side is one of the most scenic areas in Thailand. Tak province has many popular beauty spots. If you are driving yourself, it is easy to visit many within a one or two hour drive from Mae Sot town. Some of the very best require some walking to reach. If you search Google for "nature sites in Tak" and "Tak national parks" you will get a good feel.

 

If it were me, I would probably stay in a resort, rather than in Mae Sot itself, but that really depends on your own preferences. Obviously, Mae Sot town provides a wider range of facilities.

The wife and I are dragging the mother-in-law with us, so anything scenic and easy to get to is fine. I'll do the Google search for Tak. I like the resort idea. I'll also go with that. Thank you for the help Tim.

 

Regards

F.J.

[BritTim]

3 hours ago, FarmerJoe said:

The wife and I are dragging the mother-in-law with us, so anything scenic and easy to get to is fine. I'll do the Google search for Tak. I like the resort idea. I'll also go with that. Thank you for the help Tim.

 

Regards

F.J.

I am assuming you are driving. Where are you travelling from? Coming from some directions, Phitsanulok (Wat Yai with the Chinarat buddha) and the Sukhotai historical park can be part of your route without adding much distance. Many Thais are really interested in these two sites.

[advancebooking]

Go south bound down the border to see the displaced camps. Maybe you can help out or donate money. From memory it’s 1 to 2 hours 

[toolpush]

You should check this restaurant out:https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g317132-d2562381-Reviews-Khaomao_Khaofang_Restaurant_Maesot-Mae_Sot_Tak_Province.html

You will not be disappointed. Most amazing washrooms that I have ever seen.

[Lyall Bolton]

Try Mae Moei Resort. Do uturn under the bridge and 2nd soi up. Has a very good restaraunt on corner. Turn down and about 100mt on left. Bht500 per night and Mae Moei markets a few minutes walk back down the road.

[natway09]

Shoot up through a very scenic good road up to Phro Phra if you have time.

About 45 Km turn left at the roundabout before going into Mae Sot

[Jaggg88]

Kamphaeng Phet hot springs are worth a visit.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g775407-d5074656-Reviews-Phra_Ruang_Hot_Springs-Kamphaeng_Phet_Kamphaeng_Phet_Province.html

[FarmerJoe]

I will be driving from Chiang Mai. The wife is from Sukhotai, so we will want to check out other places. 

[FarmerJoe]

Thank you for all the suggestions guys. I will have time to check them all out. Always like hearing from people who have visited the area. 

[BritTim]

2 hours ago, FarmerJoe said:

I will be driving from Chiang Mai. The wife is from Sukhotai, so we will want to check out other places. 

Consider the Bhumipol Dam and Mae Tuen Wildlife Sanctuary on the way there or way back. It is not far from the regular route coming from Chiang Mai.

[BritTim]

2 hours ago, FarmerJoe said:

Thank you for all the suggestions guys. I will have time to check them all out. Always like hearing from people who have visited the area. 

I really like the area. I hope you all have a great time.

[Katipo]

I was just up there for my 10+ visit a week ago.

Mae Sot town itself is a little quiet, with only a few minor temples to see. If you want something cheap and cheerful, stay at the Hop Inn. It's on the main road leading to the boarder... maybe just over 5 mins away. For about 650  baht you clean a modern clean room and comfortable bed.  There are other Thai style resorts and guesthouses as well.

To eat in town you've got Famous Ray's for quality western food. It is run by an NGO, so you're supporting them while you eat. If you really want a unique culinary experience however, go to The Passport restaurant. Again, this place is run by an NGO, but it also doubles as a hospitality/management/chef training school. Each night they offer a 3 course set meal for an almost bargain price. The atmosphere, quality of food and service, is all 5 star. Very highly recommended.

On the Myawaddy side you've got Shwe Myin Won Pagoda. This is modelled on the famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, and is well worth the visit. It truly is beautiful, and you can climb up some of the jedis for a nicer view and some great photographs. Other than that you've got plenty of markets and interesting side streets to wander down. Next to the river are a few restaurants, which if nothing else, are worth a visit just to enjoy the view with an ice cold Myanmar Beer.... which is in a completely different league to Chang, Leo, or Singha. In fact, I always buy a box of 24 cans to take back with me over the border. Never had a problem with customs etc, just put them in a bag. Last time I came back with 48 cans in fact. Again, no problem. Price will be between 27 and 30 baht a can in small stores.

 

On road 105 north of Mae Sot, you can easily reach Maekasa Hot Springs. These are worth the visit, especially if you have some aches and pains, or an egg you want to boil. Dunno, just saying. There is also a cave you can climb up to explore almost next door.

 

[FarmerJoe]

1 hour ago, Katipo said:

I was just up there for my 10+ visit a week ago.

Mae Sot town itself is a little quiet, with only a few minor temples to see. If you want something cheap and cheerful, stay at the Hop Inn. It's on the main road leading to the boarder... maybe just over 5 mins away. For about 650  baht you clean a modern clean room and comfortable bed.  There are other Thai style resorts and guesthouses as well.

To eat in town you've got Famous Ray's for quality western food. It is run by an NGO, so you're supporting them while you eat. If you really want a unique culinary experience however, go to The Passport restaurant. Again, this place is run by an NGO, but it also doubles as a hospitality/management/chef training school. Each night they offer a 3 course set meal for an almost bargain price. The atmosphere, quality of food and service, is all 5 star. Very highly recommended.

On the Myawaddy side you've got Shwe Myin Won Pagoda. This is modelled on the famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, and is well worth the visit. It truly is beautiful, and you can climb up some of the jedis for a nicer view and some great photographs. Other than that you've got plenty of markets and interesting side streets to wander down. Next to the river are a few restaurants, which if nothing else, are worth a visit just to enjoy the view with an ice cold Myanmar Beer.... which is in a completely different league to Chang, Leo, or Singha. In fact, I always buy a box of 24 cans to take back with me over the border. Never had a problem with customs etc, just put them in a bag. Last time I came back with 48 cans in fact. Again, no problem. Price will be between 27 and 30 baht a can in small stores.

 

On road 105 north of Mae Sot, you can easily reach Maekasa Hot Springs. These are worth the visit, especially if you have some aches and pains, or an egg you want to boil. Dunno, just saying. There is also a cave you can climb up to explore almost next door.

 

Thank you Katipo for the suggestions. Those restaurants sound great. I will definitely try them out.

[FarmerJoe]

On ‎1‎/‎2‎/‎2019 at 1:02 PM, Lyall Bolton said:

Try Mae Moei Resort. Do uturn under the bridge and 2nd soi up. Has a very good restaraunt on corner. Turn down and about 100mt on left. Bht500 per night and Mae Moei markets a few minutes walk back down the road.

Just wanted to thank you for your recommendation. We stayed at the resort for the night. The beds were a bit hard, but you couldn't beat the location. Border and market right there. That restaurant was one of only 2 open around there. Good food, great price. And I managed to pick up a couple bottles of Mandalay Rum and a few cases of Myanmar Beer. Also took other peoples recs and visited some nice places. Amazing drive.

[looking on the bright side]

A few years ago we stayed in an amazing, teak panelled  and yet a budget hotel  in Me Sot, its name is First Hotel . The room keys had con rods as  key fobs. Every tuk-tuk driver knows where it is, near the town centre ,can't remember the name of the street. Hope the hotel is still there, it is unique with its interior all in wood carving. There is an evening food market , good stir-fry food, delicious , and day time jewellery market with Burmese  people selling stones, it was pleasant to stay there a few days

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, looking on the bright side said:

A few years ago we stayed in an amazing, teak panelled  and yet a budget hotel  in Me Sot, its name is First Hotel . The room keys had con rods as  key fobs. Every tuk-tuk driver knows where it is, near the town centre ,can't remember the name of the street. Hope the hotel is still there, it is unique with its interior all in wood carving. There is an evening food market , good stir-fry food, delicious , and day time jewellery market with Burmese  people selling stones, it was pleasant to stay there a few days

I remember the First Hotel. As you say, the place has real character. Unless you are stone experts, steer clear of the jewellery market. Most of the stones are either fakes or inferior quality. Scams are the norm.

[Denim]

The hotels in Mae Sot are not as good value as those in Tak back over the mountains.  Always found Mae Sot a bit boring despite having more of the big stores...Robinsons etc.  Lots of NGO's here which is probably why it is more expensive.

 

I thought the Maekasa hot springs north of the town were not worth the drive  unless you really want to boil some eggs.

 

Was there six weeks ago and the construction ( widening ) on route 12 is still not complete and a bit rough in parts although it is now about two thirds complete., just the last 15 k or so unfinished.

 

Tak on the other hand has a few hotels overlooking the Ping river plus a nice riverfront promenade to stroll along in the evening where all the locals go to buy food or do aerobics. A nice riverside restaurant too across from the town where you can get a table right down by the water.