When we drove around in the area of Sansai today on some small roads, we could see some huge open pits, some filled with water, but some in operation or so it seems. Can someone please enlighten me? What are they doing there? I asked a Thai friend about it, but to my surprise he did not know.

Where do you think all the soil comes from to build up the land when houses are built above the flood level?

North of Mae Joe?

ME is correct, they are selling dirt. Your Thai friend probably did not want to tell you.

Mae Rim would be a whole different shape now if it weren't for all the dirt knocking down the hills plus excavations....some of which are lakes depending on water table.....

If you want to see some real pits check out the "Canyon" way down Canal Road.Now a popular spot for diving and drowning.

Every housing estate and major road requires fill,imagine how much the new airport will need when its built.

Thank you guys. And I thought they were digging for gold.

Thank you guys. And I thought they were digging for gold.

No thats at this location. 16.290318, 100.646009 (Chatree Gold Mine)

There are plenty of fish-ponds near Mae-Jo, too. It's a local industry round here.

And gold is reported to have been found in river-sediments down at Lampang.