(At the border between Thailand and Burma, there is a huge sign that announces one’s entry into the Union of Myanmar)
After posing for a number of pictures, we left Sop Ruak behind us and proceeded north to Mae Sai, the northern-most town on the border of Thailand. Though this is rather a one-horse town, it is distinctive for the numbers of Burmese traders who cross the border daily to hawk their wares in Thai markets. Of course, we could not resist the thought of crossing the border physically into the Union of Myanmar, a very easy walk across a narrow bridge where Immigration formalities are carried out.
The picture above shows the murky waters of the river across which is constructed the access bridge that gets visitors over from Thailand into Burma. No fanfare, no fuss. Once immigration formalities are carried out (something of a challenge if you don’t speak Burmese!), you walk right across into Burma. Don’t allow yourself to feel intimidated by the army presence in the hordes of soldiers milling around and the imposing portraits of army generals on the walls of the Immigration Office. For the most part, service is courteous and prompt even if communication of any kind is non-existent.
Obtaining a Burmese visa at the border crossing, we proceeded on foot into the Burmese town of Thakilek and found it to be not much different from Mae Sai. In the middle of a bustling roundabout was a huge billboard announcing international flights by Air Bangan, Burma’s flag carrier. Traffic seemed orderly enough and, at first sight, there seemed little difference between any small Thai town and this Burmese border settlement.
Thakilek advertises itself as the City of the Golden Triangle as most visitors heading towards the farthest reaches of Thailand pass through this town. Though it hasn’t much to say for itself, it does present the tourist the interesting opportunity to cross borders and enter into a world that has remained sheathed for almost a quarter of a century. Because it is rather difficult for Western tourists to obtain visas to Myanmar from their coutnry of origin, the foot route into Burma from Thailand offers a unique opportunity to glimpse one of the least-known parts of Asia. For a mere five dollars, one gets the exotic stamp of an infrequently explored country on one’s passport–another small bit of excitement to warm the cockles of any avid traveler’s heart!
If ambience and a distinctively old Burmese “Road to Mandalay” kind of atmosphere is what your toursist heart craves, there is a striking blue pagoda of a Buddhist monastery in Thakilek and on exploring the town further, I found it to be rather well laid out. The “City of the Golden Triangle” finds its greatest revenue comes from tourist buses that cross over from the Thai side to buy cheap souvenirs to remember their visit.
Bon Voyage!