Mae Sai (แม่สาย)

Thai. Name of a town in Chiang Rai Province and Thailand’s official northernmost point, located along the Ruak River (fig.), which serves as a natural border with Myanmar, directly across from the town of Tachilek (တာချီလိတ်). It marks the end of Thailand's Highway Number 1, also known as the Phahonyothin (พหลโยธิน) Road, which stretches from Mae Sai to Bangkok, covering approximately 995 kilometers. In Bangkok, Highway 1 connects with Highway Number 4, also known as Phetkasem (เพชรเกษม) Road, which runs south and via the western peninsular coast for for 1,310 kilometers before reaching the Sadao (สะเดา) border crossing into Malaysia in Songkhla Province. However, for travelers heading to Thailand’s official southernmost point at the Betong (เบตง) border crossing in Yala Province, the combined total distance from Mae Sai via Highway 4 and additional routes is just 2,058 kilometers, according to a Mae Sai kilometer marker, whereas the straight-line distance is approximately 1,639 kilometers. However, there are minor discrepancies between the official and actual northernmost and southernmost points. The actual northernmost point lies about 8 kilometers east and slightly north of the official designation, while the actual southernmost point is located roughly 19 kilometers east and much farther south of the officially recognized location, and that straight-line distance spans circa 1,656 kilometers. As an important border crossing, Mae Sai is a bustling hub of commerce, particularly known for its trade in goods from both Myanmar and China. The town has long been a key point for cross-border trade, tourism, and local markets, with products such as gemstones, handicrafts, jade, electronics, clothing, and traditional medicines flowing through the area. The town's border markets are particularly vibrant, offering a mix of locally produced goods and imports, which attract visitors and traders from both sides. Chinese products also make their way into Mae Sai due to China’s strong trade connections with Myanmar, contributing to a diverse range of goods, including electronics, textiles, and household items. Mae Sai serves as a strategic trading point not only for local commerce but also for larger regional trade networks between Thailand, Myanmar, and China. Wat Phrathat Doi Wao (fig.), a hilltop sanctuary and Thailand's northernmost Buddhist temple, offers panoramic views of the surrounding area, including an aerial glimpse of Tachilek just across the border. In 2024, a glass-floored skywalk was added, enhancing the experience for visitors even more. WATCH VIDEO and VIDEO (E). 回