Chiang Mai

soicowboy · #1 28-04-2007, 06:33

Has any one ever overnighted in hotels in mae sai , or casino in burma, like to hear some reviews as would like to spend full day on the mekong?

Simbo · #2 08-05-2007, 23:41

try VirtualTourist.com - Travel Guides, Maps, Photos, Forums, Deals, more. enter Mae Sai into search and follow the links. You should get a site with 4 hotels listed, also comments etc from previous travellers to the region.

karn rian · #3 14-06-2007, 10:07

The river at Mae Sai is not the Mekong. Go to the golden triangle , can cross over to a casino/hotel in burma there. Hotel is dull. Can also stay in ok hotels on the Mehkong at Chiang Khong opposite Huay Xai in Laos.

mez · #4 15-06-2007, 10:38

Have just been 2 weeks ago. Mai sai is on the burmese (myamar) thai border. There is a new hotel just open 12 months. Cheap but rooms are clean and comfy. About 800Bht for the room with breakfast included. It is on left hand side of main road (as you face the bridge) about 10 mins walk. (basically where the shop strip thins out. Can walk to border crossing. It now costs 500TB to cross into Burma. Lots of very cheap shopping on other side. You can also get a driver to drive you around on other side. Barter for price as there are no shortage of tuk tuks and cars.
Lots of beggars- damaged limbs, leprosy, single mums, etc It can be a little overwhelming if you haven't been in similar setting before.
Having said that they are happy with small change and will leave u alone if you ignore them. It's up to u.
The shopping there is very cheap especially gemstones. Be aware the gold has a higher copper mix but there are bargains to be had. Sell all the other stuff u get throughout Thailand but MUCH cheaper. It's worth a day if u are into a different cultural experience or like to shop.
I barter in Thai but a calculater speaks all languages.
Trips on the Mekong do not start at Mai sai. They are at the town where the opium musem and Golden Buddha are at the Northern Triangle. There is a trip where they take you to a village in Laos. Don't just stay in the shopping market area. You can walk down river to the actual village or go further down the road. There really isn't much to do. If u really want a Mekong experience get a Laos visa before u go and take a longer trip downriver to Laong Prebang. Check out on the web. There are 3 day trips.
Enjoy the North.
cheers Mez