Mae Sot offers a taste of Myanmar, without crossing borders

The influence of Myanmar culture in the town makes it all the more enchanting. Mae Sot is a border outpost and separated from Myanmar by the Moei River. People often use the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge or take a short ferry ride to cross into each country. On Wednesday, local authorities of both countries will hold a ceremony to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the friendship bridge. To commemorate the occasion, authorities on both sides have discussed the possibility of allowing visitors from Thailand to explore more cities in Myanmar, in addition to Myawaddy, which is located on the other side of the river. For a long time, Mae Sot has been home to ethnic groups such as the Karen, Hmong and Lahu, as well as Myanmar migrant workers. It is estimated that more than 100,000 Myanmar people live in the town and work in factories, on construction sites and in the hospitality business. Many shops also have signs written in Myanmar language. Mae Sot is known as a trading outpost for gems and teak imported from Myanmar. In addition, cooking ingredients like fresh or frozen shrimp, seasonings, agricultural and factory products are also traded. It is estimated that the trade value between the two countries is as high as 30 billion baht a year. This source of income is also a major contributor to the economy of Mae Sot. Wandering around the town, you will notice several Myanmar-style temples. Among them are Wat Chumphon Khiri, noted for its golden pagoda built in the style of the famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon; Wat Thai Wattanaram, which houses a reclining Buddha built in the style of Myanmar; and Wat Manee Phraison, which houses more than 500,000 Myanmar-style seated Buddha images inside its praying hall. Another highlight is Wat Phra That Doi Hin Kew, a forest temple which has a golden pagoda built on top of a gold-painted rock over a cliff. The style resembles the Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda, the iconic marvel built on top of the famed Golden Rock in Myanmar's Mon State. Foodwise, there are several ready-to-eat Myanmar dishes offered by vendors at a morning fresh market in town. There are also shops which mainly sell items for Myanmar people such as longyis, blouses, sarongs, purses and handicrafts. Not far from the fresh market is a gems market where you may find good prices for gems and jewellery in various colours and designs. Wandering around the town at night, you will come across pubs, which play Myanmar music because the places are dedicated almost entirely to clientele from the country. It is not far wrong to say that Mae Sot is in fact little Myanmar. From bangkokpost