From the Border Bridge
For Thailand, I have 12 month Type O non-immigrant multiple entry visa. A condition of the visa is I must leave the country and re-enter every 90 days.
This works fine for me because I go home to Australia every six months and for the other two times I do what expats here call a border run (visa run) to Myanmar.
It means driving to the Thai border town of Mai Sai, four hours, then walking over the bridge to Tachilek in Myanmar, passing through both Thai and Myanmar immigration. I make a short hohiday of it by overnighting somewhere and buying duty free.
Vendors on the Border Bridge
Burmese Car Park Attendant
While in Myanmar, I park in the car park down the alley beside the Wang Thong Hotel, which is in easy walking distance of the border bridge. I took a photo of the Burmese car park attendant who was wearing Burmese make up used by women and men.
Along the way home I made a few tourist stops and took some photos. Firstly I called into a small factory between Mai Sai and Chiang Rai which makes lanterns and brooms. I have bought lanterns there before for loy krathong.
The White Temple
Next morning I first visited Wat Rong Khun “the white temple” about 20 km south of Chiang Rai. It was designed and funded by Chalermchai Kositpipat, a rich and somewhat eccentric artist from Chiang Rai. I have visited the temple many times but it is a life time work for him and I wanted to see the latest progress. Work began in 1996. It has become a major tourist attraction.
Further down the road, there is a village that specialises in making sticky rice in bamboo. I watched a lady boiling up a batch in her humble abode.
At this stage the battery in my camera went flat…so no more photos!
I passed the King Naresuan Shrine and then bought some stuff at a roadside stall near the hot springs. Avocado 3 kg for 100 baht (A$3.55) and mangoes 20 baht (A$0.71) per kilo.
Roadside Sign for Sticky Rice
Boiling Pot
Humble Abode
Boiling Sticky Rice
