Mae Sot
Mae Sot is a Thai border town across the Moei River from Myanmar. Go for the Rim Moei Market, the Friendship Bridge to Myawaddy, and the gem and teak trade.
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Mae Sot is a city in Tak Province, western Thailand, on the Moei River across from Myanmar. It is the seat of Mae Sot District and the main land gateway between Thailand and Burma, known for its wholesale gem and teak trade. Burmese migrants and refugees make up a large part of the population, so Burmese is widely heard in town alongside Thai. The city is about 87 km from Tak, the provincial capital, and sits on flat foothill plains with the Thong Chai range to the east.
The Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge over the Moei River, opened in 1997, links Mae Sot with Myawaddy. A second bridge, opened in 2019 northwest of town, mainly carries goods. Rim Moei Market, a few kilometers west of central Mae Sot near the border, sells imported goods and woodwork. Visitors should stay alert and avoid unofficial dealings, since the town has a black market in smuggling, human trafficking and illegal drugs. Plan for the dry winter months, since April is very hot and the monsoon runs from May to October.
Mae Sot in five
- Do not plan to cross into MyanmarGovernments including the UK and US advise against travel to Myanmar, and the crossing at Mae Sot can close without notice. Treat Mae Sot as a Thai town, and read your government's advice before anything else.Thailand entry rules
- Visit the markets and temples in townThe town has a visible Burmese and Karen presence, with markets, tea shops and temples built in a Burmese style. Ask before photographing people, especially near the river.
- Go to Umphang between November and JanuaryThe Thi Lo Su waterfall is most impressive after the rains, from about November to January, and the road from Mae Sot to Umphang has hundreds of bends. Book a driver or tour rather than drive yourself.
- Respect the border and checkpointsRoads near the Moei River have checkpoints, and some areas are restricted. Carry your passport, follow officials and avoid unofficial crossings.
- Combine Mae Sot with Sukhothai or Chiang MaiMae Sot is a long drive from the main tourist loop, so pair it with Sukhothai or Phitsanulok on the way, or Chiang Mai via Tak.Phitsanulok
Need to know
- Airport
- Mae Sot has a small airport with limited flights; check current routes
- Getting there
- Buses and vans from Bangkok, Phitsanulok and Chiang Mai via Tak
- Getting around
- Songthaews, motorbike taxis and hired cars for day trips
- Best base
- Near the central markets and Moei River
- Time needed
- 1–2 nights; 3–4 days with Umphang
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear2 rainy daysHigh31°Low17°Cool, clearJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clear
- FebruaryClear2 rainy daysHigh34°Low18°Warm, haze riskFebruaryClear
Good
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, haze risk
- MarchClear2 rainy daysHigh36°Low20°Hot, hazeMarchClear
Mixed
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, haze
- AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh36°Low22°Hottest, SongkranAprilPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 54 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest, Songkran
- MayRain22 rainy daysHigh33°Low23°Hot, rains startMayRain
Poor
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 229 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, rains start
- JuneRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°RainyJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 391 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- JulyRain29 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°RainyJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 540 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- AugustRain28 rainy daysHigh27°Low21°RainyAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 518 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- SeptemberRain27 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low21°RainySeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 386 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rainy
- OctoberRain20 rainy daysHigh30°Low21°Rain easingOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 164 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain easing
- NovemberPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh30°Low20°Waterfalls fullNovemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Waterfalls full
- DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh30°Low18°Cool, dryDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, dry
Average daily high and low in Mae Sot, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Mae Sot
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 96%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 45%
Mae Sot
03:37 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today34°23°45%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 34°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 45%.
- Wed34°22°41%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 34°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Thu33°23°69%Thursday: Rain. High 33°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Fri32°22°92%Friday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Sat30°23°76%Saturday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Sun32°22°14%Sunday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 14%.
Updated 03:19 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 33.76 THB
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Umphang and Thi Lo Suabout 3–4 hours by roadA remote district with a large waterfall, best after the rains.
- Phitsanulokabout 4–5 hours by roadA gateway city with a major Buddha image and trains to Bangkok.Read the guide
- Sukhothaiabout 3–4 hours by roadA World Heritage historical park with temples and lakes.Read the guide
Before you go to Mae Sot
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Rules for Mae Sot, checked
- Check Thailand's current entry rules for your passport, including visa-free entry and any entry scheme, on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs site before you book.Source
- Save Thailand's emergency numbers in your phone before you travel, and ask your hotel for the nearest hospital or police station.
- Buy gems and teak only from shops that give receipts, and check Thai customs rules before you take them out of the country.Source
- Mae Sot has a black market in smuggling, trafficking and illegal drugs, so avoid unofficial deals and never carry items for anyone else.
Plan around Mae Sot
Islands, cities and the north beyond Mae Sot
Read the guidePhitsanulokGateway city on the way east
Read the guideSukhothaiHistorical park on the route to Mae Sot
Read the guideChiang MaiNorthern hub by road via Tak
Read the guideLampangQuiet northern city on the main line
Read the guideMyanmar travel adviceWhy to read official advice before the border
Read the guideBest time to visit ThailandCool-season window for the west
Read the guideMae Sot FAQ
Can you cross into Myanmar from Mae Sot?
Do not assume so. Governments advise against travel to Myanmar, and the crossing can close at short notice. Read your government's advice and treat Mae Sot as a Thai destination.
Is Mae Sot safe for tourists?
The town itself is generally calm, but it is near a sensitive border. Check current advice, avoid restricted areas and follow checkpoints.
How do you get to Mae Sot?
By bus or van from Bangkok, Phitsanulok or Chiang Mai via Tak. The trip is long, so most visitors stay a night.
When is the best time to visit Mae Sot?
November to January is cool and dry, and the Thi Lo Su waterfall is at its best just after the rains.
What is there to do in Mae Sot?
Markets, Burmese-style temples and tea shops in town, and a long day or multi-day trip to Umphang and the waterfall.