Wolfgang's photos with the keyword: Mae Sot

The Thod Kathin Festival ceremony is unique: it brings together monks, nuns and laypeople of different nationalities and Buddhist traditions. Its a traditional Buddhist festival celebrated by villagers in Northeast and West Thailand. Colorful parades and offering ceremonies at the end of monks´ retreat at local temples. On Owk-Pansa day of the full moon, villagers and city dwellers will go to their local temple for prayers and paying respect to the sacred.

The border pass now is easier for foreigners. On the 5th of Dec. 2011 the authorities reopened the checkpoint with a great ceremony. Travelers now can cross the border and go on the way to Mawlamyne (Moulmein) min Burma.

The bridge is located in Tambon Tha Sai Luat, across the Moei River between Tak’s Mae Sot district and Myawadi in the Union of Myanmar. It is 420 m long and 13 m wide. There are always different restrictions about crossing the bridge to enter Burma. For long nose foreigners (westeners) for a long time it was not possible to enter Burma at this point. But at the present in Nov. 2012: Foreign visitors wishing to travel across the bridge to enter Myanmar are required to present their passports to get a free-of-charge visa at the immigration checkpoint on the Thai border. On the Burmese side, ten U.S. dollars (subject to change) per person must be paid at the immigration checkpoint for a one-day visit from 06.00 – 18.00 hrs. Foreign visitors are not allowed to go farther than 2 km from the checkpoint.

The pagoda called Phra Chedi Gonwin (Korawiri) in is built in Mon-style. Its an important site of worship.

Worth to see is also the important Phra Chedi Gonwin Pagoda in the middle of the compound.

Outside the temple its a long galerie of 28 Buddha images, every in a different style. One statue is underneath an holy Bodhy tree a frequent destination for pilgrims, being the most important of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Inside the temple, there is Phra Phutthamahamuni, an imitation image of the sacred Buddha image in Mandalay, Union of Myanmar, which gains great respect from the people of Tak.

Behind a huge meeting hall is a great white reclining Buddha image. The temple was originally known as Wat Thai Yai as the construction of the temple was greatly influenced by Burmese culture and Mahayana Buddhism.

The temple was formerly called Wat Mae Tao Ngiao or Wat Thai Yai. Its a temple of the Mahayana Buddhism (Great Vehicle) of the Thai Yai people whose traditions, cultural arts and rituals are influences of the Union of Myanmar. It was built in 1857 by Mr. Mung, a Burmese villager in Shan State, whose family migrated as refugees to Mae Sot district.

The vibrant Burmese Rim Moei Market at the border to Burma represents an amazing cultural mix. There are Indo-burmese textiles, food and teak; as well as Karen, Mon, Hmong and other Burmese minority shops of all kinds. Turtles, eels and frogs all available at food stalls (mostly these are live) while pork, chicken, beef and lamb are also sold. There are numerous gem and jade shops (not for amateurs). You had best be able to tell the difference between real and fake gems if you plan to buy. And some vendors show your a photo album with pictures of all kinds of weapons. Interested buyers soon get delivered every thing they like to need, also e.g. machine gun.

Thanaka powder is regarded as the secret of the beauty and healthy skin of the women of Myanmar. The Burmese grind the bark of the fragrant Thanaka tree, which is related to the sandalwood tree, to make Thanaka powder. They then form the powder into logs and sell it for application on the face and body. Application of Thanaka powder enhances beauty, acts as a perfume and has sun protection, astringent and antiseptic properties. Its a good and healthy burmese tradition to use this natural make up as a sun light protection. Most burmese women use this all days - and not only women! I use it also!

Mae Sot province, Amphoe Umphang