First Weekend in Mae Sot

09/05/09 3:54pm

First, before the weekend started, Friday morning on my bike ride to work I came across a handful of policemen that had randomly stopped a group of “Thai” locals requesting their identification cards. This also happened several times on the bus ride from Chiang Mai to Mae Sot, but every time it happens it surprises me and reminds me how I probably should be carrying around a copy of my identification as a just-in-case, although I still haven’t heard of any incidences where western travelers were asked, yet it’s always good to be safe. On that same bike ride I pass the refugee clinic, a clinic where hundreds of refugees can seek free treatment for everything you can imagine. Treatment is given by a very small handful of doctors, run by Dr. Cynthia Maung who was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her work, and some western volunteers. I was able to visit this clinic the last time I was here and it was quite the eye-opening experience. Every day as I bike by, it is just another reminder of my privileged position in this world and I am humbled as I see people wandering around the clinic.

In terms of this weekend I think I got a good taste for what an average weekend is like in Mae Sot. Having been here before for only a few days, I had a good idea of what the town offers but it was always good to get back out there and re-experience my surroundings. With only two stop lights, unlike Chiang Mai I am able to travel a good length of the town by foot. Also unlike Chiang Mai are the types of people. Yes Mae Sot is a Thai town, but being on the Burma border there is quite the eclectic mix of people, much different feel than Chiang Mai. When you wander the streets you see this fluid mix of people in Muslim garb with a very South Asian feel yet also see those walking around in there Thai King yellow shirts as you pass a store with Chinese characters and lamps selling Chinese tea pots and tea. The food is as eclectic as the people. Quite a treat for those who enjoy being in a diverse atmosphere.

One of the major attractions for the locals is the everyday market that is held in the heart of town. Grocery stores are for the movies. This market is where a lot of people go to get their food, everything from their meats, fruits, nuts, candies, bath goods, you-name-it, is at this market. Unlike other Thai markets this one is heavily influenced by Burmese foods as well so it is an interesting combination of Thai and Burma foods. There also is a smell to this market that is much more pungent than other Thai markets. I can’t really describe how, but I will leave it up to your imagination…Even so I can’t help but mention how this market oddly reminds me a lot of Chinese markets with all the half-alive reptiles (some I have no idea what they are, but look like a combination of snakes and eels) in large plastic buckets, fresh squid, every kind of fish from extremely large to sardine small, fresh and dried shrimp, alive turtles, and my favorite live chickens in cages with a sign above them that says 100 baht ($3.12). Luckily the red meats are already cleaned and chopped ready to be weighed, but never mind the flies that are continually waved away by the sellers. I try my best, but with the combination of heat and humidity I can handle about 30 minutes here before I start to have gagging reflexes. Hopefully this will get better with time since there are some pretty incredible fruits I definitely do not want to pass up.

The only other major event of today was a visit to the local stupa (temple) in the middle of town, my first visit to one since my arrival. It was a breath of fresh air to be near one again and I was able to visit it peacefully for a period of time. The stupas in Thailand all seem to be similar where most look like a huge bell and they are covered by a thin layer of gold sheets. They are also surrounded by buddas in prayer position, very beautiful and peaceful. I took a moment before the temple dogs (there can be quite a lot of them because the monks sometimes will feed them or take in strays, so you can imagine) dominated one side of it in a pack of 6, so I didn’t overstay my welcome. I do have to say even after only about 2 weeks I am getting use to these beasts again, remembering how to maneuver myself around them, just took some time to re-adjust.

Overall that was the gist of it. Much less “exciting” than Chiang Mai but I also appreciate the town a lot since it is giving me a taste for a unique version of Thailand without a ton of the western luxuries (hardly any air conditioning anywhere including my room, now THAT’S an adjustment). Most my weekends will probably be as low key as this one, but still quite enjoyable.
*I realize these can get a bit lengthy, it’s mostly because I have a lot of time on my hands, so if you made it this far thanks for being such a dedicated reader!