Mae Sot (Thai: แม่สอด) is a town and district in Tak Province, Thailand at the Thai-Myanmar border with Moei River as natural boundary. Neighboring districts are (North from clockwise): Mae Ramat, Mueang Tak and Phop Phra. The other side of Moei River is Myawaddy town of Myanmar. Mae Sot is 86 km away from Mueang Tak and is accessible via Highway 105 which is doubled as Asian Highway AH1.
Gateway to MyanmarMae Sot is the location where Asian Highway AH1 links between Thailand and Myanmar (Burma) thus it is one of the most important gateways to Myanmar (other includes Three Pagodas Pass). The Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge crossing the Moei River was constructed in 1997 completing the link between the two countries. At the entrance of the bridge is the immigration office opening from 6am to 6pm.
As a gateway city, Mae Sot has its own domestic airport. But due to high fuel costs, some airlines such as Phuket Air have cancelled their flights between Bangkok and Mae Sot.
EconomyTrade with Myanmar, tourism, and sales of local handicraft are a major part of the local economy. The town is visited by tourists, especially those crossing the border to Myanmar, going north to Mae Hong Son Province, or those traveling further south to attractions in Amphoe Umphang. The few streets in the downtown core are lined with gem shops. Rim Moei Market, locate just the base of Thai side of Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, is the most famous market of the area offering imported goods. Two Mussur Markets (old and new one) located on AH1 near the border between Mae Sot and Amphoe Mueang Tak is the market for agriculture products. The two markets are on the different side of AH1. The old one is in Mae Sot while the new one, just 1 kilometer away, is in Mueang Tak. Mussur is the Thai name for Lahu hill tribe.
Burmese refugeesDr Cythnia's clinic is located just outside Mae Sot, towards the Burmese border, serving a substantial local population of Burmese refugees. There is a substantial underground and volunteer economy in Mae Sot due to large number of Burmese people who come here seeking safety from their own military government, or employment. A large number of westerners come here, and to nearby refugee camps and Dr Cynthia's clinic to work with Burmese exiles.
AdministrationThe district (Amphoe) Mae Sot is subdivided into 10 communes (Tambon), which are further subdivided into 86 villages (muban). The town (thesaban mueang) Mae Sot covers the whole tambon Mae Sot. Tha Sai Luat and Mae Ku are townships (thesaban tambon), each covering parts of the same-named tambon. There are further 9 Tambon administrative organizations (TAO).
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