Mae Sariang is a small town not far from the border with Karen and Karenni State in Burma. It is frequently visited by travellers passing through the northern region of Thailand and serves as a base for quite a few CBOs. In addition to daily morning and night markets, you will find as many as four other markets during the week. While small, they have a welcoming atmosphere, and skipping dinner in order to ‘snack your way through the market’ can easily become a charming, well-tasting habit.
People are very welcoming and laid-back and the atmosphere is quiet and peaceful with excellent places to relax with wifi Internet. Along the river there are several great places where you can sit down, find a hammock, and just relax with your book after a day at the office. Another charming aspect of staying in Mae Sariang is the opportunity to live among a small, steady mix of backpackers and travelers along the lovely Lamphanit Road. At the same time, you could also choose a different street, go to the local markets (where prices are more economical), and often find yourself as the only English-speaking person around. There are a handful of Burmese-influenced temples in town, and Karen clothing and handicrafts form a distinct part of the street scene.
The surrounding area is marked by mostly Karen villages, situated in the midst of a beautiful, mountainous setting with the Salawin National Park just a bike-ride away. Mae Sariang is located about 45 km from the Burmese-influenced border town of Mae Sam Leab, which rests alongside the Salween River and is also a recommended tourist stop for travellers. Mae Sariang is quite the charming place to be, and offers a great glimpse of relatively untouristed Thailand along with Burmese influences and a small NGO community.