weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

MAE SAI is the main town of the Mae Sai District in the far north of the Chiang Rai Province, located at a major border crossing between Thailand and Myanmar. The town of Tachileik, in Shan State/Myanmar is right across the bridge. The Asian Highway Network (Thailand Route 1) crosses the Mae Sai River and leads to Tachileik. The towns of Mae Sai and Tachileik form the bi-national conurbation shared between Thailand and Myanmar. Due to this vicinity with Myanmar, Mae Sai is quite an important market town.

WAT PHRA THAT DOI WAO aka the Temple of the Scorpion - This small but interesting temple is located at the top of a hill behind the Mae Sai border market. To reach it, we climb up the steep and long steps, flanked by the seemingly never-ending scaled bodies of dragons topping the walls at the side of the stairs. The temple is small but turns out to be a photographer's delight with a multitude of very accessible statues of Buddha in many different poses as well as other creatures. In the past, King Wao who ruled Yonok Nakorn built this place in order to store Buddha's hair in in 364 B.E. Wao in the Lanna language means scorpion. Though the temple's condition deteriorated over time, it had been repaired many times and presents itself very well at this time. Additionally, the hilltop location is the perfect spot for panoramic views views over Mae Sai town and towards Tachilek in Myanmar as well as the hilly ranges of the area.


Notes
TRIP INFO: Set # 1 provides a brief introduction to THIS SERIES on SOUTH & EAST ASIA. See it at
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-724330-1.html

THAILAND COUNTRY INFO in set # 143: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-755664-1.html

GOLDEN TRIANGLE INFO in set # 173: https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-758433-1.html

EARLIER POSTS of this series: Access my topic list at UHH, the new posts are listed in reverse chronological order:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/user-topic-list?usernum=45105

Thanks for visiting, for improved clarity please view the downloads. I look forward to your comments and questions.

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1 - My minor album title shot with a motive from the Scorpion Temple as background, portraying happiness galore

(Download)

2 - View over the neat small town of Mae Sai set in a hilly landscape

(Download)

3 - Another view of the town, dotted with its temple spires

(Download)

4 - Zooming in to some of the town's more humble quarters, with the houses still in pretty decent shape

(Download)

5 - Elaborate gate framing the entrance to the border post leading into neighboring Myanmar

(Download)

6 - Four dragons at the base of the dragon-lined stairs to the Scorpion Temple

(Download)

7 - The steep and long stairs to the Scorpion Temple, the walls on the side are topped with the scaled bodies of dragons

(Download)

8 - Approaching the large platform on top of the hill with the Scorpion Temple, the walls at the uppermost part of the steps are now lined with dragons in golden color

(Download)

9 - The main platform of the Scorpion Temple: Numerous Buddha statues in various forms surround the main temple building

(Download)

10 - A closer take of four different Buddha statues in front of the temple, including third from left an unusual "traveling Buddha" with his enormous sunbrella over his shoulder

(Download)

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

For your reference:

11 - Detailed trip map of the Golden Triangle segment of our tour within Thailand, Mae Sai is the northernmost location on the map

(Download)

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

NMGal Loc: NE NM

Another fascinating place, Joe.

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Thank you Bill for your thumb of approval - Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Thanks Barbara, there are quite a few interesting corners here at this northernmost corner of Thailand - Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Colorful landscapes and architectural detail, Joe! Happy Thanksgiving.

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Thanks Mike, yes, for once I do have some landscape images, there will be a few more coming from the Golden Triangle - Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well!

junglejim1949 Loc: Sacramento,CA

Thanks for sharing your adventure Joe

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

You are very welcome Jim, thanks to you for following the tour, I am glad that you enjoyed this set - Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

A picturesque town and magnificent shots or quaint homes and spectacular temples 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Thank you Joe for your appreciation of this place. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Joe

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Excellent once again, Joe.

weberwest Loc: Ferndale WA

Thank you very much Ken - and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio