Tachilek, also spelled Tatchilek or Tachileik, is a
border town located in
Shan State,
Myanmar. It can be accessed from the
Thai town of
Mae Sai, which sits directly south on the other side of the small Mae Sai river. There are two
bridges that provide access between Mae Sai and Tachilek, one is actively used for
border crossings and the other newer one was not yet being utilized as of January 2007. It may be possible for
tourists to take a
bicycle across the bridge, but logistically it would be difficult. It is a porous border and is actually not difficult to wade across the river.
Burmese merchants used to be able to cross over and do their
business in Mae Sai for days at a time. As of 2006 there is a rule that says all Burmese border hoppers must return to the Burmese side before
sundown. The border is also a popular destination for
westerners (referred to locally as
farang) who either reside in or are visiting
Thailand and who need to get their
passport visas renewed.
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