Mae Sot accommodation from AU$16

Shopping is fantastic in Mae Sot. Check out the Rim Moei Market for the best place to find Chinese and Burmese imported goods - as well as a large range of counterfeit items. If you're looking for local products, the Burmese Market in the centre of town provides an amazing array of stalls and an interesting insight into the different cultures in the town. Walk through the shops of the Karen and other hill tribe villagers who are selling their unique goods next to large importers of textiles and fabric. Browse the huge choice of tea leaves, cheap designer jewellery, lovely hand-crafted teak items and antiques. You can find whatever you’re looking for right here!

See nature firsthand at the Highland Farm and Gibbon Sanctuary. It's a refuge for formerly abused animals which have been rescued and given a home. Visitors can learn about the threats and issues facing Thai wildlife, and see some of these wonderful creatures up close. For an educational afternoon take a cooking class at the Borderline Cafe. You can learn the techniques of hill tribes cooking, and all proceeds go to support their villages.

Take a break from the city and visit Pha Charoen Waterfall. It’s about an hour from Mae Sot and there are hardly any tourists who make it to these beautiful falls. There are great pools for swimming and a lovely trail winding along the river bank to explore, so bring a picnic lunch and have a fantastic day out.

No trip to Mae Sot is complete without crossing the Friendship Bridge into Myanmar, where you can see the small town of Myawaddy. A day trip is easy to organize and provides a fantastic insight into Burmese culture. Explore the brilliant little town, and try some of the local delicacies. The Tea Leaf Salad and Burmese Pumpkin Curry are especially delicious.

Mae Sot is a vibrant border town that is bustling with activity and a strong local culture. Come and see for yourself the wonderful mix of people which make this one of the most diverse towns in the country. All you need to do is book a flight to Thailand, and find a great deal on Mae Sot accommodation. Come visit on your next holiday!