Located on a road that could one day link Singapore with Europe, Mae Sot has gained popularity in recent years due to its proximity to Myanmar. It has become one of the most important gem and jade trading points. Hectic construction activity at Rim Moe, a border town, six kilometres and a 10-baht songtheaw ride west of the city is a clear sign of expected increased business activities once crossborder relationships resume. The elegant span of a bridge across the muddy Moei river is already completed although access roads on both sides are as yet not ready.

In the meantime, those who are permitted to do so, wade across the river, use a temporary foot bridge or ferry to the Myanmar town of Myawadi.

The stalls near the river bank are filed with inexpensive handicrafts and textiles from across the border; the fancier looking shops lining the main street carry much of the same thing as well as sparkling gemstones. However, as many of the gemstones are not always on display, you would have to ask for them.

Restaurants, also, do good business featuring Thai and some Myanmar dishes along with fish maw, which is a speciality here.

From Mae Sot excursions can be made to border towns, which always seem to appeal to some, as well as a local pagoda on top of a 300-metre high hill that offers clear views over the Myanmar and Thai countryside.

Those in search of more off-the-beaten track destinations'to explore will find Mae Sot ideal as it is the jump-off point to one of Thailand's loveliest areas - Umphang. Anticipating the trend, some adventure-tour operators already have set up shop here. A suggested excursion to some of the area's most interesting places would take three days/two nights including visits to traditional Karen villages, rafting down the Mae Klong River and viewing the magnificent Thee Lor Su waterfalls.

If you just wish to have a taste of a rafting adventure or if you would like to relax by some scenic waterfalls, a one-day trip is all that it takes. Arrangements for all excursions can be made in Mae Sot. These include the Mae Sot-Umphang trip, a 150-kilometre one-way journey that takes between three and four hours.