Tachileik (also spelt Tachilek) is in Shan State, Eastern Myanmar, on the border with Thailand.
Although just five metres across the river from Mae Sai, the northernmost town in Thailand, Tachileik seems a different world. The happy outgoing atmosphere that you have been used to in Thailand evaporates instantly and is replaced by a slightly uptight one. This is not to say that the Burmese people are not welcoming, indeed they love tourists and are very keen to sit down and talk (when they think they are not being watched), but do not expect to feel at ease here, and do not be surprised if you are followed by government people throughout the town.
Tachilek is small and there are plenty of trishaws for hire; short 1-2 hour tours can be negotiated for about 200-300 baht. Motorcycle taxis and car taxis are also available. The bus station and airport are outside town on the road to Kengtung. Take a pickup or hire a taxi to get there.
Market. The local market, populated by vendors from villages near and far, is worth a visit. The market closes in mid-morning. A second market caters to day tourists from Thailand. Shwedagon Paya. The main pagoda in town, it is large and gilded. Not to be confused with its namesake in Yangon.
Regina Casino. Try your luck here, a short 100-baht tuk-tuk ride from the border. They're the same people who own the golf course. Definitely for low rollers, you can play roulette with 10-baht chips. They've also got blackjack, craps and gaming machines. If you change 2,000 baht into chips you get a free Thai lunch. You can change remaining chips afterwards. A casino minibus will take you back to the border.
1 The Circle Cafe, 14 Thazin Rd, ☏ +95 9 475 90063, thecircle.tachileik@gmail.com. Daily 09:00-21:00. A modern, air-conditioned cafe and restaurant. The second floor has scenic mountains views. (updated Sep 2017)
Golden Palace Plaza This is the duty free shop on the Burmese side of the border. The complex now has a 'steak house' of sorts, serving chicken, pork and beef steaks and french fries. The main reason to eat there is the range of beers and wines that can be pulled out of the fridge to accompany your food: Belgian beers, German beers, Mexican beers and sometimes Beer Lao, all way, way below the prices 20 m away across the Sai river in Thailand. As the border is now open until 21:00, you can afford to linger after your days shopping and gambling. MHTS Duty Free Shop This is located in the main tourist market, near the KBZ bank.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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