The Tachileik Market in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar offers a wide variety of goods, mainly consisting of local handicrafts, forest products, imitation items, and some illegal goods. When shopping, visitors should choose trustworthy stores and avoid purchasing from street vendors. Purchases should be made in reasonable quantities, such as:
- Alcohol: No more than one bottle
- Cigarettes: No more than one carton
- CDs/DVDs: Should be bought in limited quantities
- Copyrighted items (protected under Thai law) should be bought for personal use only and should not be bought as gifts to avoid fines due to excess quantity.
On the Thai side, the main border trade markets are Sai Lom Joy Market and Doi Wao Market. These markets sell similar products to those in Myanmar but generally have a higher quality while maintaining competitive pricing. These markets are major hubs for consumer goods, food, and souvenirs.
The Doi Wao-Sai Lom Joy Market area connects directly to Tha Lo Market in Tachileik, Myanmar, making the border trade scene vibrant all year round, even during the off-tourism season. The markets serve as distribution centers for products from China, India, and Myanmar, as well as local goods such as:
- Dried foods
- Snacks
- Clothing and textiles
- Electronics
- Cosmetics
- Toys, etc.
Prices vary, and bargaining is possible. To accommodate tourists, the Mae Sai Municipality has constructed covered walkways to improve convenience for shoppers.
