Waley Populated Place

Waley is a small town about 40 miles from Mae Sot in Thailand’s Tak Province. Sitting close to the Myanmar border, it has long carried a reputation as a smuggling point.

The town saw its greatest growth on the back of the timber trade with Myanmar, but that trade eventually wound down for political reasons. Since then, Waley has become known instead for its teak furniture production.

There is not a great deal to do in Waley, and that is rather the point. With mass tourism decidedly absent, the town keeps a traditional rural charm and an unhurried atmosphere long since lost in more developed parts of the country.

Waley can be reached by songthaew (covered pick-up truck) from Mae Sot, with services every 30 minutes between 06:00 and 18:00. The nearest airport is in Chiang Mai; travelers landing there can take a taxi to Arcade Bus Station for buses to Mae Sot (about 3 hours). Those arriving at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport can transfer to Mo Chit Bus Station and take a bus to Mae Sot (about 8 hours).

Nearby: the Highland Farm & Wildlife Refuge, a Thai-American-run sanctuary for gibbons and other animals, welcomes day visitors and live-in volunteers staying three days or longer.