The border was an interesting experience....the border is connected by a bridge called the friendship bridge, under the bridge runs a river, however the river bed is fairly dried up and you literally can walk across the water or maybe take a raft in deeper spots. The border is very porous and people go back across the bridge regularly smuggling items in and out of Thailand, and when they don't use the bridge they go under the bridge and use the river. The river and the river bed is 'no mans land' anything goes and the land is neither Thailand or Burma. The area I walked along in the Thailand side has razor wire all along it, but then built right up to the razor wire is little shanty type huts selling goods...cigarettes, vibrators, Viagra, alcohol and pretty much anything. The area is littered with garbage. There are small children begging. There were three following me from about ages 4 to 10. Someone had given the two youngest ones some treats, so I bought the oldest one an ice cream...this was a mistake cause then the other two latched on to me like you wouldn't believe.

It was an interesting place and lots of movement and activity around. I saw some people under the bridge playing cards, then when I saw them get up it was with a large wad of cash...obviously some gambling going on.