The only way to travel direct by public transport from Nakhon Ratchasima to Mae Sai is to travel by bus. By bus the journey from Nakhon Ratchasima to Mae Sai is scheduled to take 15 hours.
Bus Times from Nakhon Ratchasima to Mae Sai
There are currently 3 direct bus services a day from from Nakhon Ratchasima to Mae Sai available to book online.
Nakhon Ratchasima | Mae Sai | Service | Cost | Company |
12:00 | 03:00 | Express | ฿ 843 | Nakhonchai Tour |
16:00 | 07:00 | VIP 32 | ฿ 967 | Nakhonchai Tour |
19:00 | 10:00 | VIP 32 | ฿ 967 | Nakhonchai Tour |
Buy Tickets from Nakhon Ratchasima to Mae Sai
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Nakhon Ratchasima Bus Station
Bus services from Nakhon Ratchasima to Mae Sai depart from Nakhon Ratchasima Bus Terminal 2.
Mae Sai Bus Station
Bus services from Nakhon Ratchasima to Mae Sai terminate at Mae Sai Bus Station.
About travel to Mae Sai
Mae Sai is a lively small border town to the north of Chiang Rai. Mae Sai has sufferred in terms of the number of visitors because of the difficulties in travelling to Myanmar since the country’s military decided to put an end to recent attempts to estabilsh a democtratic system of government. Nonetheless, there are plently of reasons to come to Mae Sai other than to cross into Myanmar. Mae Sai is 26 km by road from the infamous ‘Golden Triangle’. The Golden Triangle is the spot where the joining of two rivers has created a natural three way border between Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. There is a museum and some facilities for visitors to visit at the same time as seeing the interesction of rivers and countries. Other attractions include the Tham Luang cave complex, 13 km to the south of Mae Sai, where a children’s football team were trapped underground in 2018, and Pha Mi Village, 15 km from Mae Sai. Pha Mi Village is home to a community of people from Akha ethnic group which is located 1,200 metres above sea level in a place of outstanding natural beauty.

Mae Sai is a small town with just over 20,000 permanent residents and a small range of hotels, bars and restaurants catering to foreign visitors, but far fewer than in Chiang Rai. What Mae Sai has in abundance, however, is great scenery and opportunities to experience local culture, particularly in the town’s markets. The most visited tourist attraction in Mae Sai is Wat Phra That Wai Dao, which is close to the border crossing with Myanmar. You need to climb up a lot of steps at this temple, but the views are great. Wat Phra That Wai Dao also features a Burmese style stupa, a large statue to King Naresuan, and another large statue of a scorpion. King Naresuan is famous for his military victories over the Burmese, but has no historical connection to Mae Sai.