This temple sits on a hill and offers dramatic views of nearby Myanmar, especially the town of Tachilek. Look for a steep, narrow lane that turns off to the west of Phaholyothin Road just before the bridge and walk the gauntlet of souvenir vendors to reach the temple on the hill. Be warned—it’s a steep climb.
While the main reason for trekking up the hill is to enjoy the views, if you’ve visited many temples in Thailand you’ll notice that this one does not follow the usual template. There are several halls for worship, some in Burmese style, and many Hindu statues.
The most striking statue, however, is of a giant scorpion, after which the temple is named. The chedi here is thought to date back over two millennia, and at the time of our visit, the area around it was being re-structured to accommodate even more souvenir stalls.
Getting There
If the steep walk looks too daunting, hire a motorcycle taxi on the main road to run you to the top for 10B. If you have your own transport, you can drive to the top.
Need to Know
- What is it? An unusual temple that boasts views of Myanmar and Thailand.
- Opening hours: 06:00-18:00 daily.
- Entrance fee: free.
- Address: To the west of Phaholyothin Road
- Where: near the bridge in Mae Sai.