Mae Hong Son
Mae Hong Son, Thailand’s second northernmost provincial capital, is sheltered by several high mountains and enjoys a cool climate almost all year round. Until a few years ago, the town was pretty isolated from the outside world and as late as the 70’s accessible only by plane whenever bad weather rendered the roads impassable. As good roads exist now, the town is much visited by tourists who look for a last frontier experience - but it has ceased to have such a status and meanwhile even offers luxury accommodation. Aside from flying, one can go to Mae Hong Son comfortably from Chiang Mai either on Highway 108 via Mae Sariang or on the 274km (171mi) Highway 1095 via Pai.
Mae Hong Son Province is bordered by Burma to the north and west, and a strong Burmese influence can be seen in the provincial capital’s temples and other buildings. Mae Hong Son Province, with an area of 12,681sqkm (4,895sqmi), is divided into the 5 districts of the town of Mae Hong Son (Muang), Mae Sariang, Mae La Noi, Pai and Khun Yuam and the 2 sub-districts of Bang Ma Pha and Sop Moei.
Accommodation
Methi; 55 Khunlum Praphat Rd, Tel 61-1141
39 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-250 (f, ac)
Mitniyom; 90 Khunlum Praphat Rd, Tel 61-1139
40 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-250 (f, ac)
Siam Hotel; 23 Khunlum Praphat Rd, Tel 61-1148
25 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-250
Sanguan Sin; 31 Singhanat Bamrung Rd
Tel 61-1240, 61-1241
28 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-200 (f, ac)
Mae Hong Son Resort; 24 Ban Huai Dua Tambon Phabong; Tel 61-1406, 23-5344
12 rooms, sgl/dbl 300 450
Galae Guest House; 23 Panglo Nikhom Soi 2
Tel 61-1150; 10 rooms, sgl/dbl 40-60
Mae Hong Son Guest House
18 Khunlum Praphat Rd, 5 rooms
Rim Nam Klang Doi Resort; 70/7 Khunlum Praphat Rd; Tel 61-1298, 61-1086 ; 7 bungalows 250-350
25 tents at 50 per person
Places of Interest
Wat Phrathat Doi Kong Mu
This Wat, one of numerous Burmese-style temples in and around the town of Mae Hong Son, is on top of Doi Kong Mu (Kong Mu Mountain), dominating the provincial capital. Constructed by Phaya Singhanatracha, the first King of Mae Hong Son, the hilltop temple affords a wonderful view of the town and surrounding mountains and valleys.
Wat Hua Wiang
The Wat contains the image of Phra Chao Pha Ra La Kheng, a replica of a famous Buddha image in Burma.
Wat Chong Khum
Housed in the Wat are glass paintings and wood carvings which were brought from Burma some 100 years ago.
Wat Phra Non
This Wat is home to a huge, 12m (39ft) long Burmese-style Reclining Buddha image. The temple also houses ashes of Mae Hong Son kings. Two massive stone lions guard the temple staircase.
Around Mae Hong Son
Pha Bong Dam
The dam, some 12km (8mi) south of the town of Mae Hong Son, breaks the flow of the Mae Ra Mat River.
Pha Bong and Nam Hu Hai Chai Springs
The two springs are near the dam along Highway 108, south of the town of Mae Hong Son.
Tribal Development and Assistance Center
The center near Doi Mae Ho, in a scenic area south of the town of Mae Hong Son on Highway 108, is noted for colorful flower plantations; it is administered by the Public Welfare Department. Most of the hill-tribe people who live here are of Karen ancestry.
Wat Kitti Wong
The Wat along Highway 108, south of the town of Mae Hong Son, houses Buddha relics brought from Chiang Mai, as well as manuscripts recounting the history of relations between Burma and the Lannatai kingdom. The ancient records were discovered in the Phra Daeng Cave.
Mae Hu and Mae La Ka Hot Springs
The two springs near Highway 108, south of the town of Mae Hong Son, have water hot enough to boil eggs. In the vicinity are several caves.
Wat Moi To
The Wat in Ban Khun Yuam, south of the town of Mae Hong Son on Highway 108, has a huge and beautiful northern-style pagoda.
Tham Pla Forest Park
At Tham Pla Forest Park, 17km (11mi) north of the town of Mae Hong Son on Highway 1095, numerous fish can be seen in streams inside the cave.
Pha Sua Waterfall
The picturesque 7-level cataract at Pha Sua Forest Park, some 25km (16mi) north of the town of Mae Hong Son on Highway 1095, is best visited between early August and late September.
Meo Tribal Village
This peaceful Meo village is near the Thai-Burmese border, 60km (38mi) north of the town of Mae Hong Son, 35km (22mi) further up the track from Pha Sua Waterfall.
Lot Cave Forest Park
At this huge cave, some 70km (44mi) north of the town of Mae Hong Son, 8km (5mi) off Highway 1095, antiques and pre-historic remains have been found. Beautiful stalagmites and stalactites can be seen.
Transportation
Bangkok - Mae Hong Son
Thai Airways has one direct flight daily from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son. Departure is in the morning. All direct Bangkok - Mae Hong Son flights have a stop-over in Chiang Mai. There are additional connections if one doesn’t mind waiting and changing aircraft in Chiang Mai (see Provincial Flights below). Flight time is around 2:10hrs. The price of a one-way ticket is 1865 Baht.
Direct air and non-aircon buses to Mae Hong Son depart daily from Bangkok’s Northern Bus Station on Phahonyothin Road. Aircon buses leave only once at 18:00; fare is 310 Baht. Non-aircon buses depart at 9:00 and 14:00; passage costs 199 Baht.
An alternative way is to go via Chiang Mai. From Bangkok’s Northern Bus Station on Phahonyothin Road, both air and non air-con buses leave some 30 times daily to Chiang Mai. From Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal, buses leave for Mae Hong Son via Mae Sariang 5 times daily. The trip from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son takes approximately 8 hours.
Mae Hong Son - Bangkok
Thai Airways has a direct daily flight from Mae Hong Son to Bangkok but there always is a stop-over at Chiang Mai. Departure is in the late morning. There are more possibilities for those who don’t mind to change planes in Chiang Mai. Flight time is around 2:10hrs. The price of a one-way ticket is 1865 Baht.
Provincial Flights
Mae Hong Son - Chiang Mai
Thai Airways has two to three direct daily flight from Mae Hong Son to Chiang Mai. Departures are daily in the late morning and in the late afternoon while on some days of the week, a third flight leaves around noon. Flight time is 30 to 40min, depending on the aircraft used.
Chiang Mai - Mae Hong Son
Thai Airways has two to three direct flights daily from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son. The first daily departure is in the morning, the second in the late afternoon; the third one, not on all days, is usually in the late morning. Flight time is around 40min.
Pai
Pai is a town in Mae Hong Son Province, some 100km (63mi) west of the town of Mae Hong Son.
Accommodation
Wiang Pai; 26/4 Rungsiyanon Rd, Tambon Wiang Pai; 15 rooms, sgl/dbl 80-100
Wildlife Reservation Tourist Houses; Bam Mae Na Toeng
Places of Interest
Lisu Tribal Village
The village is at Pang Paek some 30km (19mi) northwest of the Pai District Office.
Wat Nam Hu
The Wat 3km (2mi) from the Pai Market houses an important Chiang Saen Buddha image, 61cm (24in) wide at the base and 76cm (30in) high. The image’s topknot can be opened and hold holy water.
Rafting Along Pai River
The Pai River is the biggest and longest river in Mae Hong Son Province; its approximate length is 180km (113mi) and for considerable distances it is 30m (98ft) wide and up to 7m (23ft) deep. Rafting on the Pai has become popular among young tourists. Three suitable routes are recommended. They are:
1. From Huai Chang Kaeo, 16km (10mi) upriver to Wiang Nua Bridge or Ban Chumphon near Pai. The trip takes approximately 6 hours. The most suitable time to raft this section is between October and March. Arrangements can be made through Sam Mok Tour, 64 Khun Lum Prapat Rd, in the town of Mae Hong Son, Tel (053) 61-1439 or through Tomas Tour, 6 Mua Phisan Rd, in the town of Mae Hong Son, Tel (053) 61-1313.
2. From Ban Mo Tang, 30km (19mi) from Pai, to Ban Pang Mu near Mae Hong Son. This route is almost 70km (44mi) and takes at least 5 days of rafting. Because of a great difference in water levels at one point along this route, rafts have to be changed. Information on rafting this route can be obtained from officials at the Pai District Office.
3. From Ban Huai Dua, around 6km (4mi) from Mae Hong Son to the Burmese-Thai border near Ban Nam Phiang Din. This section of the Pai River is also cruised along by long-tailed motor boat and then takes only 2 to 3 hours. There are possibilities to return on the back of an elephant. Arrangements for the boat cruise, accommodation and trekking can be made at Mae Hong Son Resort, 24 Ban Huai Dua, Tambon Pha Bong, Mae Hong Son.
Khun Yuam
Khun Yuam is a town in Mae Hong Son Province, some 70km (44mi) south of the town of Mae Hong Son.
Accommodation
Mit Khun Yuam; 115 Ratburana Rd, 1 Mu 1
Khun Yuam, 18 rooms, sgl/dbl 60-120
Tourist House; under the Highland Forestry Development Program, Huai Mae Suriu, Mu 13 Tambon Mae Yuam Noi, 13 rooms
Places of Interest
Mae Surin Waterfall National Park
Mae Surin Waterfall, off Highway 108, some 30km (19mi) north of Khun Yuam, is Thailand’s highest falls.
Tung Bua Tong
Each year in November, the hillsides near Khun Yuam are filled with a host of golden Bua Tong blooms. As gay as a daisy and almost as large as a sunflower, the Bua Tong only blossoms for 15 days. Doi Mae U-Kor (Mae U-Kor Mountain) is richest in these flowers. Though it is near Khun Yuam were the largest areas are covered with Bua Tong flowers, a Bua Tong festival is held in the next town further south, Mae Sariang.
Mae Sariang
Mae Sariang is a town in Mae Hong Son Province, some 160km (100mi) south of the town of Mae Hong Son.
Accommodation
Mit Aree; 158 Mu 2, Mae Sariang Rd
Tel 61-1022, 61-1033; 49 rooms, sgl/dbl 100-300
Mae Sariang Resort; Laeng Phanit Rd, 10 rooms
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