Mae Hong Son
Mae Hong Son, Thailand’s second northernmost proincial city, is sheltered by several high mountains and enjoys a cool climate almost all year round. In the past, the town was isolated from the outside world for lack of good transportation and communications. The province is bordered by Myanmar to the North and West, and a strong Burmese influence can be seen in the provincial capital’s temples and buildings.
Mae Hong Son is administratively divided into 6 Amphoes and 1 King Amphoe namely : Muang, Mae Sa Riang, Mae La Noi. Pai. Khun Yuam, Sop Moei and King Amphoe Pang Ma Pha. With an area of 12,681 square kilometers, Mae Hong Son can be reached from Chiang Mai either by Highway No. 108 via Mae Sa Riang, for the distance of 349 kms. or Highway No. 1095 via Pai which shortens the distance to some 274 kilometers.
ATTRACTIONS
In The City
Wat Phrathat Doi Kong Mu (วัดพระธาตุดอยกองมู) is a Burmese-style temple which dominates the provincial capital. Constructed by Phraya Singhanatracha, the first King of Mae Hong Son, the hilltop temple affords a wonderful view of the capital and surrounding mountains and valleys.
Wat Hua Wiang (วัดหัวเวียง) contains the image of Phra Chao Pha Ra La Kheng (พระเจ้าพาราละแข่ง) a replica of the one in Myanmar,
Wat Phra Non (วัดพระนอน) contains a huge Burmese-style reclining Buddha image some 12 meters long. The temple also houses ashes of Mae Hong Son kings. Two massive stone lions guard the temple staircase.
Wat Kam Ko (วัดถ่ำก่อ) Another name of this temple is Wat Dok Bun Nak which is shady and pleasant having ancient scriptures written in the ancient local dialect informing the history of Thai Yai people.
Wat Chong Klang and Wat Chong Kham (วัดจองกลางและวัดจองคำ) These two monasteries share the same compound. A part from the glass paintings depicting Buddhism and simply life style of the villagers which draw much attention from visitors, there are over 30 wood carving dolls taken from Myanmar during the past century.
Along Higway No. 108
Pha Bong Dam (เขื่อนผลิตไฟฟ้าพลังน้ำบ่อง) about 12 kilometers outside Mae Hong Son, has been constructed across the Mae Ra Mat River for generation electrical power.
Pha Bong Hot Spring (บ่อน้ำร้อนผาบ่อง) is located in Tambon Pha Bong about 11 kms. from township area.
Hu Hai Chai (น้ำฮูหายใจ) , located in Tambon Phabong, is a small pool in the cave from which the water flows out every 45 minutes and there is a breathing sound before the water flows. This is how the place derived its name, ‘Nam Hu Hai Chia’. A trip on foot from Ban Hua Nam Mae Sakut takes about 3-4 hours.
Ban Nam Phiang Din (บ้านน้ำเพียงดิน) is a destination in Tambon Pha Bong of 2-hour long motor boat trip or 1-day rafting along Pai River via Ban Huai Dua, a scenic route with marvellous terraced cataracts. Not too far beyond Ban Nam Phiang Din, within Myanmar territory, lies another frequented tourist destination know as “Pha Horn Nam” (ผาห่มน้ำ)
Long-Necked Karen (กะเหรี่ยงค่อยาว) (or Pa Dong tribe) is a hill - tribe living deep inside Myanmar boder with thailand’s Ban Nam Phiang Din. Women of this tribe wear brass rings on their necks and limbs. The number of the rings increases according to their ages. Their should blades are pressed lower and lower while their necks seem to be longer and longer
Wat To Phae (วัดต่อแพ) is located 7 kms. from Khun Yuam
Market having large beautiful Burmese style vihara. According to legend, it is said that raft assembling people used to gather up in this area prior to making a teak tree raft trip to the marketing places. They, then, combined their efforts to build the temple and called Wat To Phae.
WatMuaiTo (วัดต่อมวย) in Ban Khun Yuam houses a huge and beautiful northern-style pagoda.
Nam Tok Mae Surin National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติน้ำตกแม่สุรินทร์) has its area covering Amphoe Muang and Amphoe Khun Yuam. The main tourist spot ‘Nam Tok Mae Surin’ is located about 30 kms. from Amphoe Khun Yuam in Ban Mae Surin. This beautiful one tiered waterfall of 100 metre in height cascades down the cliff to the lower valley. For accommodation in the national park, contact the National Parks Division, Royal Forestry Department, Tel.. 579-0529, 579-4842 or address to Nam Tok Mae Surin National Park, P.O. Box 16, Amphoe Muang, Mae Hong Son 58000.
Wild - Sunflower Field Doi Mae U - Kho (ทุ่งดอกบัวตองดอยแม่อูคอ) covers the area of 1,000 rais of Wild-Sunflowers, all are in full bloom between the month of November and December which make the hills and surrounding areas look like being plated with gold.
Nom Tok Mae U-Kho (น้ำตกแม่อูคอ), situated at Doi Mae U-Kho, has been discovered in 1987. Just short distance before reaching Thung Bua Tong, the field of the Mexican Sunflowers, there is a branch road running for about 3 kms. to this waterfall. The one tiered waterfall, 30 meters high, flows down between the giant rocks. In the middle part of the flowing water, there is a wide rocky space where visitors can walk through to closely view the cascading water.
Nong Haeng Hot Spring (บ่อน้ำร้อนหนองแห้ง), 25 kms. from Amphoe Khun Yuam, turn left at KM. 174 for 1 km.
Mea La-up Lawa Village (หมู่บ้านละหว้าแม่ละอูบ) in Tambon Huai Horn, is situated in the area where three districts meet: Mae Chaem, Mae La Noi and Mae Sariang. The culture, architecture, costumes and character of the hilltribes here are different from other hilltribes in Thailand. The attraction of this village is its hilltop location with beautiful view. Visitors can easily visit the village for it is only about 32 kilometers from the district.
Huai Horn Karen Village (บ้านกะเหรี่ยงห้วยห้อม) is about 4 kilometers from Ban La-up. Its villagers adhere to their religion and have gentle and polite manners. As the hilltribe community development certer is established in the village, the villagers have been taught to make clothes from wool and how to grow fruits and other plants of temperate climate. Therefore, this village serves as a good model for other hill tribes.
Wat Kitti Wong (วัดกิติวงศ์) is another temple worth visiting. It
houses Lord Buddha relics brought from Chiang Mai. and manuscripts
discovered in Tham Phra Daeng recounting the history of relations
between Myanmar and the Lanna Kingdom.
Karen Village PhaMaLo (บ้านกะเหรี่ยงพะมะลอ) Located about
3 kms. from Mae Sa Riang market the villagers have a very interesting
way-of-life with handicrafts for visitors.
The Tribal Development & Assistance Centre-Doi Mae Ho
(ศูนย์พัฒนาและสงเคราะห์ชาวเขาดอยแม่เหาะ) at Km. 84 is administered by the Public Welfare Department. Most of the hilltribe people in this centre are of Karen ancestry. The scenic area is noted for beautiful wild-sunflower plantation.
Mae Sam Laep (แม่สามแลบ) is a village on Salawin River. Travel some 47 kilometers from Amphoe Mae Sariang via Highway No. 1194. It is a renowned attraction among visitors for the boat trip along the Salawin River. The village is situated within a deep valley facing Myanmar with white sandy beach on some parts of the bank. Visitors can put up their tents in the area of Salawin National Park Office, 30 minuites by boat from Mae Sam Laep to the north. Accommodation is also available in Sop Moei which can be reached by taking a 30 minute-boat-ride from Mae Sam Laep to the south.
Along Highway No. 1095
Tham Pla Forest Park (วนอุทยานถ้ำปลา) where numerous fish live peacefully in streams inside the cave, is located at Km. 17.
Namtok Pha Sua Forest Park (วนอุทยานผาเสื่อ) is located 17 Kms. from town, a laterite road branching off for about 10 kilometers to the park. The 6 level cataract is huge and picturesque. The best time to visit the falls is between early August and late September.
Meo Tribal village (หมู่บ้านแม้ว) is a peaceful tribal village, located about 35 kilometres further up the track to Namtok Pha Sua, near the Thai - Myanma border.
Tham Nam Lot Wildlife and Nature Education station (สถานีศึกษาธรรมชาติและสัตว์ป่าถ้ำน้ำลอด) is 77 kilometres from Mae Hong son town, a laterite road to the left runs a further 9 kilometres. It is a place where antiques and pre-historic remains were found. This huge cave is beautifully decorated with colourful stalagmites and stalactites.
Lisu Tribal Village at Pang Paek (ลีซอปางแปก) is another tribal village worth visiting, located some 30 kilometres before reaching Amphoe Pai.
Wat Nam Hu (วัดน้ำฮู) about 3 kilometers from Pai Market contains a sacred Chiang Saen Buddha image, 24 inches wide at the base and 30 inches high, the image’s topknot can be opened. Inside is holy water revered by local folk.
Namtok Mo Paeng (น้ำตกหม้อแปง) Located from Anphoe Pai about 9 kms., and can be reached conveniently by car. The surrounding area is shady and beautiful. Nearby is a peaceful Muser tribe village.
Muang Paeng Hot Spring (น้ำพุร้อนเมืองแปง) Located from Amphoe Pai about 35 kms., along highway no. 1095 and 1265. Water temperature is around 90 °C.
Huai Nam Dang National Park (อุทยานแห่งชาติห้วยน้ำดัง) covers the areas in Amphoe Mae Taeng, Chiang Mai and Amphoe Pai, Mae Hong Son. It is located at Km. 66 on Highway 1095 and with a left turn for about 6 kms. If commands a breathtaking view of sea of mist, flower beds and Lisu tribal people.
Rafting Along Pai River
With its approximately lenght of 180 kms., 30 m. width and 7 m. depth, the Pai River is the biggest and longest river in Mae Hong Son. This challenges the adventure lovers to raft along this river. Three most suitable points are recommended. They are:
Source of the River to Amphoe Pai: Starting from Huai Chang Kaeo, 16 kms. from Amphoe Pai to Wiang Nua Bridge or Ban Chomphon near Amphoe Pai, taking about 6 hours.
From Amphoe Pai to Amphoe Muang: Starting from Ban Mo Paeng, 30 kms. from Amphoe Pai to Ban Pang Mu in Amphoe Muang. The distance of this route is about 70 kms. and takes at least 5 days of rafting, and due to much difference in water level at one point of the Pai River along this route, therefore, two rafts setting are required to change at this mentioned point. More information of rafting along this route can be obtained from official at Pai District Office.
From Amphoe Muang to Thai - Myanma Border: Stalling from Ban Huai Dua, Tambon Pha Bong, about 6 kms. from Amphoe Muang, to the border at Ban Nam Phiang Din. Normally this section of the Pai River is more enjoyable to cruise along by long - tailed motor boat which only takes 2-3 hours returned trip of trekking on elephant back instead of rafting since the nature and scenery both side is fascinating and beautiful.
Most suitable time to raft is between October and March, and 2 weeks prior contact for the raft is recommended. Contact for rafting, boat cruise, accommodation and trekking through Mae Hong Son Resort, Tel. (053) 611406, or Rim Nam Klang Doi Resort, Tel. (053) 612142 or travel agents in Mae Hong Son.
Poi Sang Long Precession (งานประเพณีปอยส่างลอง) This is the celebration of novice ordination which the Thai Yai tribe people hold to be a highly meritorous occasion. Offerings for monks are carried through the town in a gala procession. It is usually held during March and May before the Buddhist Rain Retreat period.