Travel to Thailand

Mae Hong Son

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Mae Hong Son, North, Thailand

Source : http://www.travelthailand.com

Thailand's second northernmost provincial 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. All that is changed now of course, as Thai Airways has frequent flights into Mae Hong Son. A word of caution though. It has been reported in the local press that the national airline is considering discontinuing these flights. This will leave a local carrier to take up the slack.

Mae Hong Son is administratively divided into 6 Amphoes (counties) and 1 King Amphoe( now 7 Amphoes). The province covers an area of 12,681 square kilometres. Mae Hong Son can be reached from Chiang Mai either by Highway No. 108 via Mae Sa Riang, for the distance of 349 kilometres. or Highway No. 1095 via Pai which shortens the distance to some 274 kilometres. As the province is bordered by Myanmar to the North and West, a strong Burmese influence can be seen in the provincial capital's temples and buildings.

Mae Hong Son Attractions:In the cityWat Phralhat Doi Kong Mu 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 Chong Klang and Wat Chong Kham 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.
Wat Hua Wiang contains the image of Phra Chao Pha Ra La Kheng a replica of the one in Myanmar.
Wat Kam Ko 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 Phra Non 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.

Pha Bong Dam about 12 kilometers outside Mae Hong Son, has been constructed across the Mae Ra Mat River for generation electrical power.Pha Bong Hot Spring is located in Tambon Pha Bong about 11 kms. from township area.
Along highway no.108Pha Bong Dam about 12 kilometers outside Mae Hong Son, has been constructed across the Mae Ra Mat River for generation electrical power.Pha Bong Hot Spring is located in Tambon Pha Bong about 11 kms. from township area.
Nam Hu Hai Chai, 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 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 marvelous terraced cataracts. Not too far beyond Ban Nam Phiang Din, within Myanmar territory, lies another frequented tourist destination know as "Pha Hom Nam"Long-Necked Karen (or Pa Dong tribe) is a hill - tribe living deep inside Myanmar border 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. Nam Tok Mae Surin National Park 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 meter 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. Nam Tok Mae U-Kho, 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.Wild-Sunflower Field Doi Mae U - Kho 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.Nong Haeng Hot Spring, 25 kms. from Amphoe Khun Yuam, turn left at KM. 174 for 1 km.
Mae La-up Lawa Village in Tambon Huai Hom, 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 hill tribes here are different from other hill tribes 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 Hom Karen Village is about 4 kilometers from Ban La - up. Its villagers adhere to their religion and have gentle and polite manners. As the hill tribe community development center 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 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.Wat Muai To in Ban Khun Yuam houses a huge and beautiful northern - style pagoda.Wat To Phae is located 7 kms. from Khun Yaum 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.
Karen Village Pha Ma Lo Located about 3 kms. from Mae Sa Riang market the villagers have a very interesting way-of-life with handicrafts for visitors.Mae Sam Laep 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 minutes 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. The Tribal Development & Assistance Center - Doi Mae Ho at Km. 84 is administered by the Public Welfare Department. Most of the hill tribe people in this center are of Karen ancestry. The scenic area is noted for beautiful wild-sunflower plantation.

Along highway no.1095Huai Nam Dang National Park 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.Muang Paeng Hot Spring Located from Amphoe Pai about 35 kma., along highway no. 1095 and 1265. Water temperature is around 90 °C.
Meo Tribal Village is a peaceful tribal village, located about 35 kilometers further up the track to Namtok Pha Sua, near the Thai - Myanmar border.Tham Nam Lot Wildlife and Nature Education Station is 77 kilometers from Mae Hong Son town, a laterite road to the left runs a further 9 kilometers. It is a place where antiques and pre-historic remains were found. This huge cave is beautifully decorated with colorful stalagmites and stalactites.Wat Nam Hu 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.Rafting along Pai river With is approximately length 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-Myanmar Border: Starting 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.Poi Sang long processionThis is the celebration of novice ordination which the Thai Yai tribe people hold to be a highly meritorious 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.