|
Mae Hong Son is a provincial capital (population about 7000) in north-western corner of the Kingdom, near the border with Myanmar. Visitors will notice a strong Burmese influence. The city has been a place known for power struggles between various Tai (Shan) and Burmese kingdoms over the years.
The city is best visited between November and March when the town is at its most beautiful. Mae Hong Son is sheltered by several mountains, keeping it cooler during the summer months and allowing the temperature to drop to only 2ºC during January. The mountains have long been home to various migrant hilltribes.
The region's many natural attractions have brought increasing numbers of visitors over the recent years. It is very popular with independent travelers. There are more than 20 guesthouses.
Mae Hong Son is a great place for daytrips in the region and provides great opportunities for adventures; on its twisting roads, sweeping rivers and in the mountainous forested region, passing through villages with Burmese/Shan style temples. Waterfalls, not only pleasing to the eye, but also fill small pools which are a perfect treat at the end of long treks through the forests. The region is also well known for its multitude of caves: archaeologists have discovered some 67 in the province, many still containing prehistoric relics. The 400m long cave at Tham Lod, about 80km to the northwest of Mae Hong Son, near Soppong , is just one of these fine caves.
View over the Mae Hong Son lake
How to get there
By plane
Nonstop 30 minute flights from Chiang Mai are available from Thai Airways, Nok Air, and SGA.
By road
There are two road options from Chiang Mai, both taking 5-6 hours by car. Route 1095 via Pai (280 km) is the more scenic drive, while route 108 via Mae Sariang (350 km) is an easier drive.
Mae Hong Son is located 924 kilometers from Bangkok. Drive from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and then choose the following routes to Mae Hong Son: Chiang Mai, Hot, Mae Sariang, Khun Yuam, Mae Hong Son (Route 108) with 1864 curves, a distance of 349 kilometers. Chiang Mai, Mae Malai, Pai, Mae Hong Son (Route 1095), a distance of 245 kilometers.
By bus
Regular bus services connect Mae Hong Son with Chiang Mai (Arcade bus terminal) and the entire trip will take at least 7-8 hours. A better option is the minibus, also leaving from Arcade in Chiang Mai, which only take 5.5 hours but cost 250 baht. If you're going by bus, you can choose the northern (Pai) or southern (Mae Sariang) route. The northern route is a little faster. The new bus station is about a 15 minute walk from the center of town to the southwest. The bus station is set on a seemingly deserted street that runs parallel to the main road in town.
There is also an overnight bus to Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Moh Chit) which takes about 16-17 hours.
Sombat Tour, operates an air-conditioned bus which runs directly from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son every day. The bus departs from Chatuchak (Mochit 2) Bus Terminal at 8:30 p.m and arrives in Mae Hong Son at 10:30 a.m (14 hours) with a fare of 718 baht.
By train
The nearest train station is at Chiang Mai.
One can travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai by rail and then continue to Mae Hong Son by bus. For more information, call 1699, 0 2223 7010, 0 2223 7020 or visit
Get around
This is a small town so walking is the way to get around. There are bicycles for rent from Titan Internet shop (across from the 7-11 and post office). To do anything in the surrounding areas a motorbike (at least a bicycle) is needed.
The new bus station seems like it is in the middle of nowhere and the tuk-tuk and motorbike taxi guys love that. However really it's only a 10-15 minute walk to the center of town. You should just turn left out of the bus station and walk straight until you hit the golden statue. Walking up next to the statue, the station is just a bit further towards the city center.
What to See
Walk around the picturesque lake and visit the surrounding wats. Wat Phra That Soi Kong Mu (aka Wat Phai Doi) overlooks the town from the west and offers superb views. Tourism Authority of Thailand
What to Do
Trekking - one of the main reasons for tourist to go to Mae Hong Son is to go trekking in the surrounding mountains and visiting hilltribe villages. Nearly every guest house offers tours. There are also many other tours on offer.
Thampla - Phasua Waterfall National Park - : This national park is in Mae Hong Son province, covering more than 488 km' of the "Thanon Thongchai" range that separates Thailand from Burma. The "Doy-Larn" is the highest plane in the area, with its altitude of about 1,918 meters above the sea water level. Points of Interests...
Fish Cave (Thumpla) - near the village of Huay Pha, about 17 km from Mae Hong Son (Highway 1095), this is a beautiful spot to escape the heat. A water channel that leads its way out of a amall submerged cave. What is inside the cave is still unknown to us, but it astoundingly draws thousands of the "Pluang-Hin" fish into the cave, with only a small number of them coming backs out.
Pha Sua waterfall - 26 km from Mae Hong Son on the road to Pai, this waterfall consists of six levels and offers some fine walks. This waterfall is about 20 meters high and 30 meters wide. It is said to be the most beautiful waterfall in Mae Hong Son province. On rainy season, the plentiful water makes the waterfall looks like a rolling mat.
What to Buy
There is an interesting night market at the lake where you can buy art and handcrafts from hilltribe people.
Where to Eat
Many restaurants are along the main road and the night market where there are also many food-stalls.
Salween River Restaurant, near the traffic light- from the 7-11 go to the light and turn left, it's about 40 meters up on the right, 053 612 050. Great food, people and atmosphere. Nan, the Shan owner, can cook up some amazing Shan/Thai/Western dishes. Try the Khao Soi, burmese green tea salad, guy oup, or the green curry. Also good is the bread, pizza, and burgers. They have cable (CNN, BBC, Premier League games) and wireless Internet.
JiJi Restaurant, a larger restaurant just 30m from the gates of the city airport is the best value for your budget money when you want to order vegetarian western food. Of course the owner Lek is also fantastic about cooking Thai food. Usually closed on Sunday.
Mae Hong Son has a broad range of guest houses, mainly located around the lake. There are several hotels within the city. If you've got your own transport there are several more resorts farther out of town. Take a look before checking in because there are always changes.
Rooks Holiday Hotel & Resort, Mae Hong Son
114/5-7 Khunlumprapas Rd., Jongkam district,
Mueang Mae Hong Son, Mae Hong Son 58000 Thailand
Tel: 0 2277 5256, 0 2692 0031
Fax: 0 2692 0094
Email: rooksgroup@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.maehongsonholiday.com
Accommodation : 184 rooms
Room Rates : 1,950 - 9,000 THB
Sawasdee Place, Mae Hong Son
29 Moo 8, Pang Mu district,
Mueang Mae Hong Son, Mae Hong Son 58000 Thailand
Tel: 0 2277 5256, 0 2692 0031
Fax: 0 2692 0094
Email: rooksgroup@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.sawasdeemaehongson.com
Accommodation : 46 rooms
Room Rates : 855 - 1,700 THB
Namtok Mae Surin National Park
Namtok Mae Surin National Park Moo 1, Tumbon Pang Mu, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 0 5306 1073, 0 2562 0760
Website : http://www.dnp.go.th
Email : reserve@dnp.go.th
Price Rates : 800 - 2,000 THB
Number of Rooms : 10 rooms
Baan Kieng Doi Resort
30/1 Moo 10, Tumbon Pha Bong, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel:08 9997 2712, 0 5368 6065
Price Rates : 500 - 4,000 THB
Number of Rooms : 18 rooms
Baiyoke Chalet Hotel
90 Khumlumpraphat Rd., Tumbon Jongkam, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 0 5361 3132-9
Email : trv1864@hotmail.com
Price Rates : 700 - 1,600 THB
Number of Rooms : 38 rooms Unit
Ban Kaew Resort
14/1 Panglonikom Soi4 Rd., Tumbon Jongkam, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 0 5361 3007, 08 1456 5189, 08 1472 2189
Email : bankaew@yahoo.com
Price Rates : 300 - 1,000 THB
Number of Rooms : 22 rooms
Ing Doi Resort
109/1 Moo 8, Tumbon Pang Mu, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 0 5361 2074, 08 6188 7649
Price Rates : 400 - 450 THB
Number of Rooms : 12 rooms
Lek Guest House
196 Moo 8, Tumbon Pang Mu, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 08 1603 6013
Price Rates : 400 - 800 THB
Number of Rooms : 6 rooms
Lin Fa Camping
134 Moo 3, Tumbon Pang Mu, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 0 5361 2811, 0 5361 2296, 08 3152 8853
Price Rates : 200 - 3,000 THB
Number of Rooms : 8 rooms
Mae Hong Son Hotel
19 Soi 2 Khunlum Prapat Rd., Tumbon Jongkam, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 0 5361 2023, 08 4370 1289
Website : http://www.hongsonhotel.com
Email : bangorn2918@hotmail.com
Price Rates : 350 - 1,000 THB
Number of Rooms : 8 rooms
Mae Hong Son Resort
24 Moo 3 Ban Huay Dua, Tumbon Pha Bong, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 0 5368 4138
Price Rates : 600 - 2,500 THB
Number of Rooms : 15 rooms
Methee Hotel
55 Khunlumpraphat Rd., Tumbon Jongkam, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 0 5361 2141, 0 5361 2121
Price Rates : 150 - 450 THB
Number of Rooms : 38 rooms
Monsaimok Resort
21/2 Moo 11, Tumbon Pang Mu, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 08 4611 4756, 0 5361 1799
Website : http://www.monsaimok.com
Price Rates : 400 - 1,800 THB
Number of Rooms : 24 rooms
Nong Boat Guesthouse
107/1 Moo 5, Tumbon Pha Bong, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 0 5362 0560
Price Rates : 400 - 1,200 THB
Number of Rooms : 9 rooms
Pana Huts
293/9 Moo 11 Ban Pang Moo, Tumbon Pang Mu, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 0 5361 4331, 08 6772 8502
Website : http://www.panahuts.com
Email : spangbunshu@yahoo.com
Price Rates : 600 - 750 THB
Number of Rooms : 5 rooms
Panorama Hotel
51 Khunlumpraphat Rd., Tumbon Jongkam, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 0 5361 1757-62
Website : http://www.panorama.8m.com
Email : panhostel@yahoo.com, panorama@panhostel.com
Price Rates : 300 - 800 THB
Number of Rooms : 45 rooms
Piya Guest House
1/1 Soi 3 Khunlumpraphat Rd., Tumbon Jongkam, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 0 5361 1260
Price Rates : 600 - 600 THB
Number of Rooms : 14 rooms
Rimnamklangdoi Resort
108 Moo 3 Ban Huai Duea, Tumbon Pha Bong, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 08 7979 7922, 0 5368 4142
Price Rates : 200 - 1,200 THB
Number of Rooms : 29 rooms Unit
Rom Thai House Hotel
22 Thammasathit Rd., Tumbon Jongkam, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 0 5361 2437
Price Rates : 250 - 800 THB
Number of Rooms : 30 rooms
Sang Tong Huts
250 Moo 11, Tumbon Pang Mu, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 0 5362 0680, 08 0678 5850
Website : http://www.sangtonghuts.com
Email : sangtonghuts@hotmail.com
Price Rates : 550 - 1,700 THB
Number of Rooms : 8 rooms
Siam Hotel
23 Khunlumpraphat Rd., Tumbon Jongkam, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 0 5361 2148, 0 5361 2148
Price Rates : 370 - 570 THB
Number of Rooms : 17 rooms
The Dai Resort
158 Moo Ban Thung Kong Moo, Tumbon Pang Mu, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 0 5361 3964, 08 1610 6816
Website : http://www.the-dai.com
Price Rates : 700 - 2,500 THB
Number of Rooms : 11 rooms
The Imperial Tara Mae Hong Son Hotel
149 Moo 8, Tumbon Pang Mu, Amphoe Mueang Mae Hong Son, Changwat Mae Hong Son 58000
Tel: 0 5368 4444-9
Website : http://www.imperialhotels.com
Email : taramaehongson@imperialhotels.com
Price Rates : 2,236 - 5,826 THB
Number of Rooms : 104 rooms Unit
Nearby Tourist Attractions : Long-necked Karen Village, Hot Spring, Buatong Fields, Fish Cave
Location: Latitude=18.84, Longitude=97.951
|
North Thailand 
