Mae Hong Son

[Piece Corp]

 

The "city of three mists" in the northwest corner of Thailand, capital of the province. Remote and mountainous, nestled in a narrow valley just a few kilometers from the border with Myanmar.  About 260 km from Chiang Mai, 5.5 hours by minibus because of the 1,864 curves in the road.  Pai lies about halfway and draws most of the tourists, making Mae Hong Son an excellent destination to escape the hordes.  Temperatures ranged from an afternoon high of 37 to an evening low of 15.

ARRIVAL

I didn't care to spend 5.5 hours (each way) on a minibus, so I took the Bangkok Air prop plane from Chiang Mai, a 30 minute flight.  Fares will remain competitive as long as more than one airline services the airport.

Alternately, Kan Air uses the more modern jet aircraft

Stayed at the Panarama hotel, centrally located, 600 baht during high season, clean but basic.  The elderly woman that runs it is very friendly and helpful.

Wat Jong Kham

Situated on the lake in the middle of town.  

A helicopter dropped some para-gliders

Street vendors appear at sunset as folks gather to picnic or for a leisurely stroll around the lake.

Tried a few restaurants on the lake.  Sunflower was just OK but the Salween River restaurant, near the police station, was better. 

Featuring Shan and Burmese food, as well as Thai, I ordered this chicken casserole, portion was more than I could finish, for 70 baht.

Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu

Towering over the valley, the twin stupas aren't that impressive but do offer some nice views.

You can ring the bell without having to buy everyone a round.

Su Tong Pae, The Bamboo Bridge

About 12 kilometers north of town, a lovely 900 meter bamboo bridge spanning rice paddies, connecting the village of Ban Kung Mai Sak with temple Wat Pu Sama.

There are actually two bridges, one for just crossing the river

This couple caught out in the sun too long

Some other interesting characters about

Nightlife

The Crossroads biker bar stays open "late" (i.e. midnight).  At the town's busiest intersection, by 11 PM there's vehicle every 3-4 minutes.  Two hot young farang women were leaving just as I was arriving, noticed them earlier by the lake, slamming down large bottles of Chang.  I took a seat at the open air bar and ordered a drink just as one of the girls dropped her pants, squatted, and took a pee in the street.  It's not that there wasn't a woman's toilet in the bar, but maybe it was out of order?

Next Up: Pai

Minibus leaves at noon, 150 baht either to Pai (106 km) or Chiang Mai (260 km). 

See my Pai picture report here

 

[Jack Frost]

Great report & pics.

 

Superb pics.

 

A trip I would do if I had the time or lived in Thailand.

 

These type of trips taking pics is always fun & a education.

 

Thanks for this thread.

 

Jack.

[Piece Corp]

6 hours ago, Jack Frost said:

Great report & pics.

 

Superb pics.

 

A trip I would do if I had the time or lived in Thailand.

 

These type of trips taking pics is always fun & a education.

 

Thanks for this thread.

 

Jack.

Mae Hong Song has a nice vibe, is a great laid back place to relax for a few days, but no mongering

[Guest]

Great report, I was there last winter on a Chang Mai northern tour. Rented a motorbike from pai and took the drive.

it was very nice, took my time as many many corners. Beautiful mountain views and lookouts.

[Piece Corp]

I didn't think there was any mongering in MHS, but this sex scandal is currently shocking the community.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30314371

 

[Dr.Winston]

I was last there in January but I'ved ridden Motorbikes from Chiang Mai via Pai and back quite a few times, spectacular ride.

 

Can't wait to see your Pai pictures as that's one of those 'unique' places in Thailand with it's own feel to it like Doi Mae Salong.

 

[claptrap]

I was there a couple of years back and found a small bar on the north east side of town with about 10 girls.  I think it was called balloon or something like that.  My friend and I were the only customers all night.  A very nice area to spend a few days.

[tonyacat]

Beautiful city, nice trip

Great report, and thanks

[Sam Sallung]

Unfortunately all the photos of Piece Corp have disapear,

but by chance I shot some photos in Mae Hong Son downtown and its province , so...

January 2015 - Lumix FZ200

Don't know if it's every evening it's a night market along the little lake and in the closes streets

Along the little lake which is inside the town

 

Night shots - november 2014 - Olympus TG 610

[Sam Sallung]

January 2015 - Lumix FZ200

Mae_Hong_Son_Wat_Phra That Doi Kong Mu

 

In the main street of Mae Hong Son - Titan MTBikes shop

November 2014 - Olympus TG610 - MTBikes : 20 baht/h or 100 baht/day ; now in 2018  maybe a little bit more.

[Sam Sallung]

About 20 km in the north of Mae Hong Son, the little village of Ban Nai Soi where are living some Karen refugees

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nai_Soi

Going to Nai Soi is easy, but to the village where the Karen are living is not ;

it's like the bed of a drying torrent; with my pickup I need about 20 minutes to do 3 kms,

here the best rd, it's sand when arriving at the village

january/february 2012 - Olympus TG 610

The entrance of the village in 2012; now the door is gone..

[Sam Sallung]

A catholic church, today in 2018 is gone ; it remains the cross behind

[Sam Sallung]

37 km to the north of Mae Hong Son , the little chinese village of Ban Rak Thai, at the end of road 5001 on a thai map but 4001 on the road mark

https://wikitravel.org/en/Ban_Rak_Thai

March 2014 - Olympus TG 610

february 2012 - Olympus TG 610

Tea...tea ...and tea