Mae Hong Son Things to Do

As with many hilltop temples in Thailand, I think the best time to visit Wat Doi Gong Mu is at sunset. At Wat Doi Gong Mu there is a great view next to the little coffee shop with a terrace there where you can look out over the mountain range landscape and see thesunset behind the mountains. The temperature is also much cooler than the heat of the afternoon, and there are always less tourists/Thais about at this time of day, so is a perfect setting for a peaceful sunset.

Visit the traditional Shan Village of 'Ban Phang Mu' just a few minutes drive out of Mae Hong Son town. Walking around this village you will really get a feel for what a traditional village is like, there is a certain 'timelessness' to it. This is also an OTOP (one tambon one product) village, OTOP is scheme by the Thai government to help local villages produce and sell their products. Ban Phang Mu is famous for producing sesame, you can visit a family run sesame factory here where they still use old techniques to process sesame. They still use a buffalo to grind the sesame, and they will even let you try riding their buffalo for a small tip :)

If you can brave waking up at 5am then a visit to the early morning market is highly recommended. This is a great insight into how the locals live, its a colourful and vibrant affair where you can try all kinds of local produce and pick up a local breakfast. Also, at this time you will see the brightly coloured oranged robed monks walking the streets on ther daily alms, and observe locals making offerings to them.

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30km from Mae Hong Son town is the picturesque village of 'Ban Ruam Thai' sometimes called the 'Switzerland of Thailand' because of its charming panoramic views of the lakes and mountains. Here you can stay at Ban Ruam Thai Guesthouse run by Mr Pala a former Karen army officer. The guesthouse has a cute and cosy feel to it, stay in your own bamboo hut and visit Mr Pala's garden where he grows and produces his own coffee. It is in a very rural location so there is no running electricity but plenty of candlelight, delicious home cooked Thai and Shan food and beautiful views. The winter months provide a romantic feel when the lake is smothered in an early morning fog and mist a surprising discovery which visitors do not expect to find in tropical Thailand. During warmer months you can also camp by the lake.

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One of the main reasons you should visit the area in November/December are the wild sun flower fields that are in blossom at this time. They are not real Sunflowers so do not be disappointed by this fact. It is a much smaller flower (Thais call it Bua Tongs/Mexican Sunflower) more like a big yellow daisy. The fields however are huge and whole hills just look yellow. It seems a very touristic thing to do for Thais. At Amphoe Khun Yuam’s Doi Mae U-kho is a good spot to walk around and enjoy the area.There are a lot of food shacks for lunch as well.

i went there twice to cool off during summer in MHS. There are huts under the bridge (on the water) that spans the Pai river. Huts can be rented for 50baht. There are several stalls along the shore selling beer and BBQ. But it's better to bring along your own beer/drinks/food. Afterwards, take a dip in the sandy and shallow waters of Pai river. It's the best way to spend a hot and lazy Saturday afternoon.

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Karen is the name of ethnic groups which can be found in the north of Thailand.
There are many groups of Karen in Thailand such as Skaw , Pwo, Pa-o, Kayah and Padong.

At "Huaysuetaw village" the same place where you can find Padong or "long neck karen" in Maehongson, you can also see the village pillars of Kayah where they holding ceremony for spiritual. Kayah respect to spirit so each year in April , they have a big ceremony, the chief of village bring pig head, chicken and more food for offering to spirits and also each year they have new pillar, then you know how long the village established by counting the pillars they have.

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This house was builded in year 1886 by Jong U Paka Wang. It is a Burmese Architect Style . It used to host Japanese army during world war II. Now a day it is the place where 4th generation family living and open for public to visit. No entrance fee. Open from 9.00 am - 4.00 pm.