Mae Hong Son Travel Guide

  HILL TRIBE IN THE VICINITY
by davidjo
 
  • HILL TRIBE IN THE VICINITY
      HILL TRIBE IN THE VICINITY
    by davidjo
  • HUGE CAVE
      HUGE CAVE
    by davidjo
  • COFFIN SITE IN CAVE
      COFFIN SITE IN CAVE
    by davidjo
  • 4km long river cave
      4km long river cave
    by davidjo
  • CAVE ENTRANCDE
      CAVE ENTRANCDE
    by davidjo
 

Pro

SumTingWong profile photo

  Best trekking in Thailand, visit different minority hilltribes 


Con

samtan1 profile photo

  Narrow and windy roads. 


In a nutshell

roadcyclist profile photo

  Loved it! Wish we had planned a longer stay. 

 

Explore Mae Hong Son

Things to Do  

Ban Rak Thai / Mae Aw - Old Chinese Village

Ban Rak Thai / Mae Aw - Old Chinese Village, Mae Hong Son

 north_thailander Says:  A 10 minute drive from Ban Ruam Thai takes you to the Chinese villlage of Mae Aw where historically the Kuomintang fled from Communist rule in China in the 1950s. Most of Mae Aw's inhabitants are descendents of Kuomintang soldiers and until today you can see the remnants of... 

Sunset at Wat Doi Gong Mu

Sunset at Wat Doi Gong Mu, Mae Hong Son

 north_thailander Says:  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... 

Traditional Shan Village

Traditional Shan Village, Mae Hong Son

 north_thailander Says:  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... 

Early Morning Market and Monks Alms

Early Morning Market and Monks Alms, Mae Hong Son

 north_thailander Says:  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... 

Ban Ruam Thai - The Switzerland of Thailand

Ban Ruam Thai - The Switzerland of Thailand, Mae Hong Son

 north_thailander Says:  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... 

Sun flower fields

Sun flower fields, Mae Hong Son

 iammon Says:  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... 

Hangout under the Bridge over river Pai

Hangout under the Bridge over river Pai, Mae Hong Son

 orj78 Says:  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... 

Village Pillars

Village Pillars, Mae Hong Son

 Pat_Bangkok Says:  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... 

Ancient house

Ancient house, Mae Hong Son

 Pat_Bangkok Says:  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... 

Funny to hitchhike

Funny to hitchhike, Mae Hong Son

 Pat_Bangkok Says:  On some place where you can not find the public transport, Hitchhike is the best way !The tips for hitchhike in Thailand is asking only "Pick-up car" You will be in the first class, open air seat :) The people in Maehongsorn are nice, no danger.They willing to pick up Farang... 

Wat Pratat Doi Kong Mu

Wat Pratat Doi Kong Mu, Mae Hong Son

 Pat_Bangkok Says:  The temple , myanmar style on the top of Kong Mu Mountain.There are 2 stupa by 2 Ruler, one is "JongTongsue" in year 1860 and the other is " Paya Singhanat Raja" in year 1874. You will see Maehongson city panorama on the top of the mountain. 

Home stay at Ban Huow Mae Surin

Home stay at Ban Huow Mae Surin, Mae Hong Son

 Pat_Bangkok Says:  On the way to Buotong Flowers and Mae Surin Waterfall at Doi Mae U-kor you can staying with Karen hilltribe people. They offer room 50 baht only , you can choose to staying in private room, private house or stay with the Karen Family. You might like or dislike the foods then... 

Hotels  

Cave Lodge

 1 Review and 25 Opinions  Back in the early 90's John was angry because his lodge was mentioned in the Lonely Planet Thailand... 

Belle Villa Resort Pai

 1 Review and 17 Opinions  Even on your first visit, you feel like you've come home. Back to the nature and life's simple... 

Transportation  

Hire a car & driver to Mae Hong Son

Hire a car & driver to Mae Hong Son, Mae Hong Son

 north_thailander Says:  If you don’t want to be restricted by bus times, and want the freedom to explore off the bus route then another option is to hire a car and driver. Rental prices range from 1,500-2,000bt/day. A driver can be added on for an extra 400-500 hundred baht/day, good for those not... 

Motorbike Best Way to Tour Mae Hong Son

Motorbike Best Way to Tour Mae Hong Son, Mae Hong Son

 orj78 Says:  most people in mae hong son travel around with a motorbike. for 80baht, you can already have a full tank of petrol. i tried the route from MHS to Mae Aw (Ban Rak Thai). It's almost 30+ kilometers of scenic views and exciting turns. I only spent 3/4 on a full tank, even when... 

From Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son

From Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son, Mae Hong Son

 orj78 Says:  updated as of April 18, 2008Aircon Orange Van from Chiang Mai to MHS. Fare is 250 baht. Travel time is about 5 hours, through scenic Highway 1095. I took a 6:45am van in Chiang Mai and arrived in MHS around 12noon. The van's first stop was in Mae Sa, then Pai. 

Bus from Mae Hong Son to Bangkok

Bus from Mae Hong Son to Bangkok, Mae Hong Son

 orj78 Says:  *updated as of May 6, 2008If you're up for a 16 hour bus ride, then take the direct bus from MHS to Bangkok. Tickets can be purchased from the New Bus Terminal (not the old terminal next to the airport runway). Sombat Tour offers three airconditioned bus trips: 1pm, 2pm, and... 

Local Customs  

Do's & Don'ts when visiting hilltribe villages

Do's & Don'ts when visiting hilltribe villages, Mae Hong Son

 north_thailander Says:  As a tourist one of the key attractions in Northern Thailand are the hill tribes. Their old ways of life and culture inspire curiosity and wonderment in many.With such demand to see the hill tribes, visits to hill tribe villages and hill tribe treks have become a money... 

Warnings Or Dangers  

Stay warm and free of mosquito

Stay warm and free of mosquito, Mae Hong Son

 Somikan Says:  It could be very cold at night, so you should bring, besides sleeping bag, blanket and thick cloth. It's also wise to put on long pants, long sleeve shirt, and long sock to stay warm and protect yourself from bedbug. Plus, don't forget to put on a lotion that can protect you... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Non- tourist Hilltribe Villages with homestay

Non- tourist Hilltribe Villages with homestay, Mae Hong Son

 north_thailander Says:  Stay with a hilltribe family in their traditional stilt house in a village nestled in the mountains of Mae Hong Son province. An extremely idyllic location with sweeping landscape views of the mountains, a perfect setting for cultural immersion into hilltribe culture and way... 

CAVING AT SOPPONG

CAVING AT SOPPONG, Mae Hong Son

 davidjo Says:  Halfway between Pai and Mae Hong Song you will find the village of Soppong where you can get off the bus and go to Cave Lodge, which is 5 kms away. This place has been run by Aussie John for over 20 years and the attraction here is caving, as it is surrounded by limestone... 

 
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The Place

Plan a Mae Hong Son vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Mae Hong Son locals

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The People

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 At Tam Lod, there's an archaeological dig site where skeletal remains of human existence were found. Archaeologist were continuing their work at the site to... 

2 members live in Mae Hong Son

 

Questions and Answers

xaver profile photo

Q:  I am reading in this and some other forums that there are thai air flights from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son but then I cannot find... 

davidjo profile photo

A: I know NOKAIR FLIES FROM C.M. and i am pretty sure KANAIR also makes the same trip 

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