Mae Hong Son

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

 

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 Sham 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's 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.

http://www.pattayatalk.com/forums/topic/64434-pai/

Edited March 10, 2017 by RhinoTusk

[Bullfrog 2,224]

Excllent photos!!

 

One for your diary...There is a road being built from Loikaw in Myanmar accross to MHS.....Now THAT will be a beautiful drive through the mountains..

 

Some of your pics could well have been of Loikaw as they seem identical...and the Burmese food is easy to spot as it has a quarter inch of oil around the outside.....

[Dungheap 243]

Thanks Rhino.

 

Your pic report brings back a lot of fond memories from about 30 years ago. We also flew up from Chang Mai and stayed at a basic guest house and then some nearby bungalows in the jungle.

[biggles 509]

Lovely photos mate, thanks for posting.

[izzyg 37]

Very nice report!

[Bob Belzy 150]

Smoke haze starting already?

[Bazle 1,486]

Great report, Rhino. TFP.

 

I'll try to get there if I'm up in that area.

[midlifecrisis 4,048]

I liked the second plane. Made me want to grow wings.

 

Great photos!

[cbrib 354]

Thanks for the great report and pics. I have been meaning to go up there and check it out, will do sooner than later

[nkped 1,208]

Went to Mae Hong Son at the beginning of the beginning of the month. Just a few things to add which may benefit some. We stayed at the Imperial Mae Hong Son. It is a pleasant hotel in a picturesque setting. It is 2 or 3 km from the center of town. I had anticipated that tuk tuks or taxi would be readily available. Not so. There are a few elderly tuk tuks, vehicles and drivers, in town, but you don't see them very often. We did take one from the airport to the hotel. The GFE provider arranged for the hotel van to take us downtown in the evening to see the lake and nearby sights and to eat and came to get us when called. That was 120 baht.

 

We rented a relatively late model Toyota Hilux for 24 hours to make the rounds the next day. That was 1,600 baht and the man delivered it to the hotel. With both of us running Google maps, we found our way to the sights without getting lost.

 

We did go to Ban Rak Thai, (not my photo) a village, that was about 40 km road miles away and perhaps 10 km as the crow flies to buy tea. Or at least that was the main point that I observed. It was at 500+ meters in elevation which is a good deal higher than Mae Hong Son. I was well and truly puckered by the time we got there. Did I mention that the GF is a good driver.

 

Edited April 12, 2017 by nkped

[teelack 9,640]

Thanks for the great TR. I may never get there but your excellent photography got me a bit nearer

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

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

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

Long prison sentences for corrupt cops in the Mae Hong Song underage prostitution scandal.

 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30343420

[Bob Belzy 150]

Long prison sentences for corrupt cops in the Mae Hong Song underage prostitution scandal.

 

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30343420

Can't blame that one on 'sex tourists'.

[RhinoTusk 4,901]

Here's touring MHS province via motorcycle