Mae Ngao River is a good water route for shooting the rapids. Adventure travel tourists can enjoy the unspoiled scenery along the river banks. Services available from tour operators in Mae Hong Son.

         At Km. 65 on the Pai-Mae Malai route (No.1095), there is a turning leading to the headquarters of the Huai Nam Dang National Park . Visitors can spend the night in tents to wait for the spectacular views of sunrise and mist-shrouded mountain views in the morning. Cherry blossom during January adds charms to the attraction.

         The Tha Pai Hot Spring , two kilometres off Route 1095 at Km. Marker 87, has an average temperature of 80 celcius. Steam from the spring permeates the site in the morning creating fascinating sights. The area is also rich in teakwoods and suitable for overnight camping.

         Rafting along the Mae Pai is an exciting and delightful recreation. Mae Pai itself is the longest river of Mae Hong Son originating from mountain ranges in Laos which flows through Pai district of the province and eventually joins the Salween river in Myanmar, a total distance of 180 kilometres. With an average depth of some 7 metres, the river bed is mainly pebbled. There are several sectors eminently suitable for rafting past rapids and natural sceneries including beautiful waterfalls. Tour operators in Mae Hong Son town or in Pai district can provide the necessary service, some also able to provide elephant rides. The best time for rafting is from October to March.

         The Dok Bua Tong (may be classified as wild sunflowers) on Doi Mae U-koh blooms during November painting the entire Khun Yuam district in brilliant yellow drawing flocks of visitors to the area. A camping site is located about 26 kilometers from the district town on Highway No. 1263. A little further on is a huge waterfall, the Mae Surin , cascading one hundred meters down below. Here camping can also be set up.

         The Khun Yuam Indigenous Cultural Center, located at Km. 200 on Highway No. 108, has a considerable collection of Thai Yai and other hilltribes handicrafted products. It also displays military accessories and equipment of the Japanese army which entered Khun Yuam district during World War II.

         Wat To Phae is located 7 kilometres from Khun Yuam having a large beautiful Burmese style Vihara. According to the legend, it is said that raft assembling people used to gather up in this area prior to making a teak trees raft trip to the marketing places.

         Covering an area of 721 square kilometers, the Salween National Park , is on the bank of the Salween river on the Thai-Burmese border, about 164 kilometres south of Mae Hong Son. Transport can be hired to travel go Mae Sam Laep village (46 kilometers) and proceed on hired boat to reach the park headquarters. Sceneries along the Salween banks are captivating with forest and mountains and dotted with small hamlets. On the sandy beach in front of the Headquarter camping is permitted.

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         Poi Sang Long Procession is in fact the celebration of novice ordination which the Thai Yai tribe people hold to be a highly meritorious occasion. Traditionally, the candidate-novice, his head cleanly shaven and wrapped with head-cloth in the Burmese style, will don a prince-like garment and put on valuable jewels and gems, and ride a horse or be carried over the shoulders of a man to the city shrine. On the ordination eve, a procession of offerings and other necessary personal belongings will be paraded through the town streets and then placed at the monastery where the ordination will take place the next day. It is usually held during March-May before the Buddhist Rain Retreat period.

         Chong Phara Procession The Chong Phara in the Thai Yai dialect means a castle made of wood, covered with colourful perforated papers and decorated with fruits, flags and lamps. It is placed in the courtyard of a house or a monastery as a gesture to welcome the Lord Buddha on his return from giving sermons to his mother in heaven, according to traditional belief. Other activities to celebrate the occasion include dances where performers are dressed in animal costumes. The rite is held during the post rain retreat season from the full-moon day of the 11 the Lunar month (around October) to the waxing moon night of the same month.

Poi Sang Long Procession

Chong Phara Procession

Bua Tong Blossom

         Bua Tong Blossom Festival Each year in November, the hillsides of Khun Yuam and Mae Sariang districts are filled with a host of golden Bua Tong Blooms. As gay as a daisy and almost as large as a sunflower, the Bua Tong only blossoms for a month.

         At Doi Mae U-Kho, the blossoms appear profusely. Finally, the golden blooms become part of the scene. Some specialists have classified these Bua Tong as weeds and because of this, they may be cleared to make way for cash crops. Fortunately a group of researchers have discovered the flower’s insect-repellent properties. And perhaps that is why the Bua Tong, a symbol of Mae Hong Son, is still preserved on the hillsides.

         Loi Krathong Festival Loi Krathong Festival is held on the full moon night in the month of November every year. Villagers make “krathongs” to float in rivers. At Nong Chong Kham, various entertainments and a contest of large krathongs are held near the central pond. Lamps and candles are lit all around the area. Moreover, at Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, there is a ceremony of releasing candle-lit krathongs bound with balloons to the sky (known as “Loi Krathong Sawan”).

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Bus

FROM BANGKOK

         Mae Hong Son is located 924 kilometres from Bangkok. Muang Nua Tour (Tel: (01-4416871) operates an airconditioned bus which runs directly from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son. The bus departs from Mochit II Bus Terminal at 18.00 hours every day. The trip takes about 17 hours.

         To book air ticket from Bangkok to Mae Hong Son, Please contact Pam
Tel: (66-2) 677-6240 to 4 (5 lines) Fax: (66-2) 677-6246 to 7 (2 lines)

FROM CHIANG MAI

         Mae Hong Son can be reached from Chiang Mai either by Highway No. 108 via Mae Sariang, or Highway No. 1095 via Pai which shortens the distance to some 274 kilometres. Regular buses are operated by Prem Pracha Transport, Tel: (053) 244737, 242767.

         Buses depart from Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station daily to Mae Hong Son by two different routes:-

1. Southern route Buses leave frequently from Chaing Mai to Mae Hong Son via Hot, Mae Sariang, and Khun Yuam districts from 6.30-21.00 hours. The journey takes 8 hours.
2. Northern route Buses leave frequently from Chaing Mai to Mae Hong Son via Pai district from 07.00-12.30 hours. The journey take 6 hours.

         There are 4 daily flights from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son. Tourists are advised to book tickets at least 2 days before departure.

Car

         From Bangkok, take Highway No. 32 to Nakhon Sawan via Ayutthaya, Ang Thong and Sing Buri and then proceed along Highway No. 1 to Kamphaeng Phet, a total distance of 358 kilometres.

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