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Mae Hong Son: A Guide for Tourists
There's a valid reason why Mae Hong Son is also known as the 'city of three mists'. The high mountain ranges that surround the region produce cooler air temperature and morning mistiness - no matter which season.
Despite that, or because of it, the province is rich in natural resources and there's no shortage of beautiful forested valleys and colourful swathes of wild flowers and fruit trees.
Facts for Visitors to Mae Hong Son Province
Mae Hong Son is a province in Thailand sitting to the west of the upper northern cities and districts.
In fact, being the westernmost province, its immediate neighbours are:
- Myanmar (to the north and west)
- Chiang Mai Province (to the east)
- Tak Province (in the south)
Mae Hong Son is also the most mountainous province throughout the Kingdom of Thailand and occupies around 12,681 square kilometres.
Several centuries ago, the former King of Chiang Mai established the main town as a training camp for elephants ("ช้างไทย" in Thai language). Today, Mae Hong Son remains as one of the poorest provinces in Thailand.
Getting to Mae Hong Son
If you travel northwards out of Bangkok by road, you will need to drive about 924 kilometres (574 miles) to reach the provincial town in Mae Hong Son.
Travelling north to south, the province measures around 483 kilometres in total length and every district shares a border, either with Chiang Mai, Tak, or Myanmar.
The seven (7) major districts (Amphoe) of Mae Hong Son are:
- Mueang Mae Hong Son
- Khun Yuam (pictured)
- Pai
- Mae Sariang
- Mae La Noi
- Sop Moei
- Pang Mapha
The route from Bangkok City to Mae Hong Son meanders through a natural mountain range, known as the Hills of northern Thailand.
Most of this territory, around 85% of the provincial area, is still covered with closed and continuous tree canopies (e.g. rugged rainforest), including:
- Daen Lao Range (the northernmost part of the province)
- Thanon Thongchai Range (to the east - creating a boundary between Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai)
- Dawna Range (in the west - with a peripheral boundary between Burma and Thailand)
Pro Tip: The highest point in the province of Mae Hong Son is Doi Mae Ya ("ยอดเขาแม่ยะ" in Thai language). It has an elevation of 2,005 metres (6,578 feet) found in the north eastern district of Pai.
Mae Hong Son Climate and Temperature
Having the typical tropical savanna climate means the winter months (January to March) are dry and warm. From April, air temperatures start to rise and continue rising until the end of May.
Usually, the monsoon season in Mae Hong Son province arrives in May with increasing risks of heavy rains through the summer months and up to the beginning of October.
The average daytime temperature is 35° Celsius (96° Fahrenheit) in April and around 18° Celsius (64° Fahrenheit) in December. You can expect to have more than one hundred days of significant rainfall during the year.
Tourist Attraction in Mae Hong Son
Events and Festivals
- Bua Tong Blossom Festival
- Chong Phara Procession
- Loi Krathong Festival
- Poi Sang Long Procession
- Small World Festival
National Parks
- Huai Nam Dang National Park (1,252 square kilometres)
- Mae Ngao National Park (228 square kilometres)
- Mae Sariang National Park (192 square kilometres)
- Namtok Mae Surin National Park (396 square kilometres)
- Salawin National Park (721 square kilometres)
- Tham Pla-Namtok Pha Suea National Park (630 square kilometres)
Wildlife Sanctuaries
- Doi Wiang La Wildlife Sanctuary
- Lum Nam Pai Wildlife Sanctuary
- Mae Lao-Mae Sae Wildlife Sanctuary
- Mae Yuam Fang Khwa Wildlife Sanctuary
- Salawin Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sampan Dawn Wildlife Sanctuary
Recommended Things to Do in Mae Hong Son
- Doi Piu Peak
- Pong Nam Ron Muang Paeng
- Pang Tong Palace
- Pang Tong Royal Development Project
- Than Lot Nature and Wildlife Education Centre
- Yun Lai Viewpoint
Special Considerations for Tourists
- Foreigners need permission from the Folk Arts and Craft Center before visiting (or staying in) the romantic destination of Pang Ung.
- Securing an advanced hotel booking is advised if you plan to visit the popular town of Pai during any of the public holidays or winter months.
- It's best to have a personal supply of medicine if you are susceptible to motion sickness. You will experience long and winding roads when driving to Mae Hong Son.
Note: The discovery of several important minerals in the province include antimony, coal, limestone, lignite, lead, tin, zinc, tungsten, feldspar, and fluoride.