Mae Hong Son in Pictures

[camble]

 

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.

 

 

 

Edited March 10, 2017 by camble
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[colinneil]

First photo taken from the temple on top of the hill, beautiful.

Thank you for posting your photos, brought back some good memories for me.

Salween river, yes good food good staff, owner , Nang is a good friend of mine.

[camble]

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 are actually two bridges, one for just crossing the river

 

 

This couple got 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. 

 

 

Next Up: Pai

 

Minibus leaves at noon, 150 baht either to Pai (106 km) or Chiang Mai (260 km). 

 

 

See my Pai Picture Report

 

[colinneil]

Cross roads bloody expensive to buy beer there, 3 doors along little old Thai place beer 50% cheaper than crossroads.

[camble]

2 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Cross roads bloody expensive to buy beer there, 3 doors along little old Thai place beer 50% cheaper than crossroads.

Do they have Jack Daniels?  Two hot young farang women were leaving Crossroads 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?