The
road from Pai begins to climb after KM.110. Lisu women
and men can be seen working the slopes by the road,
which was only sealed in the late 1980's. Views near
the pass are excellent, and you can take a short walk
up the trail leading from the car park.
Passing
Nam Rin Lisu village at KM.32, the road follows narrow
valleys to the small district town of Soppong. The
turn off to Tham Lot cave is just past the KM.141
stone.
After Soppong some breathtaking scenery can be enjoyed
by taking the side trip at KM.152 to the Shan town
of Mae Lan Na. H1095 reaches one of the best viewpoints
on the whole route, before dropping into the River
Khong Valley and continuing on a twisting route over
low passes and narrow valleys.
An
opportunity to take a short break occurs at a forest
park where local families bring their children to
feed the blue carp at 'fish cave'. An alternative
route at KM.192 gives access to two side-trips that
include a self-drive route to one of the Padaung villages.
Mae
Hong Son
Known
as the city of three mists, a settlement started here
around 1831 as an elephant corral, and grew as Shan
farmers and Yunnanese traders settled there. It became
a city in 1871 and was hastily made into a Siamese
province in 1893 due to threats from the British,
who had annexed the nearby Shan State of Burma. The
first road to connect to it was engineered by the
Japanese in the push into Burma during the Second
World War, and the southern route via Mae Sariang
was sealed in the early 70's.
The
town has only recently developed as a thriving tourist
centre, modernising in the process. The area around
Chong Kham (pronounced something like 'Jong Kum')
lake, however, retains its original charm. The town
is famous for the Poi San Long festival held in March
or May, when a very colourful parade of 'crystal sons'
goes round the Chong Kham lake and back to Wat Hua
Wiang. The 'Hae Chong Phara' festival in the 11th
lunar month and Loi Krathong (November) are also very
colourful.
Around
Mae Hong Son
The
mountains are the reserve of the Karen, the main hill
tribe to be found in this area. To see the Padaung
(Long Neck Karen) you can take ST7, or go on a long
tail boat ride to the Burmese border (the landing
is reached by turning right [west] after passing KM.265
and going almost 3 kms. to the village of Huai Dua.
400 Baht for one boat and 250 Baht per visitor to
the Padaung. 3 hrs.).
DAY
2: SIDE TRIPS
ST4
Tham Lot
(KM.141.
right turn [north]. Concrete 7 kms. + Dirt 2 kms .
3 hours or longer if planning a stop at Cave Lodge.)
Turn
right off the concrete road at the village of Ban
Tham Lot (7 kms.) onto the dirt road which continues
1 km. to Tham Lot National Park, where villagers with
lanterns (100 baht) and rafts (100 baht) to the 'coffin'
in cavern 3 await visitors.
ST5
Mae La NA & Chabo
(KM.152.
Right turn [north] 2 kms dirt road, 3 kms asphalt.
90 min.)
The
road passes the Black Lahu village of Chabo (3.5 kms)
before dropping down to the Shan village of Mae La
Na. Just after 4 kms. a dirt road left goes 21 kms
to the Karen village of Pang Kham near the border
with Myanmar. Do not enter in the rainy season and
note any turnings you make. This area is one of the
most spectacular in Northern Thailand, but you must
take a guide for dirt road exploration.
ST6.
Pha Sua Falls and Mae Aw
(KM.142.
Right [north turn]. Asphalt 24 kms., dirt road 6 kms.
3 hrs)
Turn
right after 2.2 kms and go straight. You should reach
a T junction with a (good) local restaurant with a
'Food & Drink' sign in English. Turn right for
the Pha Sua Falls and left for Mae Hong Son. The falls
have been spoiled by a hydro-project, but the climb
on the sealed road up to the Hmong village of Ban
Na Pa Paek offers great views and access to a high
plateau area used for growing tea (Right turn for
dirt road to Mae Aw. 6 kms.)
ST7
The Padaung or 'Long Necked' Karen
(KM.198.H1095.
Right turn [west] and after approx. 600 m. left turn
[south]. 20 kms. Asphalt except for last 2 kms. 150
min)
Follow
the signs after Ban Nai Soi (18 kms.) to reach the
refugee village of the Padaung. (Entrance 250 baht/head.
Take small change if planning to buy souvenirs).
Overview
Corporate
Housing
