 Mae
Hong Son Activities and Top Things to do guide
Mae Hong Son doesn't have too much to offer as far
as sporting facilities or venues go other than those
facilities offered by the various hotels themselves.
Below are listed a few activities that will keep those
muscles toned and will introduce you to the surrounding
countryside, if nothing else.
What
better way to see this part of Thailand than sitting
atop one of the world's largest animals. This is a fun
activity for young and old alike and even if you aren't
'hot' on the idea of clambering onto the broad back
of our planet's largest land mammals, then you can always
simply feed them bananas and listen to their gentle,
contented rumblings as they stand quietly with their
mahoots.
 on
foot, is one of the more popular pass-times in this
mountainous terrain. Treks last anything from half day
to 5 days and routes take one along rivers and over
mountains where the scenery has to be seen to be appreciated.
is definitely
an excellent way to keep fit and what better way to
enjoy the clean air of Mae Hong Son than by peddling
your way though the hills and dales of the area. There
are a few rental outlets and a number of hotels and
resorts rent out bikes as well as there being organised
tours.
 With
an approximate length of 180 km, and width of 30 m,
the Pai River is the biggest and longest river in Mae
Hong Son. This challenges the adventurous traveller
to raft along this river and three most suitable departure/arrival
points are:
1. Source of the River to Amphoe Pai Starting from
Huai Chang Kaeo, it takes about six hours to cover the
16 km from Amphoe Pai to Wiang Nua Bridge or Ban Chomphon
near Amphoe Pai. The most suitable period for rafting
is between October-March.
2. From Amphoe Pai to Amphoe Muang Starting from Ban
Mo Paeng, it's a 30 km paddle from Amphoe Pai to Ban
Pang Mu in Amphoe Muang. The water levels differ greatly
at one point on the Pai River and it may be necessary
to change rafts at one point.
3. From Amphoe Muang to the border of Thailand and
Myanmar Starting from Ban Huai Dua, Tambon Pha Bong,
it's about 6 km from Amphoe Muang to the border at Ban
Nam Phiang Din. Normally this section of Pai River is
more enjoyable to cruise along by a long-tailed boat
which only takes 2-3 hours for a return trip or go elephant
trekking instead since the scenery on both sides of
the river are fascinating and beautiful.
Each year in November, the hillsides of Amphoe Khum
Yuam and Amphoe Mae Sariang are filled with a host of
golden Bua Tong or wild sunflower blooms. As gay as
a daisy and almost as a sunflower, the Bua Tong only
blossoms about 30 days. This enough reason for Mae Hong
Son provincial to hold the Bua Tong Blossom Festival
at Amphoe Khun Yuam.
At Amphoe Khum Yuam's 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 weed 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.
 The
Chong Para in the Thai Yai dialect means a castle made
of wood, covered with colorful 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. The rite is held during the post -rain retreat
season from the full-moon day of the 11the Lunar month
to the waxing-moon night of the same month.
Other activities to celebrate the occasion include
dances where performers are dressed in animal costumes.
This is based on the belief that during those long-gone
days, both humans and the animal kingdom were equally
joyful of the return of the Lord Buddha and therefore
joined in a jubilant performance as tribute to the Enlightened
One.
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 entertainment 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").
 This
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. Then he will
visit abbots of various monasteries to beg for forgiveness.
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.
|
