Mae Hong Son, Thailand

🇹🇭 Mae Hong Son is a town in north-west Thailand, capital of Mae Hong Son Province. It is in the Shan Hills, near the border with Burma along the banks of the River Pai. The town covers the tambon Chong Kham of the Mueang Mae Hong Son district. Mae Hong Son is 883 km north of Bangkok and 251 km north-west of Chiang Mai.

History The territory of Mae Hong Son Province was formerly part of Mawkmai State, one of the Shan States which had been founded in 1767 by Hsai Khiao, hailing from a noble family of Chiang Mai.

As a result of the Anglo-Siamese Boundary Commission of 1892-93 Mae Hong Son district was ceded to Siam, but the adjacent Möngmaü and Mehsakun trans-Salween districts— also claimed by Siam as territories located on the eastern side of the Salween River— were kept as part of British Burma.

Geography The Daen Lao Range dominates the landscape of this district. Neighboring districts are (from south clockwise): Khun Yuam of Mae Hong Son Province; Kayah State of Myanmar; Pang Mapha and Pai of Mae Hong Son Province; and Galyani Vadhana and Mae Chaem of Chiang Mai province.

The Namtok Mae Surin National Park office is in the district.

Transport Mae Hong Son can be reached by car or bus from Chiang Mai by the Mae Hong Son loop. The town is also serviced by the Mae Hong Son Airport. It is also home to the only commercial Diesel power station in Thailand. The station has only a very small capacity of 4.40 MW (4,400 kW). It seems like it was placed here because of the remote location of the town.

Economy: Tourist Industry The town has some tourist infrastructure, including many guesthouses and several internet cafes. It also has a vegetarian restaurant near the main market.

It is a popular jumping-off point for tours to visit hill tribe villages, caves, and waterfalls in the area. There are also some hot springs nearby.

"Thung Dok Bua Tong" in Amphoe Khun Yuam, where the fields of wild sunflowers bloom and cover the hills during the month of November, is best reached from Mae Hong Son and lies some 80 km away.