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Thailand's second northern provincial city, is set in valleys hemmed by jungle ridge and cool climate through the year. In the past, this town was isolated from the outside cities because lack of good transportation and communication.No paved road until 1968. The province is bordered by Myanmar to the North and West, and a Strong Burmese (Myanmar) influence can be seen in many temples, building and people lifestyle.
So nearly half of the population are Shan (Thai-Yai) and remainder are mixture of many hilltribes; Karen, Mong, Lua, Lahu and Lisu. Maehongson is 924 km. away from Bangkok and 369 km. from Chiangmai via Amphoe MaeSaReang on highway NO. 108 (and 245 km. via Amphoe Pai on highway NO. 1095) with an area of 13,184.4 sq.km. Nickname of this city is "City of Three Mists" or "Muang Sam Mok", in rainy and winter there is thick fog in the morning (sometime all day) and before spring there is smoked fog from firing hay in rice fields. (2 mists and 1 smoke) Welcome to Maehongson, the land that my tourist friends call "Indochina-Switzerland". Don't miss this trip for you Thailand's tour. 
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In the past, Maehongson was a mysterious land, isolated from another cities in Lanna. About 1831, Chao Kaew Muang Ma was sent from Chiangmai to capture wild elephants and not want to herd them back at that time so the hunters built an elephant kraal near the River Pai. (This River Kraal became the mean of the name : Maehongson) The hunters trained wild elephants there before bring back to Chiangmai. Then a small community eventually flourished. Until 1874, one of Thai-Yai refugee from Myanmar was assigned by Chao Inthavitchayanon from Chiangmai to rule this community. His name is "ChanKaLay" or "Phaya Singhanartracha", the first local ruler of Maehongson. After his death, his wife was selected to rule this small city and had several local rulers. In 1900, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) of Siam (Thailand) united this city with Chiangmai to be a Northern State. In 1933, the city become one of Thailand's province name "Maehongson" administrated by governer desinated by the King.
So nearly half of the population are Shan (Thai-Yai) and remainder are mixture of many hilltribes; Karen, Mong, Lua, Lahu and Lisu. Maehongson is 924 km. away from Bangkok and 369 km. from Chiangmai via Amphoe MaeSaReang on highway NO. 108 (and 245 km. via Amphoe Pai on highway NO. 1095) with an area of 13,184.4 sq.km. Nickname of this city is "City of Three Mists" or "Muang Sam Mok", in rainy and winter there is thick fog in the morning (sometime all day) and before spring there is smoked fog from firing hay in rice fields. (2 mists and 1 smoke) Welcome to Maehongson, the land that my tourist friends call "Indochina-Switzerland". Don't miss this trip for you Thailand's tour. |
The yellow hills appear in November every year, covers the area 1.6 sq.km. call Doi Mae Ukor. They are Mexican-Sun flowers, brought by missionary 30 years ago. All are bloom only 2-3 weeks per years. This yellow valleys attract tourists from all area both Thai and Foreigner come to see them. Go Southword from Maehongson to Amphoe Khunyuam (highway NO. 108), Doi Mae UKor will be on your righthandside.
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| Long - Neck Women (Padong) |
At Baan Nam Phiang Din, Karen women still attach brass rings to her neck and limbs to give a good appearance. I had seen some young Karen girls (about 5-7 years old) have already attack the neck-rings.
The number of rings increases according to her age. She will take them off while bathing and sleeping only. The secret of long-neck is her clavicles and rib cage are pressed lower and lower while her neck seem to be longer and longer
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Covers the area in Amphoe Maetang, Chiangmai and Amphoe Pai, Maehongson (on highway NO. 1095). It commands a breathtaking view of sea of mist in the morning, flower beds and hilltribes people.
Doi Kiew Lom Viewpoint is well-known,foreign tourist come here to see spectacular sea of mist. Moreover, there are 2 nature trials : Eueng Ngern Nature Trial and Chom Doi Nature Trial. Each trial covers a distance of 1.5 km.
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Here is a National Park area covering Amphoe Muang and Amphoe Khunyuam. This is one of the most beautiful tiered fall, 100 meters in height cascades down the cliff to lower valley.
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Wat Phra Tart Doi Kongmu |
This hilltop temple give a wonderful view of the town and surrounding countryside. This temple was built in 1874 by "Phaya Singhanatracha", the first ruler of Maehongson. The two white pagodas are the well-known logo of Maehongson. In the past at the end of Buddhist Rain Retreat Period, many people will walk from the base of Doi Kongmu (behind Wat Phranon) climbup stairway to the pagodas for donation and giving foods or flowers to monks, this is a tradition of making great merit of Buddhism.
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Wat Jong Kham |
This old temple was built in 1827. Contained a big Buddha image in Burmese (Myanmar) - style. One of the symbol of Maehongson is "Phra Tart Jong Kham", beautiful yellow pagoda (Jedi) beside Jong Kham Lake. Today it situates in the same wall with Wat Jong Klang.
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Wat Phranon |
This temple contained a huge Burmese (Myanmar) style reclining Buddha image (about 12 meters long). The temple also houses ashes of Maehongson's rulers. In the main house, invite you to see a small museum that kept many old treasurable things. Outside at the back of the temple, two massive stone lions guard the staircase to Wat Phra Tart Doi Kongmu.
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Wat Kam Kor |
Or another name is Wat Dok Bun Nak which is shady, you will see a reddish covered way to the main house and pleasant having ancient scriptures written in the ancient local dialect informing the history of Thai-Yai people. It situated opposite of Wat Phra Non.
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This natural lake park is at the center of the town. Surrounded by a small park and walk path. This is a place for many cerebrations of the town too. Beside the lake you can see Phra Tart Jong Kham (Wat Jong Kham) and Wat Jong Klang. For staying there are many guest houses and food shops arround here.
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It is crowd in every morning, many vendors and shopper (both Thai and Foreigner) will meet here. If you want to find some local food, vegetables and fruites, come here before 9.00 am.
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It's name derives from a place where a stream emerges from under a cliff and many large blue carps can be seen down through hole in the rock. No body catch them for food or sell, they believed that the hermit statue in front of the cave have protected all the carps.
Surrounding there is an attractive garden beside a small river (call Sa-Ngee river), a water-wheel, tables and chairs set under the trees for relaxing your sold.
* This area is the work of a National Park you have to pay cheap entrance fee. And at the entrance you can buy a small pack of fish food to feed the carps yourself.
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In Amphoe Pangmapha, this huge cave is beautiful decorated with colorful stalagmites and Stalactites.
Pre-historic remains and antiques were found there. You can walk with wet legs through the dark cave follow a local guide with lamp, the distance is not longer than 1 kilometers.
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This is the cerebration of novice ordainment which Thai-Yai people hold to be a highly meritorous occasion. Offerings for monks are carried on his kin's shoulder around the town in a fantazy looking parade. It is usually held during March and May before Buddhist Rain retreat Period.
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