Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MAE HONG SON PROVINCE
Accessible only by incredibly windy mountain roads or a dodgy flight to the provincial
capital, Mae Hong Son is arguably Thailand's remotest province. Thickly forested and
mountainous, and far from the influence of sea winds, the temperature seldom rises above
40°C, while in January the temperature can drop to 2°C. The air is often misty with ground
fog in the winter and smoke from slash-and-burn agriculture during the hot season. Mae
Hong Son's location along the border with Myanmar means that it is also a crossroads for
ethnic minorities (mostly Karen, with some Hmong, Lisu and Lahu), Shan and Burmese
immigrants.
Although the province is firmly on the tourist trail, with many resorts opening in the area
around the capital, the vast majority of visitors don't seem to make it much further than
Pai.
