Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Motorcycles and bicycles are available for hire at a rental shop (
08 1181 3695; off Th Laeng Ph-
7am-7pm) near Th Laeng Phanit, as well as at the
anit; bike/motorcycle hire per 24hour 50/200B;
Northwest Guest House.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Salawin National Park & Mae Sam Laep
This national park ( 0 5307 1429, accommodation 0 2562 0760; www.dnp.go.th ; 200B) covers 722 sq km
of protected land in Mae Sariang and Sop Moei districts. The park is heavily forested with
teak and Asian redwood and is home to what is thought to be the second-largest teak tree
in Thailand. There are numerous hiking trails, and it's also possible to travel by boat along
Mae Nam Salawin to the park's outstation at Tha Ta Fang.
The main headquarters are 6km from Mae Sariang and have bungalow-style accom-
modation (300B to 1200B), which can be booked via the Royal Forest Department (
0 2562
0760; www.dnp.go.th ) .
The riverside trading village of Mae Sam Laep is nearly at the end of a 50km winding
mountain road from Mae Sariang, within the park boundaries. Populated by Burmese
refugees, the town has a raw, border-town feel and is a launching point for boat trips along
Mae Nam Salawin. The trips pass through untouched jungle, unusual rock formations
along the river and, occasionally, enter Myanmar.
From the pier at Mae Sam Laep it's possible to charter boats south to Sop Moei (1500B,
1½ hours), 25km from Mae Sam Laep, and north to the Salawin National Park station at
Tha Ta Fang (1200B, one hour), 18km north of Mae Sam Laep. There are passenger boats
as well, but departures are infrequent and, unless you speak Thai, difficult to negotiate.
Sŏrng·tăa·ou from Mae Sariang to Mae Sam Laep (70B, 1½ hours, frequent from
6.30am to 3.30pm) depart from Th Laeng Phanit near the morning market.
 
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