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Subdistrict in Thailand
Photo: User: (WT-shared) Asfintesco at wts wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Mae Sariang is a town in Mae Hong Son Province, Northern Thailand. Near the Myanmar border, the town is slowly becoming popular with those wanting to escape the crowds of Pai and Chiang Mai. The town lies due south of Mae Hong Son on Rte 108.
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The museum is a single-story raised wooden building in a design which blends traditional Thai Yai wood-carving with northern Thai architectural styles. The museum is a centre for the display and sale of One Tambon, One Product (OTOP) merchandise, and features presentations about lives of tribal peoples including Lua, Thai Yai, Karen, Lawa, and Hmong along with local history. It also has plenty of information for tourists about sites throughout Mae Hong Son.
One of the best areas in Thailand, to visit authentic hill tribes. In and around Mae Sariang you will find hill tribe village scattered everywhere, set amongst beautiful mountains and nature. You may choose to hire a local guide to visit these villages, not only because they may be difficult to find, or to translate for you, but a local guide can open up a cultural experience and make it easier to interact with villagers.
The people are friendly and speak barely any English. Bring your own towel. You can buy a few basic snacks and drinks. You'll get the remote feeling of the place. The setting and scenery is maybe the most special about the place.
An hour away by songthaew or motorbike, it is a border village overlooking Burma and the Salween River and is home to Thai and Karen and Burmese alike. 600 baht gets you a one hour boat trip up the Salween.
There are far, far fewer tourists who visit Mae Sariang than Pai, so you can be sure that you won't run into any other tourists, and there are no "ethnic shows". For the moment anyway, a much more genuine hill tribe experience. The local villages are much less visited so you may not be able to find a tour leaving during your stay in town. Also, be prepared to pay a little more than you would in Chiang Mai or Pai. The cost is compensated for by a much better trekking experience.
The largest and most popular restaurant in Mae Sariang. Large variety, great portions and superb food. The owners are lovely. Ti, the main cook, makes a great red curry. The tom yum gung (prawn soup) is also particularly good. Very laid back atmosphere, fast service, and can accommodate large groups. Highly recommended!
Overlooks the river, is excellent, and they stock beer Lao for only 80 baht a bottle (33 cl). The owner has excellent English and she cooks a good, if slightly small American breakfast. If you like, or want to try, Isaan-style som tam, Sawadee is the place to try it. Ask for it "pet neet-noi" if you are afraid of it being too spicy.
Great Thai food with the best river view in town and the price is very decent. Has a pool table, bar, and expanded menu.
Lovely, wooden, if basic, guesthouse near the river, and run by an enthusiastic and welcoming Thai couple, that has fan and air-con rooms. Great value for money, simple, clean, rooms. Very friendly staff and great atmosphere, a pleasure to stay. Great food, made by the lovely owner Tuk-ta. All of their food is delicious, especially good if you want to try some Thai specialities such as pad pong curry, satay chicken, or salawin fish cake. If there is something you would like they will make it. And she loves teaching you how to cook Thai food also! They also offer great tours for 1, 2, or 3 days. Kitti and Tuk-ta are the local tour guides at Northwest. They know Mae Sariang well and will show you all the local sites. Very friendly people!
On the river, rooms with balconies overlooking it. Rooms have Thai TV and a bath with hot shower. Most rooms have air-con. Rental motorbikes available. Computers in the lobby and free Wi-Fi. Restaurant open daily from 07:00-21:00, Thai and Western food, mostly under 80 baht. Great steak for 180 baht.
Thai boxing
The teacher, Meopar, aka Mr. Suphachai Sawakgul, is a former Thai boxer. He's a patient teacher and flexible in his teaching hours. Give him a call and you can probably show up one hour later. His English is basic, but just enough to communicate. The lessons are held in his garden on a Thai boxing mattress. Boxing gloves are provided, but bring your own shorts, towel, and bottle of water. Best in the morning to avoid the heat later.
By car
Coming from Mae Sot (south) follow Rte 105 north. It's about a 240 km drive. There are no "normal" gas stations on the way. So fill up the tank before you leave Mae Sot.
Mae Sariang is not very big, so you can easily get around walking or renting a bicycle (50 baht/day) from one of the local guesthouses. Motorbikes are available for around 200 baht a day as well.
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