Mae Sariang
From Wikitravel
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Mae Sariang is a town in northern Thailand. Located near the Myanmar border, the town is slowly becoming popular with those wanting to trek away from the crowds of Pai and Chiang Mai
[edit] Get in
[edit] By Bus
There are 4 or 5 buses a day from Chiang Mai.4 hours. Buses also run along Route 108 from Mae Hong Son. 5 hours. There are regular orange sangtheaw from Mae Sot 3-4 hours.
[edit] Get around
[edit][add listing] See
Mae Sariang Museum : Locate near the turning to Ban Chom Chaeng at the intersection of Highway 108 and Highway 105 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 center for the display and sale of One Tambol one Product (OTOP) products, and features presentations about the way of life of tribal people s 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.
Mae Sariang, beyond offering visitors areas of exceptional natural beauty and insights into traditional tribal ways of life, has some notable ancient holy sites; where tourists are welcome to join the locals in paying their respects for good fortune and prosperity. These sites are together called the Phra That Sii Chom (The 4”Chom’’ reliquaries)
[edit][add listing] Do
[edit] Lawa and Karen Hilltribe Villages
Thailand Hilltribe Holidays (www.thailandhilltribeholidays.com[1])Offers cultural and authentic tours and homestays at hilltribe villages, nestled in mountains nearby. 1 or 2 Day tours are offered to nearby Karen and Lawa hilltribe villages where you interact and experience true hilltribe culture and way of life. Based on responsible tourism principles they aim to allow hilltribe communities to benefit from tourism
[edit] Trekking
Salawin Tours is a trekking agency in town. Run by the charming Salawin out of his "office". They can organise single or multi-day treks, elephants, and rafting.
Along the Banks of the Salawin (www.banksofsalawintours.com[2]) is an independent trekking enterprise offering small group or individual tours through the Salawin National Park. Personalised trips of between 1-3 days featuring trekking through the jungle, long tail boat trips, elephant riding, waterfalls and overnight stays in Karen hill tribe villages.
Some of the hotels have also started organising single day trips- North West Guest house has great tours for 1,2 or 3 days, Kitti is the local tour guide at North West who knows Mae sariang well and will show you all the local sites. There are far, far fewer tourists making it to Mae Sariang that Pai etc, so you can be sure that you wont run into any other tourists, and there are no "ethnic shows".For the moment anyway, a much more genuine Hill-tribe experience. The other benefit is that it is cheaper too.
A day trip to Mae Sam Laeb is worthwhile. An hour away by Song Thaeu or motorbike, it is a border village overlooking Burma and the Salaween river and is home to Thai and Karen and Burmese alike. 150b a person gets you a relaxing 1 hour boat trip on the Salaween.
[edit] Run
The Tribe-to-Tribe Marathon is a standard length marathon that takes runners all throughout the town center and the surrounding rice fields, and the proceeds benefit local Karen children. The race is on July 4, 2010.
[edit][add listing] Buy
There is a market twice a week selling all the usual suspects of fruit and cheap clothes.
[edit][add listing] Eat
Inthira 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 Goong (prawn soup) is also particularly good. Very laid back atmosphere, fast service, and can accommodate large groups! Highly recommended!!!
Sawadee, overlooks the river is excellent AND they stock Beer Laos for only 60b a bottle. 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 nid-noi' though.
North West Guest House has great food, made by the lovely owner Tuk-ta. All of their food is delicious - expecially good if you want to try some northern Thai specialties such as pad pong curry. If there is something you would like - they will make it.
Pretty much every hotel has a restaurant. The best of these is probably the River House hotel. They do a truly excellent steak for 180b, and the open-air restaurant there overlooks the river.
[edit][add listing] Drink
Everywhere worth drinking in is along the river. Sawadee is the place if you like Beer Laos (who doesn't?)
[edit][add listing] Sleep
- Riverside Guesthouse. Pleasant rooms and a veranda on the river. 100-200 baht. edit
- North West Guesthouse, 81 mu 12 Bankad (From bus station; go out, turn left, take first right, and right at the end of the soi. It's 20 metres up on your right.), [3]. Lovely, wooden, if basic, guesthouse situated 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 in Rooms priced variously: 150 for double fan room, and up to 400 for double air-con with bathroom and internet PC in the room. edit
[edit] Contact
[edit] Get out
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