Mae Sariang

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.

By bus
There are 5 mini-vans a day from Chiang Mai departing from the Arcade Bus Station at 09:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 17:00. Journey time is approximately 3.5 hr and tickets cost 200 baht.

You can book minivan tickets only 3 days in advance of travel. The telephone numbers for the mini-van company are 90 514 1111 and 82 390 0189 (only Thai-speaking, no English); you can also book online (see further). You can book tickets on the phone, but you must pay and collect the tickets at least 1 hr before departure time. You can do this either: - at the bus station or - any 7-Eleven store (they are all over Chiang Mai). In which case you need to tell them at the time of booking on the phone, and they will SMS you a booking code (so you'll need a Thai mobile number). At 7-Eleven show the code, pay and collect your tickets (15-baht service fee, so 215 baht total). You must do this at least 1 hr before the mini-van departs

The company running the buses is name Prempracha Company, and you can book online here. Booking online doesn't give you a 7-Eleven number and you have to pay 1 hour before the minivan arrives, in cash.

Public buses also run from Mae Hong Son to Mae Sariang on Rte 108 (4 hr, 150 baht).

From Mae Sot there are regular orange songthaews that departs from the bus station, 5-6 hr. 200 baht.

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. Or if you're low on fuel, drive into one of the villages on the way and ask for a shop where they offer fuel by hand pump. The road is pretty good, though at some parts there are a few bumps and holes (probably due to the heavy rains in the wet season).

Coming from Chiang Mai take Rte 108 southwest. The distance is about 195 km or 2.5 hours.

Get around
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.

For longer journeys out of the town, you may want to hire a car and driver. Ask any of the local guesthouses and they will be able to arrange this for you

See
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 "Four Chom" reliquaries)



Drink
Everywhere worth drinking is along the river. Sawadee is the place if you like Beerlao (who doesn't?). Northwest Guesthouse also has a lovely bar.

Go next

 * Bangkok
 * Chiang Mai
 * Mae Hong Son
 * Mae Sot
 * Pai