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.
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)
- Mae Sariang Museum. 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.
Mae Sariang Museum. 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.
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- Authentic Hilltribe villages. 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.
- Hot Springs. 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.
- Mae Sam Laeb. 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.
- Trekking. 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.
Authentic Hilltribe villages. 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.
Hot Springs. 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.
Mae Sam Laeb. 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.
Trekking. 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.
- Muay Thai Lessons, 311/7 Moo 1 Bantakam (3 km north of the centre, near Rte 108, +66 85 7126422. 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. 200 baht per hour.
Muay Thai Lessons, 311/7 Moo 1 Bantakam (3 km north of the centre, near Rte 108, +66 85 7126422. 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. 200 baht per hour.
- 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 gung (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 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.
- Tukki's Riverside Restaurant. Great Thai food with the best river view in town and the price is very decent. Has a pool table, bar, and expanded menu.
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 gung (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 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.
Tukki's Riverside Restaurant. Great Thai food with the best river view in town and the price is very decent. Has a pool table, bar, and expanded menu.
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.