Pangmapha is a district in northwestern Mae Hong Son province, along the border with Burma. Better known is Soppong, a small village located in a small valley in Pangmapha. Soppong is on the main road, between Pai and Mae Hong Son town on the Mae Hong Son loop. The village is a trading and market centre for the many hilltribe villages that populate the area. There is a total of about 300 homes in the whole village area. The population is about 40% hilltribe (mostly Karen, Lisu and Lahu), 40% Burmese Shan, 20% Thai, as well as few Haw Chinese muslim families.
Pangmapha (Soppong) does not presently attract many tourists, in contrast to Pai, located 45 kilometres away, which now contains nearly 150 guesthouses and hotels. There are several guest houses and restaurants in Pangmapha, but very few tourist oriented businesses and shops, thus lending a genuine traditional feel to the area. The area offers fantastic DIY trekking amongst the abundance of mountains, caves, rivers and jungle.
Information on what to do and where to go is offered at "Border Bar" (''see Drink'') in the centre of the village, across from the market and bus stop.
Many hilltribe villages are located around the area, including Lisu, Red and Black Lahu, Karen, and Hmong. Many can be reached on foot from the main village of Soppong.
A traveling market is set up every Tuesday morning along the road in the main market area, with hilltribe people coming down from the mountains to sell their produce and wares.