'''Pangmapha''' is a small town with a predominantly hill tribe population on the road between Pai and Mae Hong Son. Pangmapha is less touristic, and has a more traditional feel, than Pai.

Understand

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.

Get in

Get around

See

Tham Lot cave features the largest cave opening in SE Asia with a river passing through the cave that can be explored with local guides on bamboo rafts. Also, Phi Man cave contains many stone age coffins inside the cave. This area also features some of the best tropical forests in Northern Thailand with many day walks possible to explore the jungle, do some birdwatching, and see dozens of varieties of wild orchids.

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.

Do

Buy

Eat

Drink

  • '''Border Bar''' (''next to Lemon Hill guest house, opposite the day market'') - recently opened (Sept.2006) bar/coffee shop. Offer free backpackers-oriented travel information, also scooter tours and 4x4 treks in a 1957 Army Jeep.
  • Sleep

  • '''Soppong River Inn''' [http://www.soppong.com] Tel. 66-053-617-107 Offering unique, natural accommodations in tropical gardens along the Lang River with a teak deck overhanging the river. Bungalows range from 700-1200Baht per night.
  • Get out