Stories tagged with mae
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Mae Hong Son ready for the sunflowers
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) officials have announced that the scenic northern Thai town of Mae Hong Son is gearing up for a busy winter high season this year. The region along the border with Burma kicks off its tourism season on 6 November with the Buatong flower festival, one of Thailand’s real natural wonders. Thousands of Mexican sunflowers burst into yellow bloom on mountainsides around Khun Yuan and Mae Au Kor every year in a beautiful display of colour.
This year for the first time, visitors will be allowed to camp out on the mountains right in the midst of the fields of sunflowers. The flowers typically bloom from mid-November through early December and are one of northern Thailand’s premier annual attractions not to be missed. Parking facilities, healthcare services, toilets and special security patrols will be on hand at the major sunflower sites to ensure a smooth experience for all.
Mae Hong Son’s hotel capacity is already 90 per cent booked for the peak days of sunflower season surrounding the festival, so visitors are advised to make room reservations as soon as possible. Other neighbouring highlights around Mae Hong Son include the Phu Chi Fah cliff and its legendary mists, Pha Pueng Cave and the myriad hilltribes that call the region home.
Posted by: Andrew on 29 Oct 2008, 06:27 -
Seasonal flooding hits northern Thailand
The rainy season is in full swing in northern Thailand, bringing heavy sustained storms that have caused serious flooding in many parts of the country. Worst hit have been the provinces around Lampang, Nan, Chiang Rai and Mae Sai.
The first town to be hard hit by intense storms was Nan, where two people drowned in flash floods and several more were reported missing in the Tha Wang Pha district. The city of Lampang, 100kms south of Chiang Mai, is the most recent site of storm destruction as some 120 homes were damaged by flash floods. Lampang’s Wang Nua and Muang Pan districts were declared disaster areas by local authorities.
Another northern Thai region popular with tourists that has been getting heavy rain over the past days include the entire Chiang Rai province. The head of the district hydrology centre, Manob Tailor, reported that rising waters in the Mekong River pose a very potential threat to another round of flooding in areas near Chiang Saen.
In good news, the horrific flooding last week that submerged much of the market and business district in Mae Sai along the Thai-Burmese border has finally submerged. Mae Sai is a popular border crossing for foreigners looking to renew their tourist visas, and it’s now back to business as usual.
Posted by: Andrew on 11 Sep 2008, 03:58 -
Flash floods hit northern Thai border
In the latest effect of steady heavy rains that have lingered over southern China, northern Vietnam, Laos and northern Thailand, flash floods caused the Moei River on the border between Thailand and Burma to burst it banks. The Burmese border town of Tachilek, a popular crossing spot for foreigners making a Thai visa run, was particularly hard hit and suffered major flooding.
On the Thai side of the border, the Moei River created plenty of problems for residents of Mae Sai and other Thai towns lying the river. The three northern Thai villages of Mai Lungkhon, Koh Sai and Sailom Joy were inundated by the waters, which rose to 1.3 metres and submerged the markets and many shops.
In Burma’s Tachilek town, the low-lying market area was flooded under more than 1 metre of muddy dirty water. Damage to vendors is estimated at over 20 million baht. Bottled water has been distributed to residents on both sides of this busy border in northern Thailand. Foreign visitors to Thailand who plan to make a visa run to Mae Sai should check on the current status before travelling, as immigration offices may have been affected by the flooding.
Posted by: Andrew on 25 Aug 2008, 14:58 -
Mae Hong Son archaeological exhibition
An important archaeological exhibition has recently been opened in Mae Hong Son that details a 30,000 year-old site revealing Thailand’s oldest skeletons.
Kenneth Foster, first secretary of the US Ambassador to Thailand for cultural affairs, opened the unique archaeological site in February 2008 on behalf of the ambassador, Eric John.
Known as Perng Pha Tham Lod, the site is located at Ban Tham Lod in the Pang Mapha district and is estimated to be at least 30,000 years old.
The first excavations - Phases 1 and 2 - took place between 2001 and 2006 while the latest project is more concerned with archaeological renovation and research.
Among the artifacts uncovered at the site are two of Thailand’s oldest human skeletons – at around 13,000 years old – and evidence of ancient Stone Age humans from 32,000 years ago including stone tools.
In addition, ancient golden teak wood coffins on stone tables in caves have been discovered from as far back as 2,500 years.
The US Embassy in Thailand is to fund the research part of the project and is also based at the site.
More on Mae Hong Son
Posted by: Andrew on 26 Feb 2008, 14:23