Chiangmai and Mae Hong Son are two large provinces in northern Thailand. The names also refer to their respective provincial capital cities. Both provinces share long borders with Myanmar (formerly called Burma).
Chiangmai city was the center of the ancient Lanna kingdom founded by King Mengrai in 1296. Over the centuries, its people have used its natural resources to build a prosperous economy and rich culture. Today, the main economic activities in the province are agriculture, manufacturing, education and tourism.
The provincial city of Chiangmai is a top tourist destination particularly from November until early February when the weather is cooler. Moats enclose Chiangmai’s ancient city center and its many ornate wats or Buddhist temples enchant travelers. Many travelers also participate in colorful Buddhist festivals including Loy Kratong during the full moon in November. During this three-day festival, Buddhists and tourists release small floats with incense, candles and flowers onto waterways. Some devotees also release lanterns up in the air during Loy Kratong. With its mountainous terrain and rivers, Chiangmai province offers many opportunities for outdoor activities including trekking, cave exploration, rafting and motorized sports.
Wat Chedi Luang - Buddhist Temple complex in Chiang Mai
The province of Mae Hong Son is located next to Chiangmai province and it is remote, mountainous and sparsely populated. Over 85 percent of the province is forested and until it was banned in 1989 by the Thai government, logging of teak and other valuable hardwoods was a major economic activity. During the logging decades, domesticated Asian elephants were used to drag the harvested timber down steep terrain to river towns. Since the ban, many of these large but gentle animals have been re-trained to interact with tourists at elephant camps. Agriculture is the main economic activity today in Mae Hong Son province with coffee and tea cultivation becoming more significant. Mining is also important to the provincial economy.
The long and winding mountain roads of Mae Hong Son attract motorists who enjoy the challenge of riding on narrow roads with thousands of switchbacks. In November, blooming wild Mexican sunflowers cover several mountain slopes in central Mae Hong Son province. These wildflower fields attract thousands of local and foreign tourists. Its many national parks and extensive cave systems also bring adventurers to this province. The provincial capital of Mae Hong Son is small and the cultural dominance of the Shan or Tai Yai people who were originally from Myanmar are reflected in its main temples or wats.
The two provinces of Chiangmai and Mae Hong Son have a diverse and rich mix of Thai and ethnic minority populations. Large groups of hill tribes such as the Karen, Lahu, Lisu, Lua, Akha and Hmong live in the small towns and countryside of these provinces. There are also several towns in both provinces where the Yunnanese Chinese predominate. This group is descended from traders from the Yunnan province in southeastern China and also soldiers of the Chinese nationalist party or Kuomintang. These soldiers remained in northern Thailand after losing the Chinese civil war of the 1940s to the Communist Party which Mao Tse-Tung led.
Photo 1) Lahu Village 2) Mexican Sunflower Fields near Khun Yuam city - Mae Hong Son Province
Rice Fields near Mae Hong Son city (below)
Tomato Fields on the Mae Hong Son driving loop
Loi Kratong festival - Chiang Mai - November 2022
Typical Northern Thailand Food - sticky rice, steamed vegetables, grilled pork, egg and spicy sauce. Thai people usually eat with their right hand.
Grilled meat vendor in Mae Hong Son city