Road 1096 to Samoeng passes through the narrow valley of the Mae Sa. The river tumbles down numerous cascades which are best seen at the Mae Sa Falls.

The natural beauty of the area and closeness to the city has attracted orchid farms, elephant camps and resorts with lovely gardens. The greatest attraction, however, is the new Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden.

In the higher part of the valley, flowers are grown for the city market, and the Hmong cultivate the hills all around for vegetables. The journey may be made into a full day-trip through pleasant upland scenery by visiting the small, undeveloped market town of Samoeng and returning via Hang Dong on R1296.

Huai Tungthao

9km W 4km

Just after the Vieng Ping Children's Home a small lane west leads to a canal. Go north, cross the first bridge and follow the unsealed road west to a popular weekend recreation spot by a small reservoir on army land. Places to relax with sticky rice, grilled meats and fish are numerous

Windsurfing is possible (first right after left turn at T junction on approach road 100 Bt./hour). Go clockwise as far as possible to reach the. Pleun Prai Restaurant. There you can have a fine catfish baked in silver foil - pla chon phao.

The Mae Sa Valley

Most travel companies have tours that visit the numerous attractions. The listing is from east to west on R1096.

Snakes & Orchids

The orchid farms have large collections of orchids, as well as sections where butterflies may be seen pupating. All farms have restaurants and shops selling orchid jewellery Along with other attractions, the orchid farms are found in the lower part of the valley

Wat Phra Non Rocket Festival

(H108 km4 east turn opposite provincial hall 600 m. Call TAT to confirm the date)

Rocket festivals are common in the sixth and seventh lunar months throughout the north and northeast of Thailand. They are held to herald the rain. Wat Phra Non hosts a festival on the day of the new moon of the 7th lunar month (June).

Contestants take rockets to the temple in the early morning to compete for prizes for the most artistic rocket. The rockets are launched in the afternoon from a site in scrub land just to the north of the 700 Year Sports Complex.

Local temples are represented by teams who compete for best launch and flight. Unlike other festivals which allow metal pipe, the rules only allow use of natural materials such as bamboo reinforced with hemp rope.

Contestants are friendly and often quite drunk; so if you are offered a drink of alcohol, the polite response is to accept at least a sip.

That Mok Falls

(km4 north turn 9km)
The sealed side road just before the gas station leads to a charming less visited waterfall. Past the falls the road is unsealed (4WD) and leads to Hmong villages.

Mae Sa Falls

6km S 400m

Doi Suthep-Pui National Park. (30 Bt. Vehicles, 10 Bt. adults)

Asphalt paths follow the stepped cascades that extend for almost two kilometres. Quiet, shady spots away from other people are easy to find during the week. Food stalls and a small visitor centre are located by the car park. The tumbling river may also be seen at other places higher up the valley.

Mae Sa Elephant Camp

(km10 Elephant shows at 0800 and 09:40; show only 80 Bt. Elephant treks every hour from 0700 to 1100. Ride prices per elephant max. 2 adults: 5-10 min. 80 Bt.; 30 min. 600 Bt.; 60 min. 800 Bt.; Tel: 297060.)

The Elephant show is good and the short ride offers the experience without pain to the pocket or the backside!

Queen Sirikit Botanical Garden

(km12 Visiting hours 0800-1730. Office Tel: 299753)

Semi paved walkways lead through grassy landscaped slopes where similar species are grouped. Occupying 3,500 rai (over l000 acres), the gardens have a boardwalk and a five kilometre nature trail. Vehicles are not allowed and some zones are restricted in keeping with the scientific purposes of the gardens. Founded in 1992 as a state enterprise under the Office of the Prime Minister. This is the first botanical gardens in the kingdom. They are being developed with advice from Kew Botanical Gardens in Great Britain and are becoming the major attraction in the valley.

Hmong Villages

The villages close to the valley are good examples of how the Hmong pursue the modern economy but keep their ways. Ban Nong Hoi (km15 north turn 7km 4WD needed to go extra 3 km to the more interesting Ban Nong Hoi Mai) has a royal project. A sealed road (km16 south turn 5km) goes through land used for flower cultivation. Further villages may be reached by dirt roads (4WD) at km23 & km26.

Pong Yaeng Elephant Camp

(km18 south turn -1.5 km Show times 09:15, 10:15. 100 Bt. Adults. Elephant rides from 1-6 hours at 1000 Bt. per hour Tel: 215943, 409198)

Located higher up the valley, the camp offers scenic rides. The lane past the camp continues to a Thai village (1 km) and then a dirt road into the hills (4WD).

Samoeng

The town has a small market and one main street with some wooden buildings and a prominent concrete bank. To the north and south narrow lanes pass through picturesque villages along the narrow valley.

Samoeng-Hang Dong

R1269 (43kms to Chiang Mai) The return journey along R1269 offers good views of the western side of Doi Suthep-Pui. In the broader part of the River Tha Chang Valley, luxury developments make this part of the valley look like a little Switzerland.

Where to eat and stay in Mae Rim, Mae Sa, Samoeng and Hang Dong

Mae Rim Area (H108)

Suan Dork Restaurant Hl08 km4 east turn opposite Provincial Hall 200 m Hrs: 1100-2200 Good food served in simple sala. Tel: 215748.

Mae Rim Lagoon Hotel 5511 Mu 6 Mae Rim-Samoeng Old Rd C M 5O180 Res hrs. 0700-2200 By peaceful private lake, quick access to city Tel: 297288-9

The Regent Resort Chiang Mai R1096 km 2 south turn - 400m Mae Rim-Samoeng Old Rd C M 50180 5ervice by electric carts, bathrooms with a view, video on command, private sala, Jacuzzi, herbal sauna, pro tennis coaching free mountain bikes - the most luxurious resort in the valley Tel: 298181-9 Fax 298190

Mae Sa Valley (R1096) listed east to west.

Mae Sa Valley Resort km13 Restaurant hrs 0700-2100 Huts cluster like a village above well tended gardens Tel: 290051-2 Fax 290017

Pongyang Garden Resort km4 4913 Mu 2, Pong Yang, Mae Rim, C.M 5O180 Restaurant hrs 0800-2000 Bungalows in groves and garden Very attractive setting in dip in valley below a cascade Tel: 879151-2 Fax: 879153

Kangsadal Resort km 18 south turn 1.5 km Restaurant hrs 0700-2200 Cabins overlook the valley from terraces on steep slope above cascades Tel: 252853.

Mount & Sky (Mon Doi lng Fa) km 15 north turn 250 m 24132 km 15 Mae Rim-Samoeng Rd Mae Rim, C M 50180 Pleasing wooden chalets in landscaped garden Tel: 879312-3, 879334-5 Fax 879313.

Samoeng Local restaurants offer basic food at the market place where people wait for passenger pick-ups that ply the dirt-roads.

Samoeng Guest House 800m from market on road to Wat Chan 19/5 Ban a Sala Samoeng C M 50250. Budget rooms close to the market Tel: 487O52-3 or ask at the market.

Samoeng Resort 2 km from market on road to Wat Chan 79 Mu2, Samoeng. C M 50250 Restaurant hrs 0700-2000. Occupies large grounds on the valley floor. The 'Tea for Two' restaurant is the most comfortable in 5amoeng Tel: 4B7O72, 487074 Fax 487O75

R1269 (Listed from Hang Dong to Samoeng)

Lanna Resort km 28 1 Mu 4. Hang Dong Samoeng Rd , C M 50230 Restaurant hrs. 0700-2100 Thai-style chalets in pretty resort in small hidden valley

Krisda Doi km 2590Mu 4. HangDong-Samoeng Rd , C M 5023O Restaurant hrs 0700-2100 Popular gardens with Swiss chalet- style buildings attracting many visitors at weekends Tel: 365231-4 Fax 365235.

Yord Doi Resort km 25 186 Mu 4, Hang Dong. Samoeng Rd , C M 5O230 Restaurant hrs 0600-2300 Balcony restaurant with good views east Cabins on slope Tel: 365253 Fax 365254.

Ban Klang Doi Hotel & Resort km23 190 Hang Dong-Samoeng Rd , C M 5O230 Restaurant hrs 0800- 2200 Peak Pub hrs 1600-2400 Luxurious resort in landscaped park Tel: 3653O6-7 Fax: Ex. 12.

Suan Bua Hotel & Resort km 22 158 Mu 3, Iambon Banpong, C M 5023O Longe modern two storey buildings set in landscaped gardens Full hotel service in the country. Tel: 365270-9 Fax 365280.

Belle Villa km19 135 Mu 5e Iambol Ban Pong, C M 50230 Res hrs 0700-2300 New resort ~ housing project in attractive setting across narrow floor of the valley Tel: 365318-21 Fax: 365322 (Map 18 & 19. Overnight. Starts on H107 at km35 Chiang Mai-Pai 131 km)

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