Thai Yai Architectural Style Although a part of
the Lanna region, indigenous Thai Yai or Tai people living
there are faced with very cold weather during winter and
extremely hot weather in the summer, with mist or fog practically
throughout the whole year. Not surprisingly they have had
to adapt to the environment. As a result, their architectural
style has developed into something different from other
Lanna communities. Their living quarters are usually built
with tall floors and low roofs, the sizes differing according
to one's social status and position. Homes of the ordinary
folks are usually with one single level of roof, while those
of the local aristocrats have two or more levels forming
a castle-like shape. The space thus provided is believed
to help air circulation. An interesting feature of the Thai
Yai style is the perforated designs along the eaves which
are an architectural identity of the area.
Phraya Sihanatracha Memorial commemorates first
Chao Muang (governor) of Mae Hong Son. A Thai Yai native
from Burma, he was regarded by the people as the governor
of Khun Yuam, which as to the south of Mae Hong Son. Later,
he was officially installed as the Chao Muang of Mae Hong
Son by the King of Lanna in 1874.
Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu located on a hill to the
west of town, is a major provincial landmark. There are
two Burmese-style Chedis. The larger one was built in 1860
while the smaller one was erected in 1874. A panoramic view
of Mae Hong Son can be enjoyed from the site.
At the foot of Doi Kong Mu is Wat Phra Non which
houses a 12-metre long Reclining Buddha in the Thai Yai
style cast in 1875 by Phra Nang Miah, wife of Phraya Sihanatracha.
Another main feature of the temple is the two large sculpted
lions lying side by side presumably providing the passage
for those going up to pay homage to the Kong Mu Holy Relic
on the hill.
Opposite Wat Phra Non is Wat Kam Ko an old temple
built in 1890. A special architectural feature is the cover
over the entrance arch to the Burmese-style Wihan. It also
stores text in Thai Yai script chronicling the Thai Yai
history.
Wat Hua Wiang or Wat Klang Muang on Sihanat Bamrung
Road next to the Morning Market was built in 1863. It houses
the Phra Chao Pharalakhaeng, a Buddha statue dressed in
beautiful attire. It is a replica of a major statue in Mandalay,
Myanmar.
An old temple, Wat Chong Kham is located on the
bank of the swamp Nong Chong Kham and was built in 1827
by Thai Yai artisans. The pillars are gilded in golden flakes.
The temple houses a large Buddha statue with a lap width
of 4.85 metres cast by Burmese craftsmen. The principal
statue is another statue which is a replica of the statue
in Wat Suthat in Bangkok.
Next to Wat Chong Kham is Wat Chong Klang where
a replica of the Phra Phutthasihing is installed on an altar.
There are several interesting items such as wooden figurines
of human and animals depicted in the Phra Vejsandon Jakata
(pronounced Cha-dok which means one of odd stories of former
incarnations of the Buddha) created by Burmese craftsmen
and brought over in 1857, paintings on glass about the Jakata
and on Prince Prince Siddhartha, as well as on the ways
of life of the time. The captions are in Burmese. There
are also notations that the paintings were by Thai Yai artisans
from Mandalay.
OUT-OF-CITY ATTRACTIONS:
The Pha Bong Hot Spring is located on Highway No.108,
about 11 kilometres from town. There are facilities for
mineral water bath for health purpose.
About 17 kilometres from town on Highway No. 1095 (Mea
Hong Son-Pai) is Tham Pla Forest Park The surrounding
areas are books and cool hilly forests suitable for relaxation.
A special feature is the hollow cave filled with fish fish.
The fish are quite safe from being caught as believed to
belong to the goods.
Namtok Pha Sua is in Tambon Mo Champae about 17
kilometres from the provincial seat on Route 1095 to Pai
district with a left turn at Ban Rak Thai village. The waterfall
is a further twenty kilometres from the village. It is a
large fall with its water source in Myanmar. Pha Sua runs
full during the late rainy season (August-September).
Another five kilometres further on along the path to high
hill are the hilltribe village of Na Pa Paek and Mae Or
on the Thai-Burmese border. |
The
Tham Lot Forest Park is situated in a forest in Pang
Mapha district some 77 kilometres from town. Here nature
has created an exotic subterranean wonder of darkness and
mystery. A brook runs from the cave mouth through to the
other side of the mountain. It is a route where visitors
may travel by raft or by foot to explore the 1 kilometre-long
cave along which can be found beautiful stalactites and
stalagmites. Also discovered are 2,000 year old remains
of utensils and coffins. There are services provided by
villagers to guide visitors in their exploration.
Another site
where stalactite and stalagmites can be found is the Mae
Lana Cave. The stream inside the cave is habitat to
eyeless and colourless fish that live in a dark environment.
Rafting along
the Mae Pai is an exciting and delightful recreation.
Mae Pai itself is the longest river of Mae Hong Son originating
from mountain ranges in Laos which flows through Pai district
of the province and eventually joins the Salawin river in
Myanmar, a total distance of 180 kilometres. With an average
depth of some 7 metres, the river bed is mainly pebbled.
There are several sectors eminently suitable for rafting
past rapids and natural scenery including beautiful waterfalls.
Tour operators in Mae Hong Son town or in Pai district can
provide the necessary service, some are also able to provide
elephant rides. The best time for rafting is from October
to March.
Mae Ngao River
is a good water route for shooting the rapids. Adventure
travel tourists can enjoy the unspoiled scenery along the
river banks. Services available from tour operators in Mae
Hong Son.
At Km. 65 on
the Pai-Mae Malai route (No. 1095), there is a turning leading
to the headquarters of the Huai Nam Dang National Park.
Visitors can spend the night in tents to wait for the spectacular
views of sunrise and mist-shrouded mountain views in the
morning. Cherry blossom during January adds charms to the
attraction.
The Tha Pai
Hot Spring two kilometres off Route 1095 at KM. Marker
87, has an average temperature of Celsius. Steam from the
spring permeates the site in the morning creating fascinating
sights. The area is also rich in teak woods and suitable
for overnight camping.
The Khun Yuam
lndigenous Cultural Centre located at Km. 200 on Highway
No 108 has a considerable collection of Thai Yai and other
hilltribes handcrafted products. lt also displays military
accessories and equipment of the Japanese army which entered
Khun Yuam district during World War ll.
Wat To Phae
is located 7 kilometres from Khun Yuam having a large beautiful
Burmese-style Wihan. According to the legend it is said
that raft assembling people used to gather up in this area
prior to making a teak trees raft trip to the marketing
places.
The Dok Bua Tong
on Doi Mae U-kho blooms during November painting
the entire Khum Yuam district in brilliant yellow drawing
flocks of visitors to the area. A camping site is located
about 26 kilometres from the district town on Highway No
1263. A little further on is a huge waterfall, the Mae Surin
cascading one hundred metres down below. Here camping can
also be set up.
Covering an area
of 721 square Kilometres the Salawin National Park
is on the bank of the Salawin river on the Thai-Burmese
border about 164 kilometres south of Mae Hong Son. Transport
can be hired to travel to Mae Sam Laep village and proceed
on hired boat to reach the park headquarters. Scenery along
the Salawin banks is captivating with forest and mountains
and dotted with small hamlets. On the sandy beach in front
of the headquarters camping is permitted. |
Poi Sang Long Procession
is in fact the celebration of novice ordination which the Thai
Yai tribe people hold to be a highly meritorious occasion. Traditionally,
the candidate-novice, his head cleanly shaven and wrapped with
head-cloth in the Burmese style, will don a prince-like garment
and put on valuable jewels and games, and ride a horse or be carried
over the shoulders of a man to the city shrine. Then he will visit
abbots of various monasteries to beg for forgiveness. On the ordination
eve, a procession of offerings will be paraded through the town
streets and then placed at the monastery where the ordination
will take place the next day. It is usually held during March-May
before the Buddhist Rain Retreat period.
Chong Phara Procession
The Chong Phara in the Thai Yai dialect means a castle made of
wood. Covered with colourful perforated papers and decorated with
fruits, flags and lamps. It is placed in the courtyard of a house
or a monastery as gesture to welcome the Lord Buddha on his return
from giving sermons to his mother in heaven, according to traditional
belief. The rite is held during the post rain retreat season from
the full-moon day of the 11 the Lunar month (around October) to
the waxing moon night of the same month.
Other activities to
celebrate the occasion include dances where performers are dressed
in animal costumes. This is based on the belief that during those
long-gone days, both humans and the animal kingdom were equally
joyful of the return of the Lord Buddha and therefore joined in
a jubilant performance as tribute of the Enlightened One.
Bua Tong Blossom
Festival Each year in November, the hillsides of Khun Yuam
and Mae Sariang districts are filled with a host of golden Bua
Tong Blossoms. As gay as a daisy and almost as large as a sunflower,
the Bua Tong only blossoms for a month.
At Doi Mae U-Kho, the
blossoms appear profusely. Finally, the golden blooms become part
of the scene. Some specialists have classified these Bua Tong
as weeds and because of this, they may be cleared to make way
for cash crops. Fortunately a group of researchers have discovered
the flower's insect-repellent properties. And perhaps that is
why the Bua Tong, a symbol of Mae Hong Son, is still preserved
on the hillsides.
Loi Krathong Festival
is held on the full moon night in the month of November every
year. Villagers make "krathongs" to float in rivers.
At Nong Chong Kham, various entertainments and a contest of large
krathongs are held near the central pond. Lamps and candles are
lit all around the area. Moreover, at Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu,
there is a ceremony of releasing candle-lit krathongs bound with
balloons to the sky (known as "Loi Krathong Sawan")
Being in a cool valley
Mae Hong Son is suitable for tea-growing. The main area of tea
plantations is at Ban Rak Thai, a border village. In February,
a Tea-Tasting Fair is held. Visitors can ride on horses to view
the surroundings and performances by the villagers who are descended
from Yunnan Chinese. The traditional headgear called "Kup"
worn by the Tai is wide-brimmed with taper top. Together with
bamboo blinds and Karen woven fabrics, they are quite popular
items to buy among visitors. |
Nestled in a
deep valley hemmed in by high mountain ranges, Mae Hong Son has long
been isolated from the outside world. Virtually covered with mist throughout
the year, the name refers to the fact that its terrain is highly suitable
for the training of elephants. Former governors of Chiang Mai used to
organise the rounding up of wild elephants which were then trained before
being sent to the capital for work. Today, Mae Hong Son is one of the
"dream destinations" for visitors who are attracted by its
cultural and natural wonders.
