Mae Hong Son

Mae Hong Son is a remote, mountainous province in northern Thailand, bordering Myanmar (Burma). Though sparsely populated, it’s ethnically diverse and home to hill tribes such as the Shan and Hmong. The capital, also called Mae Hong Son, is a gateway to the region’s hills. It’s overlooked by Wat Phrathat Doi Kongmu, a Burmese-style monastery with 2 ornate white chedis (stupas) built in the 19th century.Neighboring provinces are (clockwise from north) Shan State of Myanmar, Chiang Mai and Tak. To the west, the province borders Kayin State and Kayah State of Myanmar. Mae Hong Son’s nickname is “the city of three mists”. It is hemmed in by the high mountain ranges of the Shan Hills and is the most mountainous province in Thailand, occupying 12,681 square kilometres (4,896 sq mi).The province is often covered with mist. Mae Hong Son town was originally established in the early 19th century as an elephant training camp as ordered by the then King of Chiang Mai. As of 2012 Mae Hong Son was the poorest province in Thailand.