The rainy season has passed, and the time for the cold wind has arrived! Do you have any plans to brave the cold wind? Are you interested in "Pang Ma Pha"?

Continuing from the previous episode... (Journey in 2016)

After driving from Chiang Mai along Highway 1095, passing through Pai District, we stopped to take pictures of the historic Pai Bridge. We tried the Yunnan food at Santichon Village and sat down to enjoy the panoramic view of the mountains at Doi Giw Lom. Finally, we arrived at Pang Ma Pha District.

What's interesting here... Follow me, guys!!

Pang Ma Pha District is located 64 kilometers from Mae Hong Son city. "Pang Ma Pha" comes from the word "Ma Pha" or "Mak Pha" in Tai or Shan language, the majority of the hill tribe people who live there are Tai, Musoe, and Lisu.

We departed from Chiang Mai a little early in the morning, as we planned to make several stops along the way. By the time we reached the town of Pang Ma Pha, it was almost five o'clock in the evening, and the air was starting to cool down.

Upon arriving here, the scenery was quite different. Last night, I stayed in downtown Chiang Mai, which was bustling with cars and people. Unlike here, it's incredibly peaceful and quiet! I wish I could stay here longer.

"The Rock Pang Ma Pha", our accommodation for tonight. It seems that there are only 2 guest rooms occupied. Fortunately, our rooms are next to each other. 555+++

The room is lovely and clean.

The resort is conveniently located on the main road, opposite the Pang Ma Pha Police Station. If you are coming from Pai, it will be on your left-hand side. From the resort, you can easily reach the market by car or on foot. If you prefer to walk, it is a pleasant stroll of less than 1 kilometer.

Despite its small size, Pang Ma Pha offers a variety of dining options, including 7-Eleven stores and local restaurants serving made-to-order dishes. However, food availability may be limited in the evenings.

Every Tuesday morning, a vibrant hill tribe market, known as "Tuesday Market," comes alive. This market is exclusive to Tuesdays and features an array of goods brought down from the mountains by various hill tribes. From fresh produce and hand-woven textiles to intricate handicrafts, the market offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region. The market bustles with activity from early morning until around noon, when vendors pack up their wares.

Fortunately, we arrived on a day when the market was open. We should go to bed early so we can visit the market tomorrow. The weather is getting colder, it's already chilly!

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... You won't need an alarm clock here, the roosters will wake you up before dawn with their crowing. 555+++ ...

The weather today is around 17 degrees Celsius, which is quite chilly for us. It's good though, as it will be comfortable to walk around the market. Let's go and explore the market, shall we? By now, the hill tribe people must have started setting up their stalls.

I have arrived at the market! I am amazed by the variety of colorful vegetables that the hill tribe people have brought to sell.

Hill tribe sarong

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An abundance of fresh vegetables. If I were going straight home, I would definitely buy some, but I have several more places to visit. I'll just browse for now.

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Everyone is welcome to sell their goods, regardless of quantity.

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In addition to various fresh vegetables, there is another popular food with a long queue. It is a local dish of the Tai or Shan people called "Thua Phulu Aun". However, I didn't get to try it, so I don't have any pictures to share. I only have pictures of fried Thua Phulu. Haha!!

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The appearance of fried winged beans with dipping sauce is similar to that of fried tofu.

I didn't get to try the taste, but I took some pictures for you!

The bustling atmosphere of the market today was filled with both locals and tourists. People from the mountains came down to buy goods, while those from the lowlands purchased fresh vegetables and produce recently harvested from the highlands. The sight was a charming glimpse into the local way of life, making me wonder if I've already fallen in love with this place.

The captivating lifestyle of the locals is not the only reason to fall head over heels for this place. There are countless attractions that will leave you utterly smitten! (Why the high-pitched voice?) Let's explore them!

After exploring the Kad Nat market to your heart's content, it's time to head out on an adventure. Our first stop is Tham Lod, also known as Tham Nam Lod, located 9 kilometers from Pang Ma Pha town. It's best to visit in the morning to avoid the heat.

"Tham Nam Lod" is located within the Pai River Wildlife Sanctuary. Its name, which translates to "Flowing Water Cave," originates from the "Nam Lang" stream that flows through the cave from one end to the other.

The Lod Cave is a complex of three interconnected caves, requiring approximately 1.5 to 2 hours to explore. Due to the significant darkness within the caves, a guide is mandatory for all visitors. Additionally, it is highly recommended to bring a flashlight for enhanced visibility.

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The entrance fee includes the cost of admission, the raft (which can accommodate 3-4 people), the guide, and the lamp, totaling 450 baht (for 2 people). Initially, I thought it was expensive, but after entering, I realized that it was worth the price.

Now that we are all ready, let's head inside the cave!

The cave entrance.

The first cave we will enter is the "Stone Pillar Cave," a 300-meter walk adorned with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites. We will then take a raft across the water to the mouth of the cave. Inside, we will find large, pillar-shaped rocks that resemble the cave's supporting columns.

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After that, we walked back to the raft to go to the second cave, "Doll Cave." This cave is just like its name, the rocks in the cave have strange shapes and there are ancient paintings. By the way, this cave is the most brutal, we have to climb stairs that are both very steep and very high.

Can you see the frog rock? It looks like one, doesn't it?

Hanuman Stone

It's like a floating request, isn't it!! 555++ It's a crocodile stone, haha!!

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This is a "maiden's breast" stone.

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After exploring the strangely shaped rocks, we boarded a raft pulled by villagers. This provided a welcome break from walking. During the journey, we spotted schools of fish swimming into the cave. You can even feed them! Fish food is available for purchase at the cave entrance.

The last cave, "Phi Man Cave," contains ancient artifacts and a teak coffin believed to have been used to bury an ancient human. It is estimated to be nearly 2,000 years old.

The guide explained that the first and second caves were used as dwellings, while the third cave served as a burial site. The third cave is considered the most eerie.

An authentic antique teak coffin, guaranteed genuine! (According to the tour guide)

After exploring all three caves, we had to take a raft to the mouth of the cave. On the way back, our guide, Auntie, took over the raft, and another person helped pull it, as they had to pull against the current. I felt sorry for the person pulling the raft, so I tried to make myself as light as possible to reduce their effort. I don't know if it worked, though. 555+++

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Water from the Lang River flows into the cave.

If you have the opportunity to visit this place, you will agree with us that the entrance fees are well worth it. Moreover, it helps to generate income for the local community. (It instantly makes it look better! 555++)

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Besides the Tham Nam Lod cave, there is another place that you should not miss or not go to. Otherwise, you will be considered not arriving. Ta-da!! "Ban Ja Bo" here. Hehe!!

After exiting Tham Nam Lod Cave, follow Highway 1095 towards Mae Hong Son. Turn right towards Ban Mae Lana. After approximately 3 kilometers, you will reach a noodle shop with a view that rivals any in the world. This is because you are in Thailand, a country renowned for its breathtaking scenery.

The restaurant was closed when I arrived, but that's okay. Even without trying the noodles, the view alone was amazing. However, if you want to see the sea of mist, you'll need to wake up early to catch it in the morning.

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Despite the strong sunshine, the weather is surprisingly pleasant. Visiting in November is ideal, as the temperature is comfortable and there are fewer tourists, allowing for uninterrupted photo opportunities. It almost feels like having the viewpoint all to oneself. (Is that an exaggeration?)

Our journey to Pang Ma Pha isn't over yet. There's another must-visit spot: Tham Pla - Pha Sua Waterfall National Park. We'll be exploring Tham Pla Cave for now, leaving the waterfall for another adventure.

Tham Pla: A Natural Wonder in Mae Hong Son

Tham Pla, meaning "Fish Cave," is a captivating natural wonder located along Highway 1095, approximately 18 kilometers before reaching the heart of Mae Hong Son city. Situated conveniently in front of the Tourist Service Center, the cave offers a delightful experience for visitors.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a vibrant array of shops selling delicious food and unique souvenirs. The cave is open to the public from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM, providing ample time to explore its wonders.

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The fish here have a legend. The legend says that the fish that live in this area are sacred. If anyone catches a fish here, they will suffer misfortune. To this day, no one dares to catch the fish that live here.

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The fish cave is a cavity located beneath the foothills. The fish that inhabit this area include the climbing perch, the catfish, and the featherback.

A very large fish.

The path to Tham Pla cave is approximately 400 meters long and is surrounded by lush vegetation, providing ample shade. However, if you wish to visit Pha Seu waterfall as well, you will need to follow the road from Ban Moak Champae to Phra Tamnak Pang Tong. Due to time constraints, we will only visit Tham Pla cave on this occasion.

The journey out of Tham Pla Cave took almost four hours, ending just as the afternoon sun began to set. Our next destination was Doi Kong Mu Temple in Mae Hong Son city, where we planned to witness the breathtaking sunset.

A 20-minute drive from this point will take you to the city center of Mae Hong Son. During the tourist season, the walking street is open every day, but during the off-season, it is only open on Saturdays and Sundays. Luckily for us, it was open.

We will stay in Mae Hong Son city for one night and then continue our journey to explore the city.

......I will tell you again later......

...concluding with an image of Doi Kong Mu Temple, the sacred temple of Mae Hong Son. That's all for now...

Pang Ma Pha ... Although it is just a small town in the middle of a valley, a passage for many people, it is still a town worth exploring in our opinion. ... Passing through Mae Hong Son, try to stay in Pang Ma Pha for a night, and you will know what the true nature of life is like.

Thank you http://www.Amphoe.com

Read the story "Travelogue" at http://toonnstory.blogspot.com.

The end.

See you at the next station... the city of three mists...!!!!

Thank you for stopping by to read.

...Thank you...