If you’re looking for a small town that has lots of wooden houses on stilts and follows traditional ways, then head for Mae Chaem to the west of Doi Inthanon.
Its location, tucked away behind the country’s highest mountain, means that few people visit here, but there are some wonderful old temples and some reasonable accommodation too.
If you can time it right, the best time to visit Mae Chaem is in early February, when a festival is held to celebrate the town’s weaving tradition. The weavers here are particularly renowned for their teen jok work, which refers to the intricate designs on the hems of the local phasin (a wrap-around skirt). Check with the TAT for the exact dates.
Part of the fun of a visit to Mae Chaem is the journey there. You can either follow H108 south from Chiang Mai through Chom Thong and Hot, then turn right on H1088 after Ob Luang Gorge, or you can drive almost to the top of Doi Inthanon and branch left just before the summit and follow the winding road down the west side of the mountain.
While in town, you should check out Wat Pa Daet and Wat Yang Luang, which are both situated south of the town center and have some intriguing murals depicting local lifestyles. In town, you’re bound to spot some weavers at work underneath their wooden houses, and you can rest your head at either the Pong Sara Resort (tel: 053485067) or the Navasoung Resort (tel: 053828477; www.navasoungresort.com).
Getting There
By public transport, take a songthaew from Chiang Mai to Chom Thong, then another to Mae Chaem; the entire journey takes 3-4 hours. With a rented vehicle, the most exciting route is over the top of Doi Inthanon. Go south from Chiang Mai on H108, then go right on H1009, and near the summit of the mountain branch left on H1192. The nearest airport is in Chaing Mai.
Need to Know
- What is it? A small town that preserves traditional Thai culture and is famed for its weaving.
- When to go: February is best for the Teen Jok Festival.
- Where: It’s about 120km southwest of Chiang Mai.
- Address: At the junction of H1088 and H1192.