Pai
https://thaiwaysmagazine.com/pattaya/attractions/the-most-visited-places/38-thailand/655-mae-hong-son-the-land-of-three-mists.html#sigProIdc40b716681
Mae Hong Son or the Land of Three Mists is located in the northwesternmost part of Thailand, bordering Chiang Mai in the east, Tak in the south, and the Union of Myanmar in the west and north. It has an area of 12,681 sq km and a population of 236,993 (end 2001). The climate is cool all year round. It is known as the land of three mists because it is shrouded in mist most of the time in the whole year, no matter whether it is the hot, rainy or cool season.
Until the early 19th century, the whole region was only inhabited seasonally by small numbers of Shan people from the Burmese border, who moved from place to place without permanent dwellings. Then, around 1831, in the reign of King Rama III, the King of Chiang Mai sent one of his governors named Chao Kaeo to the western jungles to catch wild elephants. It was only then that the widely scattered Shan tribesmen were organized into two villages. One of them was called Mae Rong Son, meaning the village with a stream for training elephants. The name was later changed to Mae Hong Son and became the name of the province.
The population of the province consists mainly of Shans (who call themselves Thai Yai) and Lanna (i.e. northern) Thais.
It also includes some Karens, Mountain Thais, Hmongs, Luas, Lahus and Lisus. Among these, the Padaung tribe (a branch of Karens) is most amazing, for the women of the tribe have a tradition of wearing numerous brass rings round their necks, as well as their wrists and ankles, making their necks look exceptionally long, just like some African women.
Mae Hong Son has several tourist attractions, both natural and cultural. Being mountainous, the province has many waterfalls and caves. Some interesting ones are: Mae Surin Falls National Park The waterfall is about 100 m high.
It is probably the highest waterfall of Thailand and is considered one of the most beautiful in the country. Phasua Falls, located in the Phasua Forest Park, is large and always full of water. The luxuriant mountain forests and the peaceful surroundings attract a large number of tourists to visit there every day.
Caves in the province are also worth visiting. Of these, two are prominent -- Tham Lot and Tham Pla. Tham Lot is a large cave about 20 m wide and 50 m high, full of stalagmites and stalactites. One cannot walk through the entire length of the cave (about 1 km) without a lamp because the cave is very dark inside. There was a discovery of some ancient utensils around 2,000 years ago in the cave. Tham Pla or Fish cave is so called because the stream inside the cave, which is only 2 m wide and 1.5 m deep, is full of big fishes all year round. They never go elsewhere, though there is nothing to stop them from swimming up or down the stream. And nobody dares to harm them, because people believe that they belong to the god of mountains and forests.
Thung Buatong is a place you should never miss. If you travel from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son by Highway 108 in the period from November to December, about one hour after passing Khunyuam county, you will be fascinated to see a sea of golden Mexican sunflowers (Tithonia Diversifolia) blooming along both sides of the road over the rolling hills for miles.
These wild flowers, called Buatong in the northern dialect, look exactly like sunflowers but are much smaller. There is a lesser Thung Buatong in Mae Sariang county, also along Highway 108.
