Soppong and Pang Mapha are located mid-way between Mae Hong Son and Pai. Pang Mapha is the northernmost district (Amphoe) of Mae Hong Son Province, northern Thailand.
A traveling market is set up every Tuesday morning along the road in the main market area, with hilltribe people (Lisu, Red and Black Lahu, Karen, and Hmong) coming down from the mountains to sell their produce and wares.
Far less touristy than overcrowded Pai just 50 kms away, its a nice little place to chill out for a few days – and less expensive.
Accommodation
Date: Friday 17th August 2012
Soppong & Pang Mapha Accommodation ranges from basic guesthouses, hotel accommodation to upmarket resorts.
BAAN RIM LANG
PHONE 086-9162647 085-3342373
BAAN CAFE NATURE RESORT
277 MOO 1, SOPPONG, PANGMAPHA, MAEHONGSON
PHONE 053-617081
CHARMING HOME
200/74 SOPPONG, PANGMAPHA, MAEHONGSON
CAVE LODGE
15 MOO 1, PANG MAPA, MAEHONGSON, 58150.
PHONE & FAX. 053-617203
JUNGLE GUESTHOUSE
200 MOO 1 SOPPONG, PANGMAPHA, MAEHONGSON
PHONE 053-617099
LITTLE EDEN GUESTHOUSE
295 TAMBON SOPPONG, PANGMAPHA, MAEHONGSON
PHONE 053-617054 FAX. 053-617053
LEMON HILLS HOUSE
123 MAEHONGSON-PAI ROAD, MAEHONGSON
PHONE 053-617231 053-617039 084-9480777
NORTHERN HILL GUESTHOUSE
339 MOO 1, TAMBON SOPPONG, PANGMAPA, MAEHONGSON
PHONE 053-617136 081-8814176 081-8832832 FAX. 053-617136
354 HOUSE
354 MOO 1, SOPPONG, PANGMAPHA, MAEHONGSON
PHONE 086-1920847
LISU HOMESTAY
PHONE 089-9984886 085-7211575
LISU LODGE
PHONE 083-5824496 083-0548497
RIM DOI BUNGALOWS
226/1 BAAN NA LUANG, TAMBON THAM LOD, MAEHONGSON
PHONE 089-5536041 089-8512890
ROCK GARDEN
PHONE 053-617133 081-9920233
SABAI COTTAGE
205 SOPPONG, PANGMAPHA, MAEHONGSON
PHONE –
SOPPONG RIVER INN
356 MOO 1, TAMBON SOPPONG, PANGMAPA, MAEHONGSON
PHONE 053-617107 081-2508425
PANGMAPHA HOSPITAL
240 MOO 1, TAMBON SOPPONG, AMPHUR PANGMAPHA, MAEHONGSON 58150
PHONE 053-611754 FAX. 053-611753
The History of Pang Mapha
Several prehistoric sites are known with in Pang Mapha area. The most famous one is the Spirit Cave, occupied from about 9000 till 5500 BC by Hoabinhian hunters and gatherers. Two other significant sites nearby are the Banyan Valley Cave and the Steep Cliff Cave. Much more recent are the coffin caves like Tham Lot.
During World War II the Japanese troops built a road from Pai to Mueang Mae Hong Son and further to Myanmar. Later people used the road for transportation and commercial, using Ban Sop Pong Mae Umong for the overnight stop. The government built a police station in the area that called Pangmapha in 1948. Later in 1977 the government improved the road, many people from other districts and provinces, hill tribes and refugees from Myanmar moved to the area. This created problems like drug trafficking and deforestation. To improve the administration of the area, the government created the Pang Mapha minor district (King Amphoe) on April 1 1987, by splitting the two tambon Soppong and Pang Mapha from Mueang Mae Hong Son district. It was upgraded to a full district on December 5, 1996.
*Source: Wikipedia
