Pang Mapha Historical Site

Address: Pang Mapha District, Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand

Soppong, often referred to as Pang Mapha (the name of the local district), is a small but thriving market town halfway between Pai and Mae Hong Son. The caving and trekking among the surrounding limestone hills is superb, and there are some reasonable places to stay.

The highlights of a visit are the colourful ethnic hill tribes and the extensive limestone cave systems that dot the area. Several Shan, Karen, Lahu and Lisu villages lie within walking distance of town, and most are used to visitors and happy to welcome them; resorts and guest houses can arrange a guide if you need one. The region around Soppong is thought to hold one of the highest concentrations of limestone caves in the world, many with chambers as large as cathedrals, which makes it something of a mecca for cave enthusiasts. Nearby Tham Lod Cave is among the biggest caves in Thailand, and you can enter and exit by different routes on a bamboo raft or even a kayak.

The town itself consists of a single street, Highway 1095, with only a few hundred inhabitants and little of interest, so the appeal lies entirely in the surrounding caving and trekking. It is far quieter than the scene in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai or Pai: rather than choosing between hundreds of trekking agents, you simply pick a place to stay and they arrange a route and guide. Many people visit on a day trip from Pai, less than a couple of hours away, but there are acceptable resorts and guest houses if you want to stay over - just do not expect much in the way of shopping, dining or nightlife.

Pang Mapha is reached via Highway 1095 and local roads from Mae Hong Son town (about 60-80 km). Buses and songthaews run regionally but schedules are irregular; many visitors travel by rented motorbike or organised transfer.

• Pang Mapha is a base for spelunking - book reputable guides for cave trips, especially if visiting tight or technically challenging caverns.
• Sunset viewpoints above the karst offer dramatic silhouettes; get there early to secure a place.
• If staying in local guesthouses, ask hosts about cave conditions and the best local restaurants; recommendations tend to be excellent.