Thailand Volunteer Locations: Mae Hong Son

Welcome to ‘The Land of the Cloud Dream’, an epitaph that Mae Hong Son duly deserves. Waking up in Mae Hong Son one invariably witnesses the slow burning off of the night–ushered fog, which shrouds the lowlands and turns the various mountain peaks into verdant islands separated by the ethereal mist. The sleepy town of Mae Hong Son is nestled among the sharp slopes and valleys that characterize Thailand’s northwestern border region with Burma and is the economic and political focal point for the many different ethnic groups that live in the surrounding mountain valleys.

The area consists of densely forested mountains much of which is protected as a National Park. The towering limestone mountains have been weathered overtime to create amazing waterfalls and cave formations, a true spelunker’s paradise. Mae Hong Son is an ideal destination for those attracted to cultural and natural wonders. The lush mountain forests are some of the most beautiful in Southeast Asia making it an ideal destination for those for those interested in trekking, rafting, bird watching, elephant riding (the Karen people are renowned mahoots), etc.

Aside from the population of Thais living predominately within the town of Mae hong Son, the region is inhabited by several “Hill Tribes”. The rich natural surroundings of Mae Hong Son are largely intact and still support many distinct ethnic groups, that live in the remote mountain valleys; hunting, gathering and farming in the same manner as they have for eons. The Shan, Karen, Hmong, Lisu, Lahu, Akha, and Maew are separated into countless subgroups that have each managed to retain their distinct language, dress and way of life in the face of global cultural homogenization. You can read more about these groups at www.1stopchiangmai.com/culture/hill_tribes/.

The serene atmosphere existing in Mae Hong Son is unfortunately in stark contrast to the fate of those living on the other side of the border in Burma. The political and economic hardships existing in neighboring Burma have forced several groups, particularly the Shan and Karen into an ongoing brutal war as they try and preserve the integrity of their way of life and the boundaries of their homeland against the brutal repression of Burma’s military regime.

The Thai-Burmese border, an arbitrary line denoted by the colonial powers hundreds of years ago, has created a dichotomy of fortunes for those ethnic groups that exist on both sides and has led to a steady stream of refugees crossing into Thailand in order to escape the violence. The desperate plight in which many Burmese exist, has only been tragically exacerbated by the recent cyclone Nargis. There are two huge UNHCR refugee camps in the province of Mae Hong Son, and many Burmese are forced to enter Thailand illegally, living off of very small margins as migrant laborers.

Volunteer Programs in Mae Hong Son

Travel to Teach work with a local Thai school and in an orphanage for Burmese refugees. Our volunteers work 3 days a week (Mon, Wed, Fri) in a the local school where most of the orphanage children attend. The English teaching program was setup by the Burmese owner of the orphanage with the intention of helping both Burmese and local Thai children. This helps to improve the orphanages standing with the local Thai community as there can be bad feeling towards programs seen to be only helping refugees.

Three nights a week we hold a conversational English class for college Tourism students (some Burmese and some Thai). They have been studying Tourism and English for four years, but have little opportunity to speak English. Teaching is heaps of fun and involves lots of roll plays. We can see the students confidence and their spoken English improving and this is going to help them hugely with employment opportunities when they graduate.

In the evenings and on weekends our volunteers work at the local Burmese orphanage. This mostly involves playing games with the kids and giving them lots of attention. There are only 3 staff at the orphanage and most of there time is taken up with things like cooking and running the orphanage and they don't have time to give the kids the attention they need.

Volunteer Programs in Mae Hong Son
Teaching English
Summer Camps

General Mae Hong Son Info

Accommodation
Volunteers will stay in a comfortable and quiet guesthouse located in the center of Mae hong Son town. The ideal location allows volunteers convenient access to all parts of the town and is adjacent to the large lake and park that acts as Mae Hong Son’s aesthetic crown jewel. Our rooms are simple but clean and comfortable, many rooms have a view of the nearby central lake and towering wat at the top of Mae Hong Son’s acropolis. Furthermore, the residence has several “common areas” where you can peacefully sit and work. Free internet is available in the internet room as well as WIFI should volunteers wish to bring a laptop.

Food
In the evening there is a food market on the banks of the central lake opposite the volunteer residence. There is a small community of westerners, mainly connected to the UNICEF, International Rescue and other relief organizations that work in the area, consequently western food is available, as well as many options for Thai food including traditional northern dishes like Kao Soi and Miang Kam. Eating Thai food will cost around 30 bath/meal, while western food will cost approximately 70-120 bath/meal.

Weather
Due to its elevation, MHS is considerably cooler than most of Thailand. Although still hot during the day (17 to 25 degrees in the November to January, the cool season, and above 30 degrees during the March and April, the hot season) temperatures will often drop up to 10 degrees at night particularly in the cold season. The cooler climate has many advantages, making the days far less humid during the day and discouraging mosquitoes.

Activities
MHS offers plenty of opportunity for adventure and sight seeing. There is climbing, hiking, tubing or rafting down the Pai River, elephant riding, and mountain biking. Volunteers can explore numerous waterfalls and hot springs and caves. There places of interest for sightseers including the infamous ‘Coffin Caves’, the Pangtong Royal Palace and the Long-neck Karen villages.

How to get to Mae Hong Son.
MHS, is a 5-6 hour minivan ride from Chiang Mai. Public buses to Mae Hong Son leave from Chiang Mai´s Arcade bus station several times per and costs 160 baht. The recommended minivan service also leaves from the Chiang Mai bus station and tickets cost around 250 baht.

You can also fly from Chiang Mai to MHS. Both Thai Air and Nok Air operate two flights a day. Tickets will cost around 1,500 Baht and the ride take little more than a half an hour.

A Travel to Teach representative will meet you at the bus station/airport in MHS and spend the first few days together with you in MHS where you will get acquainted with the projects and the town. We will show you around the town and introduce you to Thai culture and language. When you have chosen a project we will prepare you for your placement, going through material, discussing lesson plans, work tasks and techniques.

Getting Around Mae Hong Song.
Mae Hong Son downtown only consists of a few crossroads and can be easily walked or biked around there are a few tuk-tuks that can taxi you to points of interest. Motorbikes or bikes can be rented for excursions and private transportation can be arranged on request.

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