Soppong

Travel guide

Quicklinks
» Accommodation  » Food & Drink	» Sights & attractions  » Getting there & away

Interchangeably called Pang Mapah after the district name, Soppong is halfway between Pai and Mae Hong Son. The small market town serves the nearby hill tribe villages and, with a fine collection of guesthouses, Soppong is a good place to use as a base for exploring the surrounds.

If Pai is the party town, then Soppong is its quiet, nature-loving younger sibling, not allowed out after dark. Few tourist amenities aside of the guesthouses and their services are offered, but the surrounds are rich in attractions. For starters, the area is littered with caves, including the fantastic Tham Lod river-cave system. Then there are some good rafting and kayaking opportunities and the stunningly scenic hinterland is dotted with dozens of Lisu, Lahu, Karen and Shan villages, many of which can be visited on organised treks.

Tuesday is a good time to visit, as that's when the town comes alive with a local market. People of all ethnicities come from nearby villages to sell their wares and trade information and products, which come from as far as Bangkok.

Tuesdays aside, Soppong also has a far less "touristy" feel to it, so if you're wanting to escape the crowds and have a few slow days, you're in the right part of the world.

Soppong is at a slight elevation (around 700 metres), so evenings can get a bit chilly in the cool season from November to February, so bringing some warm clothing is a good idea.

 

Orientation
The bus stop is beside the market and convenience store on the southern side of Route 108 (the main road through town), while the small hospital, police station and ATM are all on the north side of the same road, on the other side of town. The post office is next to the market.

There are no money changing facilities in Soppong, but there is an ATM machine, so if you're primarily using traveller's cheques, make sure you're cashed up before you get here.

Soppong River Inn has complimentary WiFi for their guests and there's also WiFi at Border Bar and internet facilities at Little Eden.

Some confusion exists as to the correct name of this village so to clear that up here goes: the district is actually called Pang Mapha (of Mae Hong Son province), and the district administrative centre is the old Soppong village, which technically should now change it's name to Pang Mapha. However as it has been called Soppong for a long time many of the locals are reluctant to adopt the new name, hence you will still frequently see Pang Mapha referred to as Soppong.

Text and/or map last updated on 15th August, 2009.

Considering a tour to Thailand?



Add to scrapbook

 

 

  Search for accommodation

Search for guesthouses & hotels
where in Thailand?
Ao Nang Ao Phang Nga National Marine Park Ayutthaya Ban Chiang Ban Huay Kon Ban Krut Ban Phe Ban Toei Bang Saen Bang Saphan Yai Bangkok Betong Buriram Cha-am Chachoengsao Chanthaburi Chiang Dao Chiang Kham Chiang Khong Chiang Mai Chiang Rai Chiang Saen Chom Thong Chumphon Chumphon Beaches Damnoen Saduak Doi Inthanon Doi Khun Tan National Park Doi Phukha National Park Haad Nopphara Thara Hang Dong Hat Yai Hot Hua Hin Kamphaeng Phet Kanchanaburi Khao Lak Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park Khong Chiam Khun Yuam Ko Adang Ko Bulon Lae Ko Chang Ko Kham Ko Kho Khao Ko Kradan Ko Kut Ko Lanta Ko Lao Liang Ko Libong Ko Lipe Ko Maak Ko Muk Ko Mun Nork Ko Ngai Ko Pha Ngan Ko Phi Phi Ko Samet Ko Samui Ko Sukorn Ko Tao Ko Tarutao Ko Wai Ko Yao Noi Ko Yao Yai Krabi Lampang Lamphun Lopburi Mae Chaem Mae Hong Son Mae Na Chon Mae Sai Mae Salong Mae Sariang Mae Sot Muang Tam Mukdahan Mukdahan National Park Nakhon Pathom Nakhon Phanom Nakhon Ratchasima Nakhon Si Thammarat Nakhon Si Thammarat Beaches Nan Nan to Ban Huay Kon Narathiwat Nong Khai Nonthaburi Pai Pakbara Pattani Pha Taem National Park Phang Nga Town Phanom Rung Phattalung Phayao Phetburi Phibun Mangsahan Phimai Phitsanulok Phrae Phrao Phu Chee Fah Phu Lang Ka Phu Sa Dok Bua National Park Phuket Prachuap Khiri Khan Railay Beach Ranong Ratchaburi Sangkhlaburi Sanpatong Satun Soppong Sri Chiang Mai Sri Racha Sukhothai Sungai Kolok Surat Thani Surin Tak Tak Bai Thale Ban National Park That Phanom Thong Pha Phum Trang Trat Ubon Ratchathani Udon Thani Umphang Yala Yasothon

Sort results by:
Travelfish ranking (best first)
Price (cheapest first)
Name (A-Z)
Show only properties bookable online

 

Fresh off our Asia travel forum

Here are some discussions off the Travelfish forum, perhaps related to Soppong. You can find the full forum here.

Topic	Replies	Views
Car or minivan from Chiang Mai to Soppong?  In Thailand: by Louw, last reply by boleslav	3	494
caving:Soppong vs Chang Dao  In Thailand: by soQQuadro, last reply by soQQuadro	4	681
Pai or Soppong ?  In Thailand: by jojo	0	964
hiring a driver for travel between Chiang Mai and Soppong  In Thailand: by mrig, last reply by somtam2000	1	867
Soppong, Pai or Chiangdao?  In Thailand: by chris254, last reply by chris254	3	1161
how far Soppong is from Chang Mai  In Thailand: by woody, last reply by somtam2000	1	932

Soppong reviews

Backchat from the Travelfish community

Not a soul has had a thing to say about this place -- why don't you get the ball rolling?

Have your say