Nestled in the misty mountains of northern Thailand, close to the Myanmar border, lies the picturesque village of Ban Rak Thai. Also known as Mae Aw, this serene settlement is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Originally founded by Chinese Kuomintang soldiers who fled to Thailand after the Chinese Civil War, Ban Rak Thai (literally “the Thai-loving village”) exudes a unique blend of Thai and Yunnanese culture, making it a fascinating destination for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience.
Surrounded by lush tea plantations and a tranquil lake, Ban Rak Thai offers a break from the hustle and bustle of urban life. You’ll be greeted with stunning views of terraced tea fields, charming mud-brick houses, and the soothing aroma of freshly brewed tea. The village’s high altitude also provides a cool climate year-round, which could be a nice break from the usual Thai heat. It’s also the reason for the spectacular phenomenon happening in Ban Rak Thai every morning.
What phenomenon?
You’ll have to keep reading!
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In this blog post, I will dig into the enchanting allure of Ban Rak Thai. I’ll tell you how to get there, how many days you need, and present the best things to do. Whether you are a tea enthusiast, a hidden gems fanatic or simply in search of tranquility, Ban Rak Thai promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of northern Thailand’s natural beauty.
How to visit Ban Rak Thai – Thailand’s hidden gem!
Let’s start with the basics…
Where is Ban Rak Thai?
Ban Rak Thai is located in the Mae Hong Son Province of northern Thailand, near the Thailand-Myanmar border. This picturesque village is situated about 45 km (27 miles) northwest of Mae Hong Son city and is nestled in the mountains at an altitude of approximately 1,776 meters (5,827 feet) above sea level.
When is the best time to visit Ban Rak Thai?
The ideal time to visit Ban Rak Thai is from November to February, when the weather is cool, and the morning mist adds a magical touch to the scenery.
How to get to Ban Rak Thai?
Short answer: by car!
That’s the easiest and the most convenient way. Having been twice to Ban Rak Thai by car, I can tell you that it’s totally doable. The road is wide enough, well marked and paved. It is very windy and curvy though, so if you suffer from travel sickness I’d recommend taking a pill.
I travelled to Ban Rak Thai from Chiang Mai (with a night stopover in Pai). In theory, you could do this journey in one go, but I wouldn’t. It takes a long time and because of the road’s curviness, it’s tiring for the driver. I usually had enough of driving by the time I got to Pai.
The distances and the time are as follows:
- Chiang Mai – Ban Rak Thai: around 250 km (155 miles), 5-5.5h of driving;
- Pai – Ban Rak Thai: around 120 km (75 miles), 2.5-3h of driving;
- Mae Hong Son – Ban Rak Thai: around 45 km (28 miles), 1h of driving.
Speaking of Chiang Mai, don’t forget to check out my Chiang Mai local’s guide, where I share all the things worth doing and all the places worth visiting. Including some hidden gems!
If you don’t feel confident enough to drive there on your own, there’s also a bus from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son. It goes daily from Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station. Keep in mind, that it’s a minibus though. It will be small and uncomfortable for such a long journey. Prempacha transport run several of these minbuses each day. They do stop in Pai as well.
From Mae Hong Son or Pai, you can arrange a taxi, private transfer or use public transport.
Little note:
I found the information online, that there’s a direct bus from Chiang Mai to Ban Rak Thai. I did go to the Chiang Mai Bus Station to check it out, but none of the operators were offering trips directly to Ban Rak Thai.
Unfortunately, there is NO train station near Ban Rak Thai. The closest one is in…Chiang Mai.
The closest airport is in Mae Hong Son, with daily flights from Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
A lot of people visit Ban Rak Thai as part of the Mae Hong Son loop. It’s a famous circular route through the mountains of northern Thailand, connecting Chiang Mai, Pai, Mae Hong Son, and other scenic spots. Known for its lush landscapes, mountain views and cultural stops, the loop is especially popular among motorcyclists. The full loop is approximately 600 kilometers (around 373 miles) and includes over 1,800 curves.
So yes, if you feel brave and confident with your scooter driving skills, getting to Ban Rak Thai on a scooter is also an option. But that’s a few days trip then.
Do you feel like scooting? Don’t forget to get travel medical insurance! Nomad insurance from SafetyWing includes coverage for motorcycle and scooter accidents.
Can I visit Ban Rak Thai as a day trip?
Yes. You can do it as a day trip from Pai or Mea Hong Son. You can either grab a minibus from Pai, a songthaew (a yellow truck) from Mea Hong Son, hire a driver or go on an organized tour. Well, you can also drive or scoot yourself. Again, I wouldn’t do a day trip to Ban Rak Thai from Chiang Mai – it would be too tiring!
But I really think, that to make the most of Ban Rak Thai experience you have to stay a night there.
Because the best “thing” is happening early in the morning…
How many days should I spend in Ban Rak Thai?
2 days/one night is definitely enough. In the end, it’s not that big of a place.
Where to stay in Ban Rak Thai?
You can stay in Ban Rak Thai itself. There are plenty of accommodation choices. From camping/glamping to more luxurious options. Unfortunately, as much as I’d love you to book your Ban Rak Thai accommodation via Booking.com – and feel free to do it, if you want to support this blog, there aren’t many listings on this platform for this location. Booking.com isn’t that popular when it comes to less popular places in Thailand. So you can either go on Google maps and try contacting the hotels and home stays directly, or you can simply follow this link and stay where I stayed.
The first thing a spotted when I visited Ban Rak Thai for the first time back in 2022, were those cool looking mud-brick houses located in the tea fields. When I came back in 2024, I knew where I wanted to spend the night. Those mud-brick houses are actually part of the resort called Lee Wine Ruk Thai Resort.
This charming accommodation, located in Ban Rak Thai’s village centre (if Ban Rak Thai has a “centre” at all) offers a comfortable stay surrounded by beautiful views of the lake and the surrounding tea plantations. Known for its warm hospitality and authentic Yunnanese – inspired architecture, this resort provides a unique experience that reflects the village’s cultural heritage.
They also own the nearby restaurant where you are served the included breakfast.
You can book it directly using this link. But as far as I remember they only accept bank transfers.
What to do in Ban Rak Thai?
Since Ban Rak Thai is a small village, there aren’t tons of things to do there. Most of the activities are centred around its beautiful natural landscape, unique Yunnanese culture, and tranquil atmosphere. Here are some highlights of things to do:
1. Visit tea plantations.
Ban Rak Thai is known for its tea culture, so visiting a tea plantation is a must. Many offer tea tastings and opportunities to learn about the tea-making process, especially focusing on traditional Chinese teas like oolong and jasmine. You can choose one of the tea plantations surrounding the village, but if you don’t walk to look far you can simply go the Lee Wine Ruk Thai Resort (mentioned above). Even if you’re not staying there, you can still pay a small entrance fee and stroll around their tea fields. If you want to take tea-themed photos, you can even borrow their baskets and hats available at the entrance.
2. Go tea tasting.
Another must-do activity in Ban Rak Thai. With such amazing tea quality and variety, tea tasting in Ban Rak Thai will be an unforgettable experience. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it even if you’re not into tea. It was sooo good!
There are many places around the lake where you can do tea-tasting, but my favourite was Leewine Coffee. I know, the name is unfortunate and yes, it probably is part of the mentioned above Lee Wine Resort (I guess they have monopoly in Ban Rak Thai), but I loved this place mainly because of their upstairs area. Having delicious tea while enjoying the beautiful view of the lake was very relaxing.
3. Walk around the lake and take a boat tour.
The scenic lake at the heart of the village is perfect for leisurely walks, photos, and soaking in the unique views. It doesn’t take long to walk around it, and the views are different from every corner. You can also rent small boats or bamboo rafts to get a different perspective of the village from the water. It would be a great idea to do it at sunset. Boats and rafts have lanterns attached to them which illuminate beautifully when it gets darker.
4. Enjoy Traditional Yunnanese Cuisine
The village has numerous restaurants serving authentic Yunnanese dishes like rice noodles, herbal mushroom soups, and fried tea leaves. Local food often incorporates tea flavours, giving the dishes a unique twist that’s distinct to the region. The most popular form of eating in Ban Rak Thai is hot pot. You’ll find several of these restaurants dotted around the lake.
Unfortunately there weren’t many vegetarian/vegan options. I had my dinner… here (the name is all in Thai), where the friendly staff prepared a vegan meal for me. It was very tasty.
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5. Go tea-shopping.
You can’t leave Ban Rak Thai without a tea-souvenir. Whether you get it for yourself or for friends and family, you can be sure that tea bought there will be the tastiest and of the highest quality. You can also get tea flavoured snacks, tea accessories and other tea-related products.
And now…I left the best for last. Remember when I told you, that to fully experience Ban Rak Thai’s beauty you have to spend a night there. This is why…
6. Spend the morning at the lake.
Spending a morning in Ban Rak Thai feels like stepping into a dream. As the sun rises, a soft mist blankets the lake creating a magical and ethereal atmosphere. With mountains and tea plantations around, illuminated bamboo boats drifting quietly across the water and the gentle sunlight filtering through the fog, the magical vibe is guaranteed.
Waking up before sunrise and witnessing this mystical phenomenon was one of my favourite travel experiences ever. I knew that there was going to be fog above the lake and probably some people would be taking photos, but when I got there and saw lots of light up boats floating in the mist, people dressed in traditional outfits and the sun slowly rising above the hills, I was truly in awe.
My photos can’t fully show how beautiful it all looked. So you’ll have to take my word for it. Just remember to get there before sunrise, to not miss a thing. The fog stays above the lake for a good 30-40 min. It’s the perfect time to stroll along the lake’s edge, take in the view, and snap some photos. After that you can go for a hot cup of local tea and soak up the peaceful vibes before the village fully wakes up.
And that’s a wrap.
I don’t think there’s anything else I could tell you about Ban Rak Thai.
Even though it’s very remote and getting there might seem like a bit of a pain, I’d definitely recommend adding a visit to Ban Rak Thai to your Thailand itinerary. You won’t regret it!
Hope you enjoyed this blog post. If you have any questions about Ban Rak Thai, drop them in the comments or send me a message on Instagram.
Hi, it’s Aga, the author of this blog. If you found this blog post interesting, entertaining or useful, please think of buying me a virtual coffee to support the site’s running costs. But if you know me, I might actually spend it on coffee. Thanks!
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