Mae Sariang District

Mae Sariang
แม่สะเรียง
Amphoe

Amphoe location in Mae Hong Son Province
Coordinates: 18°9′34″N 97°56′1″E / 18.15944°N 97.93361°ECoordinates: 18°9′34″N 97°56′1″E / 18.15944°N 97.93361°E
Country  Thailand
Province Mae Hong Son
Seat Mae Sariang
Tambon 7
Muban 77
Area
 • Total 2,587.4 km2 (999.0 sq mi)
Population (2010)
 • Total 50,937
 • Density 20.1/km2 (52/sq mi)
Time zone THA (UTC+7)
Postal code 58110
Geocode 5804

Mae Sariang is a small town and district (Amphoe) alongside the Yuam River in Mae Hong Son Province, northern Thailand, along the Myanmar border. The areas around Mae Sariang are mountainous and forested. The area has many links to Burma, such as its architecture and a large population of Burmese Muslims.

Geography

Mae Sariang is one of the stopover places on the Mae Hong Son Loop (a popular route with travellers to cover Mae Hong son province which starts+ends in Chiang Mai)

Neighboring are (from north clockwise) Mae La Noi of Mae Hong Son Province; Mae Chaem and Hot of Chiang Mai Province; Sop Moei of Mae Hong Son Province again; and Kayin State and Kayah State of Myanmar.

The Salawin National Park is located in the district.The important river of Mae Sariang is the Yuam River.

Climate

Climate data for Mae Sariang (1981–2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °C (°F) 31.4
(88.5)		 34.0
(93.2)		 36.5
(97.7)		 37.9
(100.2)		 34.9
(94.8)		 31.6
(88.9)		 30.7
(87.3)		 30.7
(87.3)		 32.1
(89.8)		 32.8
(91)		 32.0
(89.6)		 30.5
(86.9)		 32.93
(91.27)
Average low °C (°F) 13.6
(56.5)		 13.8
(56.8)		 17.5
(63.5)		 22.3
(72.1)		 23.9
(75)		 23.6
(74.5)		 23.2
(73.8)		 23.1
(73.6)		 23.0
(73.4)		 22.3
(72.1)		 19.2
(66.6)		 15.3
(59.5)		 20.07
(68.12)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 1.5
(0.059)		 6.5
(0.256)		 14.2
(0.559)		 44.7
(1.76)		 162.3
(6.39)		 183.0
(7.205)		 181.2
(7.134)		 220.4
(8.677)		 177.1
(6.972)		 115.2
(4.535)		 22.1
(0.87)		 7.6
(0.299)		 1,135.8
(44.716)
Avg. rainy days (≥ 1 mm) 1 1 1 4 17 25 27 27 21 14 4 2 144
Average relative humidity (%) 78 69 62 62 75 84 86 86 85 84 82 80 77.8
Source: Thai Meteorological Department (Normal 1981-2010), (Avg. rainy days 1961-1990)

History

1900 the administration in the area was formalized as a district under Mae Hong Son. Originally the district was named Mueang Yuam (เมืองยวม), which was changed in 1917 to Mae Sariang.[1]

Tourism

The small village is becoming more and more popular because of its relaxed atmosphere along the river. Mae Sariang has a high potential in ecotourism and trekking. Many small ethnic communities live around Mae Sariang especially at Mae La Noi, 30 km to the north. Moreover, in the north area of Mae Sariang, there are national parks such as Salawin and Mae Ngao where trekking is quite developed because of the beauty of the mountains and the jungle.

There is a small but growing tourist infrastructure here with several guesthouses, restaurants and cafes. There are a handful of English-speaking local guides who can take you on tours/treks to surrounding countryside and hilltribe villages.

Two birman-chan temples can be visited in Mae Sariang: the Wat Jong Sung and the Wat Si Bunruang, built in 1896.

Administration

Panorama of the mountains south west of the town of Mae Sariang

The district is subdivided into 7 subdistricts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 77 villages (muban). Mae Sariang is also a subdistrict municipality (thesaban tambon) which covers parts of the tambon Ban Kat and Mae Sariang. There are further 7 Tambon administrative organizations (TAO).

No. Name Thai Villages Inh.[2]
1.Ban Katบ้านกาศ1311,283
2.Mae Sariangแม่สะเรียง99,968
3.Mae Khongแม่คง114,154
4.Mae Hoแม่เหาะ137,813
5.Mae Yuamแม่ยวม139,273
6.Sao Hinเสาหิน62,691
8.Pa Paeป่าแป๋125,755

Number 7 is not used.

References

  1. ↑ ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง เปลี่ยนชื่ออำเภอ. Royal Gazette (in Thai) 34 (0 ก): 40–68. 1917-04-29.
  2. ↑ "Population statistics 2010". Department of Provincial Administration.

External links