Mae Sariang, located in the southern reaches of Mae Hong Son City . It has a fair degree of charm in its own right -- there's lots of wooden buildings, a handful of Burmese-influenced wats, an interesting market, and, well a great glimpse of untouristed Thailand.

It's true Mae Sariang has considerable trekking potential -- its surrounds are dotted with mostly Karen villages and the village's often mountainous settings are stunning. However, this potential is tempered by the relatively high cost of tours and the small number of tourists coming here to trek. If you don't mind paying an excess in order to get going, then Mae Sariang is a great spot, but if you're travelling solo and hoping to just show up, sign up for a cheap trek and get walking, then Pai or Mae Hong Son would be better bases to work from.