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Everything You Need to Know about Ban Rak Thai

Ban Rak Thai is a hidden cultural gem in northwestern Thailand. It’s a Yunnanese village tucked away in the remote hilly valleys bordering Myanmar, making it a scenic hideaway boasting unspoiled natural scenery and rich southwestern Chinese culture.

The village is also known for its misty river and terraced tea plantations so its natural beauty makes it a must-see prospect among nature and tea enthusiasts. Just like Sangkhlaburi and other border towns such as, Ban Rak is oozing with adventure. 

Ban Rak Thai is also a straightforward destination from downtown Mae Hong Son, so it’s certainly worth considering on your day trip itinerary from major cities. 

Things to Know

Phone: +66 94 242 6263

Operating Hours: 6:20 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Admission Costs: Free

Where is Ban Rak Thai?

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Image Source: Google Maps

Ban Rak Thai is the Mok Cham Pae Subdistrict’s north end. It’s bounded by the Burmese village Wan Mae Aw.

How to Get to Ban Rak Thai

Bus: The best and cheapest option from Bangkok to Ban Rak Thai is to catch the 15-hour bus ride from Mo Chit Bus Terminal to Mae Hong Son. From there, it takes 1 more hour to get to the village if you self-drive a rental vehicle or hire a motorbike taxi.

Train: Tourists can also get to Ban Rak Thai by riding a train from Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal to downtown Chaing Mai. Afterward, you must catch a bus to Pai and hire a motorbike taxi to the village.

This method should take you between 15 and 16 hours, so it’s not ideal unless you have time on your hands.

Plane: If you like to reach Ban Rak Thai from Bangkok in record time, we suggest booking a flight to Chiang Mai instead. The plane will get there in an hour, so you only need to get through the 5-hour bus and motorbike taxi ride to Pai and the village.

What to See and Do in Ban Rak Thai

Take stunning photos of the village’s Chinese-style houses

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Ban Rak Thai is best known for its Chinese-inspired motifs, from traditional Yunnanese-style houses to lantern-lit streets, tea fields, noodle shops, and more. 

It’s a great place to experience southwestern Chinese culture and capture its iconography. Some of the best photo-op spots include the symmetrical terraced tea fields, lantern-filled streets, charming wooden boats, a chic arched bridge, etc.

The river in the middle of the village also adds more compositional opportunities, especially if you use reflections in your photos well. 

Oh, and don’t forget about Ban Rak Thai’s magical river mists every morning, so time your visit well!

Hop between Ban Rak Thai’s riverside cafes

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If you like cafe-hopping, Ban Rak Thai’s numerous riverside cafes won’t disappoint.  For one, they offer a front-row observer’s view of the village’s iconic river mists, perfect for nature enthusiasts who like to get more than just their daily caffeine fix.

But that’s not all because these cafes also excel at making tea, so expect high-quality organic brews at every spot you visit. They use fresh tea leaves from the village’s plantations so it’s a great way to support the local farmers.

Enjoy a pleasant stroll around the village

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Ban Rak Thai’s most picturesque spots are along the Mae Sa-nga River, but nothing beats exploring its less frequented streets for a more candid look at the local culture.

This is also great for tourists who like to befriend some of the locals.

Go explore the residential area in the village’s west end if you want a break from its most touristy spots. 

There, you’ll also find humble local shops selling everyday essentials and snacks you won’t find anywhere in their tourism center. These shops are a must-visit if you want to have some quick snacks, like cheap sodas, bags of chips, and ice pops.

Ride a boat in Mae Sa-nga River

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The boat rides in Mae Sa-nga River are one of the most popular attractions in Bang Rak Thai. This activity also gives you plenty of excellent photo angles of the village.

Cruising in the river may also offer magical or romantic vibes, depending on the time you do it. For instance, riding a boat in the morning gives you the best chance to experience its breathtaking river mists up close.

Meanwhile, their nightly candle-lit boat rides are perfect for couples who want to enjoy a romantic date and admire the surrounding village lights. 

Check out the village’s numerous tea shops

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Ban Rak Thai is known for its tea plantations, so expect to find an unholy amount of tea shops around its tourism center. These shops sell a wide range of tea and tea-making products, from tea packs to pressure teapots, ceramic tea sets, and more.

They also offer a great selection of packed and dried snacks, such as roasted nuts or almonds, Yunnanese sweet delicacies, and dried fruits.

Where to Eat and Drink in Near Ban Rak Thai

Lee Wine Coffee

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Address: Mok Cham Pae

Phone: +66 93 538 8172

Pricing: ฿฿

Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Good to know: Good for drinks, Chinese food

Website

Lee Win Coffee is one of the best riverside cafes in Ban Rak Thai, known for its solid view of the Mae Sa-nga River. 

Aside from that, you’ll find a diverse selection of drinks, especially in its ever-changing blackboard menu. Expect drinks like coffee blends, bubble teas, fruit smoothies, wine frappes, fruit-infused teas, and more. 

This cafe also serves Yunnanese specialties that you can order in sets, perfect when dining with friends or family. Think steamed pork leg hot pot, spicy tea leaf salad, and pork meatball soup. 

Chasa Rakthai Chinese Restaurant

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Address: Mok Cham Pae

Phone: +66 93 245 4969

Pricing: ฿฿

Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Good to know: Good for Chinese food

Website

Chasa RakThai Chinese Restaurant is a local favorite. It has a charming open-air and riverside dining area, a rustic interior, and a lantern-filled ceiling, so expect a relaxed atmosphere and a breathtaking view of the Mae Sa-nga River.

Its menu focuses on Chinese food, so expect dishes like Yunnanese egg rolls, braised pork belly, and more. The portions are also good, so be prepared to eat a lot of food if you opt for their set dishes.

Aunt Wah Shop

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Address: Mok Cham Pae

Phone: +66 64 253 3336

Pricing: ฿

Operating Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Good to know: Good for breakfast

Website

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly restaurant with direct river access, Aunt Wah Shop is an excellent option. Since it’s right next to the Mae Sa-nga River, dining here feels like a picnic!

It’s a local go-to for Yunnanese-style noodles because their serving doesn’t cost more than 50 baht! Other affordable options are the hot pot offerings: mu kratha Thai BBQ and shabu-shabu, which are good for sharing between two people!

Where to Shop in and Near Ban Rak Thai

Lee Wine Shop

Media from leewine.rukthai

Address: 3 Moo 6, Mok Cham Pae

Phone: +66 65 495 3698

Pricing: ฿฿ 

Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Good to know: Good for souvenirs

Website

Lee Wine Shop is a popular tea shop in Ban Rak Thai, the perfect spot to buy tea pack souvenirs! They have a great selection of teas, so expect staple types like green tea, oolong tea, and jasmine tea.

Furthermore, they also sell other tea products like black sesame seed tea, ceramic tea sets, and tea-based fragrances. 

You can buy coffee packets here, if that’s more your style. Their other popular products include crispy chili with Yunnan-style tom yum paste, roasted nuts, dried fruits, and tea-making tools.

Chasa Rakthai Resort Shop

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Address: 95 Moo 6, Mok Cham Pae Road

Phone: +66 93 245 4969

Pricing: ฿฿

Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Good to know: Good for souvenirs

Website

This shop is connected to Chasa Rakthai Chinese Restaurant so it’s a convenient option if you go there to eat or have a room booked in their hotel. It’s also great for souvenir shopping because it sells plenty of tea packs, dried fruits, and snacks.

You can also buy coffee and tea-making products from them, like ceramic tea sets, pressurized tea dispensers, mugs, and more.

The best part is they let customers taste freshly brewed teas to help them decide which packs to buy!

Mae Hong Son Food Market

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Address: Chong Kham, Mueang Mae Hong Son District

Pricing: ฿

Operating Hours: 4 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)

Good to know: Good for all-around shopping

Mae Hong Son Food Market, also known as Saiyud Market, is the nearest place to Ban Rak Thai selling everything you expect from a traditional Thai market. 

It’s approximately 40 kilometers away, but it’s certainly worth it because the village shops don’t sell similar items.

You’ll pass through Chong Kham on your way to Ban Rak Thai, so stopping by this market to shop shouldn’t be an issue—just make sure to include it in your stops!

Where to Stay in Ban Rak Thai

Chasa Rakthai Resort

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Address: 95 Moo 6, Mok Cham Pae Road

Phone: +66 93 245 4969

Pricing: ฿฿

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Good to know: Good for couples, families

Website

Chasa Rakthai Resort is a charming hillside property with chic Chinese-style villas and bungalows featuring cozy rustic interiors and modern amenities. Their biggest unit can accommodate up to eight guests—perfect if you have a big travel group.

The hotel’s hillside location offers a superb panoramic view of the village and the Mae Sa-nga River. They also have a garden, so you’ll enjoy walking around the property while soaking in its relaxing natural atmosphere.

The crenelated walls around the resort also add Chinese imperial vibes that history buffs will definitely appreciate. 

Lee Wine Rak Thai Resort

Media from leewine.rukthai

Address: Moo 6, Mok Cham Pae Road

Phone: +66 89 552 9650

Pricing: ฿฿

Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)

Good to know: Good for couples, families, and tea lover

Website

Lee Wine Rak Thai Resort is worth checking out especially if you have a soft spot for tea. Their bungalows are fixed on a terraced slope with rows of tea plants so you can see the varieties they grow here.

They also have many notable Instagrammable spots on their property, from a lantern-lined walkway to landscaped gardens and a charming Chinese-style gazebo. 

A big draw is their spacious decked-out units, especially with the en-suite bathrooms.

They’re filled with gorgeous bathroom vanities, from large mirrors to double ceramic sinks, bathtubs, and showers. 

Rak Thai Camping Hill

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Address: Mok Cham Pae

Phone: +66 94 873 8851

Pricing: ฿

Operating Hours: 24/7

Good to know: Good for backpackers, nature lovers

Website

Rak Thai Camping Hill is a well-known glamping spot for backpackers and nature lovers. They only charge visitors for tent rentals, so it’s one of the cheapest accommodations you can get out of this village. 

Their amenities are nothing to scoff at, though, because they have clean communal bathrooms with water heaters. There’s also an on-site cafe, so you’re covered for your daily caffeine fix and snack cravings. 

Finally, this place is tucked away on a quiet hill on the village’s north end. Staying here gives you an awe-inspiring panoramic view of Ban Rak Thai and a more relaxed atmosphere!

FAQs about Ban Rak Thai

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