Major city · Thailand
Mae La Noi
Skip unless you have a car and want a quiet stop between Mae Hong Son and Mae Sariang: half a day for the cave, then move on.
Mae La Noi is a tiny, traditional town in Mae Hong Son Province, 50 km south of Mae Hong Son on Rte 108. Most travellers pass through on the way between Mae Sariang and Mae Hong Son. The main draw is Kaew Komol Cave, a crystal calcite cave, and the surrounding hill-tribe villages. Half a day is enough unless you want to hike deeper into the mountains.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- THB
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Mar–May (hot and smoky from burning season)
- Airport
- HGN
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Mae La Noi191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mae La Noi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Thai baht (THB, ฿).Thailand-wide
- SIM or eSIMAIS and TrueMove H sell tourist SIMs at airport arrivals; passport registration is required.Thailand-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Thailand-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: Leave ฿20–100 (≈ US$1–4) or the coins; skip it if a 10% service charge is on the bill.Thailand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/O. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Thailand-wide
- SafetyMae La Noi is very safe; the main risks are road accidents on Rte 108 (curves, no streetlights) and the smoky burning season.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in malls and hotels; squat toilets with a water bucket in rural stops.Thailand-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 1669 ambulance · 1155 tourist police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany Bangkok street-food vendors stay off the main roads on Mondays (street-cleaning day in several districts)…Thailand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckHGN Mae Hong Son Airport (50 km (31 mi) north; flights from Chiang Mai (check).).HGN Mae Hong Son Airport (31 mi (50 km) north; flights from Chiang Mai (check).).
- Getting aroundWalk the town centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealResort A/C room with breakfast฿1,000–2,500 (≈ US$35–80)
- Museum or sight ticketKaew Komol Cave entryincludes transport to cave฿80 (≈ US$3)
- Budget bedGuesthouse room (fan), a night, per room฿500 (≈ US$16)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room (fan), a night, per room฿800 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedGuesthouse room (fan), a night, per room฿1,200 (≈ US$40)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ฿800 (≈ US$25) · Mid ฿2,000 (≈ US$65) · High ฿4,000 (≈ US$130)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HGN Mae Hong Son Airport (50 km (31 mi) north; flights from Chiang Mai (check).)HGN Mae Hong Son Airport (31 mi (50 km) north; flights from Chiang Mai (check).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Apr
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
May
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Mar–May. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)), coolest Jan (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Aug (21 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mae La Noi: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Mar
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Apr
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
20 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
21 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
17 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk the town centre. To reach Kaew Komol Cave or hill-tribe villages you need a motorbike, car or local guide. Songthaews (shared pickups) run along Rte 108 but are infrequent.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kaew Komol Cave
goDoor to door: 30 min return
Motorbike or songthaew east of town, about 10 min
80 baht entry includes transport to the cave entrance; 20 min walk inside.
Hill-tribe villages
goDoor to door: Half day
Local guide or 4x4; ask at Herntai Resort
Lawa and Karen villages; remote, few tourists.
Mae Hong Son
goDoor to door: 1 h
Bus or car north on Rte 108, about 1 h
See the Mae Hong Son guide for temples and lake.
Mae Sariang
goDoor to door: 1 h
Bus or car south on Rte 108, about 1 h
River town with guesthouses and boat trips.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre
A few guesthouses and resorts near Rte 108; Herntai Resort is the most established.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ฿800–1,200 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- Mid
- ฿1,500–2,500 (≈ US$50–80) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Resort room (A/C, breakfast)1 × 1 night × ฿1,500 | ฿1,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ฿2,000 | ฿4,000 |
| Bus Mae Hong Son → Mae La Noi2 × ฿150 · check | ฿300 |
| Kaew Komol Cave entry2 × ฿80 | ฿160 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ฿596 |
| Trip total≈ ฿3,278 per person per day, bed included | ฿6,556≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in baht; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bus Mae Hong Son → Mae La Noicheck | ฿150 (≈ US$5) |
| Kaew Komol Cave entryincludes transport to cave | ฿80 (≈ US$3) |
| Simple meal at market | ฿40–80 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Guesthouse fan room | ฿500–800 (≈ US$16–25) |
| Resort A/C room with breakfast | ฿1,000–2,500 (≈ US$35–80) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Kaew Komol Cave: no hats, coats, backpacks or cameras allowed inside; bring a flashlight (though the cave is well lit).
- Remote villages may require a 4x4 and a local guide; ask at your accommodation.
- Burning season (Feb–Apr) brings heavy smoke haze that can obscure views and affect breathing.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Ambulance
- 1669
- Tourist police
- 1155
Pocket card
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Mae La NoiMae La Noi
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ไปที่อยู่นี้ครับTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Ambulance1669
- Tourist police1155
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Mae Hong Son → Mae La Noi: about ฿150 (≈ US$5), 1 h (check)
- Kaew Komol Cave entry: ฿80 (≈ US$3), includes transport
Say or show
- สวัสดี — Hello (sawasdee)
- ขอบคุณ — Thank you (khob khun)
- เท่าไหร่ — How much? (thao rai)
- ถ้ำ — Cave (tham)
check
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mae La Noi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid Mar–May (hot and smoky from burning season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Mae La Noi
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