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We visited Ban Rak Thai during our Mae Hong Son Loop road trip, and honestly, we didn’t expect it to leave such a strong impression. This tiny village near the Myanmar border isn’t just scenic — it feels like stepping into a completely different part of Thailand.
We arrived on scooters in the late afternoon and spent the rest of the day wandering through the village, sipping tea, and waiting for the sunset — which was absolutely worth sticking around for.
Even though it’s small, there’s something about the setting and the atmosphere that makes you enjoy every minute of your visit.
Ban Rak Thai was originally founded by Chinese soldiers fleeing the civil war, and you can feel that history in everything — from the language and food to the Yunnan-style tea shops and red swaying lanterns.
In this post, we’ll share everything you need to know before visiting: how to get there, what to expect, where to stay, and whether it’s worth adding to your Mae Hong Son itinerary. If you’re into quiet places with character and a bit of history — this one’s for you.
Key Highlights
📍 Location: Mountain village near the Myanmar border, about 45 km from Mae Hong Son.
⭐️ Best time to visit: November–February for clear skies, cool temps, and misty mornings.
🚗 How to get there: By scooter or car.
🥾 Accessibility: Very easy. The whole village is walkable.
🍵 What it’s known for: Tea plantations, peaceful lake views, and Chinese-Yunnan heritage.
At a glance
The village might look sleepy from a distance, but there’s more going on than we expected — especially in the afternoon when people start coming out for tea and lakeside walks.
Ban Rak Thai is surrounded by hills and tea fields, with a peaceful lake right in the middle and mud-style houses and Chinese signs everywhere.
We visited during our Mae Hong Son Loop road trip and were honestly surprised by how calm and scenic it felt. There’s not much to “do,” but that’s exactly why we recommend stopping here. If you enjoy quiet places with character and local food, this one’s worth your time.
Getting here isn’t the easiest (we’ll explain below), but that’s a part of its charm.
Why we think it’s worth it
Is it worth your time? If you’re already doing the Mae Hong Son Loop, absolutely. Even if you just stop for a couple of hours to explore, have lunch, and enjoy the views, it’s worth it.
We’d even recommend staying the night if you want to see the early morning fog and enjoy the peaceful vibe or want to stay for sunset and have a long journey ahead.
Is it better than other nearby spots? It’s not about big views or hikes — it’s more about the atmosphere and slow pace. There’s no major temple, no waterfall — just a quiet village by a lake that feels like it belongs somewhere else entirely.
What makes it stand out? The setting, the culture, the architecture, and the fact that you’ll probably not find a place like this anywhere else in Thailand.
Where is Ban Rak Thai
Ban Rak Thai is located in northern Mae Hong Son Province, just a few kilometers from the Thai–Myanmar border. It’s about 45 km north of Mae Hong Son town, and takes around 1.5 hours to reach by scooter or car, depending on road conditions.
The village sits in the mountains at around 1,800 meters above sea level, which explains the cooler weather and misty mornings.
How to get there
There are no organized tours to Ban Rak Thai, so the only real way to get here is to drive yourself — either by scooter or by car.
By Scooter
We rented scooters in Chiang Mai and rode the full Mae Hong Son Loop, including the stretch up to Ban Rak Thai. The roads are narrow and winding in places, but mostly in good condition.
Make sure to bring an international driving license, as police sometimes do checks along the way. We never had any issues, but it’s better to be safe than deal with a fine.
If you’re starting the Mae Hong Son Loop in Chiang Mai, we recommend renting your scooter from Mango Scooter Rental Chiang Mai or Nimman 13 — both are among the best-reviewed rental shops on Google Maps, with good prices, well-maintained bikes, and fair policies.
By Car
If scooters aren’t your thing — or if you’re traveling with friends, kids, or lots of luggage — renting a car is a great option. The drive is smooth enough, and having a car gives you more comfort and peace of mind, especially on longer stretches.
We recommend booking online through Discover Cars — it’s easy to compare prices, full coverage is cheap and a must-have, and you can cancel up to 48 hours before pickup if your plans change. Most cars are automatic, and driving on the left is manageable if you take it slow at first.
Parking in Ban Rak Thai is easy, and once you’re there, you won’t need a vehicle — everything is walkable.
Things to Do in Ban Rak Thai
Even though Ban Rak Thai is small, there’s actually quite a few things to do if you take your time. Here’s how we spent our visit, and what we recommend doing too:
1. Explore the tea plantations at Lee Wine Rak Thai Resort
Right after arriving, we headed straight up to the tea plantations — they sit just above the village, so the views are already worth it. To be clear, this is the Lee Wine Rak Thai Resort, which also offers one of the most scenic accommodations in town.
You don’t need to stay overnight, though — for 50 THB, you can explore the tea plantation even as a day visitor. They gave us a traditional Chinese hat for free, which made for some of our favorite photos of the whole trip.
We also recommend walking a little further up to the viewing platform (pagoda) above the resort — it’s one of the best photo spots in the area and gives you a full view over the lake and village rooftops.
2. Try and buy the local fruit wine
Once we finished exploring the plantation, we crossed the street to Lee Wine Yunnan Restaurant, which had a small stall outside selling homemade fruit wines — everything from plum to lychee to pineapple.
They let us taste several, and we ended up buying the pineapple wine, which was, in fact, delicious. If you enjoy sweet wines or simply want a unique souvenir, we highly recommend stopping by.
3. Walk around the lake
The lake is the heart of the village, and walking the full loop takes about 20–30 minutes depending on how often you stop for tea or photos. You’ll pass mud-style houses, red lanterns, and cafés built right on the edge of the water.
It’s calm, scenic, and a good way to get a feel for the place — especially late in the day when the light softens and the reflections are at their best.
4. Take a boat ride on the lake
This is one of the most romantic things to do here — and yes, it’s touristy, but still very charming. Prices start at 350 THB for two people, and each additional person is 100 THB extra.
We recommend doing the boat ride early in the morning or just before sunset, when the lanterns are lit and the whole village starts to glow. The boats themselves are decorated with Chinese lanterns, which adds to the vibe, especially if you’re taking photos or visiting as a couple.
5. Eat at one of the lakeside restaurants
There are a few restaurants right on the lake, serving Yunnan-style dishes like pork leg stew, handmade noodles, and fried mushrooms.
The food is simple but tasty, and the setting is what makes it special — watching the reflections in the water while you eat is worth it.
6. Go for a tea tasting session
You can try tea pretty much everywhere in the village, but our favorite spot was Lee Wine Restaurant, which is part of the resort mentioned above.
They served us a tasting set with several different types of tea, along with small snacks. The whole experience was slow and relaxing — a perfect break if you’ve been on the road all day.
Tip: If you’re heading toward Pai next, it’s a totally different vibe — waterfalls, hot springs, night markets, and lots of scooters. We’ve written a full guide to the best things to do in Pai.
Best time to visit
We recommend visiting Ban Rak Thai between November and February, when the skies are clear, the air is crisp, and the mornings come with a layer of mist over the lake.
The weather during this season is cooler than most of Thailand — especially in the mornings and evenings, so bring a light jacket.
Avoid visiting during the rainy season (roughly June to October), as the roads can get slippery and clouds often cover the views.
Where to stay in Ban Rak Thai
- Lee Wine Ruk Thai Resort – Nestled among tea plantations with lake views, this is one of the most scenic stays in the village. The traditional Chinese-style cottages, peaceful setting, and on-site café make it a popular (and photogenic) choice.
- Longlai Kezhan – A cozy guesthouse with air-conditioned rooms, a hot tub, and a Chinese restaurant on-site. The friendly hosts and quiet atmosphere make it a great stay.
- Wojia 我家 – Perfect if you’re after comfort and views. This guesthouse has rooms facing the lake, a hot tub, and an outdoor terrace. It’s peaceful, stylish, and ideal for couples or anyone who wants to relax with a view.
FAQ
It’s about 270 km from Chiang Mai. The drive takes roughly 7–8 hours, depending on stops, road conditions, and whether you’re on a scooter or in a car.
No, it’s possible to visit just for a few hours — but if you want to catch the misty sunrise or enjoy the peaceful vibe after sunset, we recommend staying one night.
Yes, the roads are winding but in good condition. Just make sure to fuel up beforehand and have an international driving license, as police checks are possible along the route.
Yes — for 50 THB, you can walk around the plantation at Lee Wine Rak Thai Resort even if you’re not a guest.
Not at all. The village is small, and everything is easy to walk to — including the lake, restaurants, and plantations.
If you’re continuing through Mae Hong Son, one stop that caught us off guard was the Long Neck Village — yes, it’s touristy, but there’s more to it than we expected.
Final thoughts
Ban Rak Thai might not be packed with big attractions, but that’s exactly what we loved about it. It’s calm, different, and gives you a real break from the usual tourist trail.
Whether you stop for a few hours or stay the night, we definitely recommend adding it to your Mae Hong Son Loop itinerary.
If you’re into tea, lakeside views, and slow travel — this place delivers. Just don’t rush it.
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