Ban Rak Thai

Ban Rak Thai (literally "the Thai-loving village"), commonly called Mae Aw in many guide Books and some maps, is a city near Mae Hong Son (44 kilometers). It was settled by former Kuomintang (KMT) (Nationalist) fighters from Yunnan province, China, after the Communist takeover of China in 1949. The population is about 1,000, mainly Chinese-born or Thai-born Chinese. Many signs are in Chinese and much of the population speaks a heavily accented version of Mandarin Chinese. If you speak Chinese, try it out, especially on some of the elderly people. They will be happy to speak with you and can share some rather interesting stories of their lives pre- and post- exile, as well as about the drug trade that used to dominate the economy here.

Introduction to Ban Rak Thai

The Chinese influence in this region dates to the civil war in China that raged until the communists took power in 1949. Remnants of the KMT army fled to Myanmar, where the staged forays into China to retake lost territory. In the early-1960s, China retaliated by invading the Shan State of Myanmar where the KMT were located. Mauled by the People's Liberation Army and the KMT fled across the border to Thailand where they settled. They were granted asylum by the (Thai) government on the condition that they stand as a bulwark against communist aggression. The KMT village of Mae Aw, in Myanmar, was moved across the border to Thailand where it became New Mae Aw (新密窝村 แม่ออใหม่). Finally, long after the fighting died down, in 1983-4 the (Thai) government renamed the town Ban Rak Thai(拉泰村 หมู่บ้านรักไทย), meaning "Love Thailand" village. A royal project was initiated to encourage local residents to cultivate tea in the immediate surrounding area.

Travel to Ban Rak Thai

Public transportation is spotty here. Your best option is to either hire a guide from Mae Hong Son, in which case she can provide you with far more information than this page will, or to rent a motorbike in Mae Hong Son and ride up on your own. The ride is beautiful, meandering through a picturesque valley, up and down steep hills on a very windy road. The road is paved all the way. Watch for cow manure in the curves.

From Mae Hong Son, head north on Highway 1095. About 10 kilometers up, you will see signs for Ban Rak (Thai). Take a left and follow this windy road for another 35 kilometers or so, until it ends in the village. It is very nearly due north of Mae Hong Son and due west of Pangmapha. Geocoordinates: N19 35.109, E097 56.552.

Get Around in Ban Rak Thai

The village is not tiny, but is easily walked around.

What to See

• The lake, Chinese tea shops, surrounding mountains. The scenery is amazing, with the town set in a valley neighbored by hills laced with smuggling routes to Myanmar.
• There is a tea festival that takes place in Feb

Muslim Travel Tips

Visit a tea plantation to learn about growing and processing tea.

Shopping in Ban Rak Thai

Tea and dried fruit. Any number of shops sell a dizzying variety of tea, which grows well at these altitudes and seems to be one of the primary products. There are nice quality oolong teas grown here and some of the best are here for tasting.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Ban Rak Thai

To be updated

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Ban Rak Thai

Ban Rak Thai - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Ban Rak Thai, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Ban Rak Thai. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Ban Rak Thai and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Ban Rak Thai. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Ban Rak Thai. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Ban Rak Thai: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Ban Rak Thai.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Ban Rak Thai: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Ban Rak Thai, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Ban Rak Thai.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Ban Rak Thai, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Ban Rak Thai, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Ban Rak Thai and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Ban Rak Thai, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Ban Rak Thai, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Ban Rak Thai without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Ban Rak Thai is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Ban Rak Thai.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Ban Rak Thai is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Ban Rak Thai, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Ban Rak Thai Media: info@ehalal.io

Ramadan Celebrations in Ban Rak Thai

Ramadan 2025 in Ban Rak Thai

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

There are a number of guesthouses operating around the lake. Prices range from 300 Baht to well over 1,000 Baht. From basic mud huts to nice little villas. Most are rather basic and tatty. This place has become a big (Thai) tourist destination. It gets many tour vans each day but few stay overnight. It gets packed on holidays. Evenings around the lake are cool and lovely.

Go Next

Same way you came in, unless you fancy sneaking over the border into Myanmar, not recommended. A small dirt road goes to a tiny village across the border and the guards don't seem to care. But there isn't much to see there except a school and a shop or two with some thatched homes and a (Thai) flag flying above on the hill.