Mae Hong Son doesn't have too much to offer as far as sporting facilities or venues go other than those facilities offered by the various hotels themselves. Below are listed a few activities that will keep those muscles toned and will introduce you to the surrounding countryside, if nothing else.

Elephant Trekking What better way to see this part of Thailand than sitting atop one of the world's largest animals. This is a fun activity for young and old alike and even if you aren't "hot" on the idea of clambering onto the broad back of our planet's largest land mammals, then you can always simply feed them bananas and listen to their gentle, contented rumblings as they stand quietly with their mahoots.

Overland Trekking on foot, is one of the more popular pass-times in this mountainous terrain. Treks last anything from half day to 5 days and routes take one along rivers and over mountains where the scenery has to be seen to be appreciated.

Mountain Biking is definitely an excellent way to keep fit and what better way to enjoy the clean air of Mae Hong Son than by peddling your way though the hills and dales of the area. There are a few rental outlets and a number of hotels and resorts rent out bikes as well as there being organised tours.

Rafting on the Pai River With an approximate length of 180 km, and width of 30 m, the Pai River is the biggest and longest river in Mae Hong Son. This challenges the adventurous traveller to raft along this river and three most suitable departure/arrival points are:

1. Source of the River to Amphoe Pai Starting from Huai Chang Kaeo, it takes about six hours to cover the 16 km from Amphoe Pai to Wiang Nua Bridge or Ban Chomphon near Amphoe Pai. The most suitable period for rafting is between October-March.

2. From Amphoe Pai to Amphoe Muang Starting from Ban Mo Paeng, it's a 30 km paddle from Amphoe Pai to Ban Pang Mu in Amphoe Muang. The water levels differ greatly at one point on the Pai River and it may be necessary to change rafts at one point.

3. From Amphoe Muang to the border of Thailand and Myanmar Starting from Ban Huai Dua, Tambon Pha Bong, it's about 6 km from Amphoe Muang to the border at Ban Nam Phiang Din. Normally this section of Pai River is more enjoyable to cruise along by a long-tailed boat which only takes 2-3 hours for a return trip or go elephant trekking instead since the scenery on both sides of the river are fascinating and beautiful.

Bua Tong Blossom Festival
Each year in November, the hillsides of Amphoe Khum Yuam and Amphoe Mae Sariang are filled with a host of golden Bua Tong or wild sunflower blooms. As gay as a daisy and almost as a sunflower, the Bua Tong only blossoms about 30 days. This enough reason for Mae Hong Son provincial to hold the Bua Tong Blossom Festival at Amphoe Khun Yuam.
At Amphoe Khum Yuam's Doi Mae U-Kho, the blossoms appear profusely. Finally, the golden blooms become part of the scene. Some specialists have classified these Bua Tong as weed and because of this, they may be cleared to make way for cash crops. Fortunately a group of researchers have discovered the flower's insect-repellent properties. And perhaps that is why the Bua Tong, a symbol of Mae Hong Son, is still preserved on the hillsides.

Chong Para Procession
The Chong Para in the Thai Yai dialect means a castle made of wood, covered with colorful perforated papers and decorated with fruits, flags and lamps. It is placed in the courtyard of a house or a monastery as a gesture to welcome the Lord Buddha on his return from giving sermons to his mother in heaven, according to traditional belief. The rite is held during the post -rain retreat season from the full-moon day of the 11the Lunar month to the waxing-moon night of the same month.

Other activities to celebrate the occasion include dances where performers are dressed in animal costumes. This is based on the belief that during those long-gone days, both humans and the animal kingdom were equally joyful of the return of the Lord Buddha and therefore joined in a jubilant performance as tribute to the Enlightened One.

Loi Krathong Festival
Loi Krathong Festival is held on the full moon night in the month of November every year. Villagers make "Krathongs" to float in rivers. At Nong Chong Kham, various entertainment and a contest of large krathongs are held near the central pond. Lamps and candles are lit all around the area. Moreover, at Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu, there is a ceremony of releasing candle -lit krathongs bound with balloons to the sky (known as "Loi Krathong Sawan").

Poi Sang Long Procession
This is in fact the celebration of novice ordination which the Thai Yai tribe people hold to be a highly meritorious occasion. Traditionally, the candidate-novice, his head cleanly shaven and wrapped with head-cloth in the Burmese style, will don a prince-like garment and put on valuable jewels and gems, and ride a horse or be carried over the shoulders of a man to the city shrine. Then he will visit abbots of various monasteries to beg for forgiveness. On the ordination eve, a procession of offerings and other necessary personal belongings will be paraded through the town streets and then placed at the monastery where the ordination will take place the next day. It is usually held during March-May before the Buddhist Rain Retreat period.