A Karen and Shan border village on the Thai bank of the Salawin River, Ban Mae Sam Laep is the launch point for boat trips into Salawin National Park and across to the Burmese side. The drive from Mae Sariang takes about 90 minutes on a winding mountain road — pretty in itself.
The village has a handful of stilted bamboo houses, a small mosque, a noodle stall or two, and a wooden landing where longtail boats wait for passengers. A morning visit pairs well with a few hours on the river before heading back to town for the evening.