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The settlement is best known for its tea plantations and numerous tea shops as well as the blossom of Thai sakura in winter's mist.

These days, I usually guide visitors to Mae Salong as there are additional points of attraction which make Mae Salong more interesting and worthwhile to visit.

First of all, along the way to the mountain top, there are hill tribe villages settled by the Queen Mother's initiative. Apart from the permanent settlement, the tribesmen grow rice or other crops, farming and earning their living without roaming around as they did in the past.

In doing so, they consequentially absorbed the astonishing surroundings of rolling, deep green mountains. They also raised domestic stock for food and practised their ethnic rituals. Schools were built to educate their children.

Though they cannot be compared with the schools in town, the children are, at the very least, provided with a chance to have an access to education and to advance further. I have visited the day-care centre for preschool children under six years of age and noticed not only its effectiveness but also an efficiency on which I cannot elaborate more in this article.

On the hilltop, moreover, there are two magnificent pieces of architecture built in honour of the late Princess Mother. One is the Grand Chedi where part of the Princess Mother's cremains are kept. The other is the Vihara, housing a Buddha image.

 I was told these two structures were built by the Army to honour the late Princess Mother who successfully motivated tribesmen, as well as the Chinese, to stop opium growing, settle down and start rice and crop farming. They became productive citizens, concentrating on agricultural development and living the decent life.

In Santikiri village on Mae Salong, the community of the Kuomintang descendents, the Chinese Martyrs' Memorial Museum was put up to honour their ancestors who fought against communism and sacrificed for Thailand.

The construction of the memorial museum was co-funded by the Taiwanese. It features exhibits describing the history of their struggle, from the time they were forced to leave their home territory in Yunan by the Chinese communists into Shan State near the Chinese-Burmese border in 1949, until they were eventually pushed southward into Thailand in 1969.

 Thai government and Army at that time allowed them refuge on the condition they would fight the Thai communist insurgency which had seized a large amount of mountain area in Chiang Rai, from the western border with Burma to the eastern border with Laos.

The KMT fought for 5 years until they successfully rid the area of insurgents in 1975.

The Thai government awarded the KMT with citizenship status and a new settlement, Doi Mae Salong, later renamed 'Santikhiri' (Hill of Peace) with General Tuan as its chief. Another settlement is in Doi Pha Tang near the Thai-Laotian border,with General Lee in charge. They also helped protect Thai territory against communists from Laos.

Later, in 1981, when the outlawed communist insurgents took the mountain forests on Khao Kor and Khao Ya in Phetchabun, the Thai Army sought the help of KMT soldiers from both Mae Salong and Doi Pha Tung in a series of tough battles until the communists were defeated.

In the museum hall stands a photo of Their Majesties' visit to support the spirit of wounded soldiers, including the KMT troops injured in the fight in Phetchabun.

The Chinese community was overwhelmingly content with our historical study visit.

Being there, I could see their attempts to gather inclusive and insightful information.

The only weak point was their presentation which could not effectively attract the attention of tourists. If the Tourism Authority of Thailand gave a hand to enhance the modern displays such as video and arranging interactive presentations along the hall, this museum would become one of the province's main attractions.

I would encourage the TAT to consider this. It would not take up much of the budget.

Apart from sipping fine tea and visiting tea plantations on the steep hillsides, there's also a nice little place to visit for refreshment called "Sweet Mae Salong" cafe.

Any time I visit Mae Salong, this is always the place I stop by for a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. The owners are a perfect match couple. The husband is very skilful coffee barista while the wife makes a wide selection of delectable cakes.

I tend to like desserts here, mixed berries and creme brulee in particular, as they are not cloyingly sweet. Another attraction of this place would be the breathtaking and far-reaching panoramic view.

Imagine, indulging yourself with a cup of freshest coffee while admiring the view of distant Akha hillside villages, from the cafe's tiny bamboo veranda under the blue vast sky with a crisp and cool breeze embracing you - what a pleasant life.

I have not got any commission from this place- but I mention it as a nice place to visit and am personally impressed by this young couple and their labour of love working happily together.

Until Next Monday.