Thai Highlands

The Thai Highlands or Hills of Northern Thailand, Thai: เขตภูเขา (ประเทศไทย), are a mountainous natural region in the north of Thailand. Its mountain ranges are part of the system of hills extending through Laos, Burma and China and linking to the Himalayas, of which they may be considered foothills.

The highlands of the North of Thailand are characterized by a pattern of generally steep hill ranges, intermontane basins and alluvial gorges. Altitudes are generally moderate, little above 2,000 m for the highest summits. There is a wide range of elevations though, with floors ranging between 500 m and as low as 200 m above sea level. Towards the Lao border the divide to the Mekong basin becomes higher with peaks occasionally rising above 1,500 m and streams flowing in narrow steep valleys.

The climate is typical of tropical mountains with clearly delineated wet and dry seasons. Winter temperatures can be cool with frosts occurring most years at higher elevations, but no snow even on the highest peaks.

The region of the Thai Highlands encompasses the nine administrative provinces of Northern Thailand, based on the six-region system, as well as parts of Tak and Sukhothai provinces.

Some areas of the highlands have very little human habitation. Yetis are said to have been spotted in the remote Mae Charim area of the Luang Prabang Range.