E-Thong Village (Pilok Mine)

Burmese prospectors dug tin here before 1940; in 1940 the state mining organisation opened the Pilok mine, followed by more than 50 private operators. Early on, elephants carried ore to Tha Khanun on the Khwae Noi for the boat trip down. At its peak there were thousands of workers, two cinemas and an airstrip, mining tin, wolfram and some gold. 'E-Thong' is said to come from a mountain-spirit's abode, and 'Pilok' from 'phi lok', a ghostly scare.

The world tin crash of 1985 closed more than 40 mines, and all had shut by about 1991. Mining engineer Somsak Setabundhu died in 1994, and his Australian widow ran a forest guesthouse. In the late 1990s the Yadana gas pipeline from Myanmar came through, bringing the village electricity. In 2009 most of the area became Thong Pha Phum National Park, and from the 2010s miners' houses became homestays and cafés.

A main street and covered market run by the central reservoir; the morning market sells Thai-Burmese snacks, souvenirs and postcards. Wat Mueang Rae Pilok stands on a hill at the end of the street, and Noen Sao Thong, about 600 m beyond, flies Thai and Myanmar flags above a Myanmar army post; the border crossing is closed to the public. Rusting machinery marks the old mine, and Noen Chang Suek, Jok Kradin Falls and Khao Chang Phueak are close by.

The village is open at all times and free. November–February is best, with mist most mornings and cold nights; weekends are crowded and parking is scarce. Book only through the Ban E-Thong Facebook list or owners directly, as a fake-room scam was reported in May 2025. Route 3272 is very winding with no fuel before the village, so fill up in Thong Pha Phum; songthaews run from Thong Pha Phum market for about 70 baht. Don't approach the Myanmar posts. Pilok council: 034-540-528.