Mae Chaem District split off to form the new district, Galyani Vadhana. Neighboring districts are (from the north clockwise) Galyani Vadhana, Samoeng, Mae Wang, Chom Thong and Hot of Chiang Mai Province, and Mae Sariang, Mae La Noi, Khun Yuam, Mueang Mae Hong Son and Pai of Mae Hong Son Province. Thailand's highest mountain, high Doi Inthanon, in the Thanon Thong Chai Range, is in Mae Chaem District. The district is divided into seven sub-districts ("tambon"), which are further subdivided into 85 villages ("muban"). Mae Chaem also has sub-district municipality ("thesaban tambon") status and covers parts of "tambon" Chang Khoeng. There are a
Doi Nang Non southwest of Pong Pha along the border with Myanmar. The mountain range is an unusual land feature when seen from certain angles as its silhouette takes the shape of a reclining woman with long hair. Its highest point is Doi Tung, which corresponds to the belly of the lady. There are a number of caves and underground water courses in the range area. In 1986 an eight km sector of the range which included the entrance to the main cave was declared the Tham Luang–Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park. On 23 June 2018, a group of twelve boys aged