Pai

Pai is a charming town located in the mountains of northern Thailand and belongs to Mae Hong Son province. With an altitude of 500 meters above sea level, this town stands out in the valley with its gentle natural beauty and cool climate. Before it became a tourist destination, Pai was a quiet and remote village market. However, fortunately, this town has retained its rustic and unique features.

Pai - the beautiful small town (Source: Exotic Voyages)

This small town is surrounded by lush green valleys, rolling hills, and peaceful rivers. These create ideal conditions for the development of tourism and outdoor activities.

Tourists who come to Pai can enjoy activities such as hiking, visiting Mo Paeng Waterfall, or relaxing at Pam Bok Hot Springs. The town offers visitors a picturesque landscape and a peaceful atmosphere. Pai is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. Now, take a deep breath and start your journey to Pai town with Asia King Travel.

History of Pai

Although Pai's history dates back 800 years, residents have lived here for more than 5000 years. During this time, there have been many migrations of different tribes to live here.

One of the famous conflicts in Pai happened 400 years ago between the King of Thailand and the northwestern Burmese Kingdom. The famous Wat Nam Hu temple is a place that commemorates this event. Nowadays this is a place for visitors to learn more about Pai's rich history.

Recently, Pai has become a popular tourist destination in Thailand. Although when the Japanese needed a road to bring troops to Burma, it was also quite difficult to access until World War II. It used to take several days to travel from Chiang Mai to Pai.

Thanks to the development of Thailand, the distance between Chiang Mai and Pai has shortened to only 2 days. This was also a boom time as backpackers began moving into the town and continued to develop Pai into the tourist destination it is today.

See more: Mae Hong Son Tour 5 Days

Weather in Pai Town

General weather in Pai

The weather in Pai experiences a tropical monsoon climate with three main seasons: the rainy season, the dry season, and the cool season.

The rainy season in Pai begins in May and ends in October with wet weather and heavy rainfall. The rains usually occur in the afternoon and evening, sometimes accompanied by thunderstorms. This is the lowest season for tourists to travel to Pai.

The peak tourist season in Pai is the dry season (November to April). This time, the weather is clear, there is little rain, and the sky is beautiful with warm sunshine.

Finally, the cool season is from December to February. This is the coldest time of year in Pai but also the most touristy. Morning temperatures range from 15-25 degrees and drop to 20 degrees in the evening.

The best season to travel to Pai

Pai in general is relatively mild and pleasant, and it is suitable for visiting at any time of the year. However, the cold season from December to February is still considered the most favorable and ideal time to visit because of the cool weather and interesting outdoor activities.

In addition, the dry season is also a good choice because the cost of a trip will be lower and there will be fewer tourists. Although the rainy season is not a popular season due to the humid weather and occasional sudden and prolonged rains, it still has its charm due to the green and lush landscape.

How many days should be spent in Pai?

The options for the right number of days to spend in Pai depend entirely on the amount of time you have and your travel preferences.

• 1-2 days: Visitors can explore the main attractions of the town. On the first day after arriving in Pai, you can walk around the town and enjoy the food at the night market. On the second day, you can start your journey with Pai Canyon and then take a hot bath at Tha Pai hot spring. Places like Bamboo Bridge or Tham Lod Caves will end your afternoon. Finally, fill your empty stomach with a light dinner and relax.
• 3-4 days: You can add other activities to your schedule. On the third day, you can visit Santichon village and explore the countryside or visit ethnic minority villages. Enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of Pai or join in the local events and evenings. 
• 5-6 days or more: This will be a long journey, giving you more time to explore the town in depth. You can join a hiking tour, visit an elephant camp, and travel to nearby places. Activities such as joining a cooking class or a yoga or meditation session can help you relax after tiring days of sightseeing.

Top attractions in Pai

Pai Canyon

Pai Canyon is the top destination that tourists always choose for their trip. So coming to this town without visiting the canyon is really a mistake. It takes about 20 minutes and 7 km to travel from the center to the Canyon.

Pai Canyon (Source: My Chiang Mai Tour)

On the way here, you can immerse yourself in the mountain scenery here. Visitors can leave early to watch the sunrise or go in the afternoon to enjoy the poetic sunset. Whatever your choice is, Pai Canyon will bring you an interesting experience and you will not regret coming here.

Bamboo Bridge

About 30 30-minute drive from Pai town, you can admire the famous Bamboo Bridge. This 800-meter-long bridge is built of bamboo and mainly serves the needs of tourists. Crossing the bridge, you can admire the view of the green rice fields.

Bamboo Bridge (Source: Jonny Melon)

In addition, if you come here, do not forget to enjoy lunch at Jaey Café, which has a beautiful view. The entrance fee is also very cheap only 30 Baht.

Pai Walking Street

When staying in Pai, the walking street is one of the best things for travelers. The area is completely car-free from 6 pm to 10 pm and filled with food stalls, art, and souvenirs. You can try some snacks such as sausages, gyoza, sushi, Pad Thai, or papaya salad.

Pai Walking Street (Source: Tripadvisor)

Yun Lai Viewpoint

Yun Lai Viewpoint is a great place and a feast for your eyes. Located behind the Chinese village of Santichon, Yun Lai offers you a panoramic view of the beautiful Pai valley. Tents are available here if you want to set up a fun camping trip.

Yun Lai View Point (Source: Jonny Melon)

Moreover, you can sip a cup of coffee while enjoying the view at the nearby cafe. This place will give you a unique experience so don’t forget to add it to your travel list.

Santichon Chinese Village

Designed after a traditional Chinese village, Santichon is a great stop on the way to Yun Lai's scenic spot. Visitors can enjoy green tea and pork trotters with dumplings at Baan Santichon while admiring the surrounding Pai Mountains. In addition, the culture, language, dress, and local cuisine of the Yunnan people are also attractive features for tourists when coming to this village.

Santichon Village (Source: Tripadvisor)

Tham Lod Caves

You can explore Tham Lod Cave after 1:15 hours by car. But don't be discouraged because, on the way here, you will pass a beautiful viewpoint called Don Kiew in the middle of the road. The road to Tham Lod Cave has many dangerous curves, so if you are not a good driver, you should rent a car to get there.

Tham Lod Caves (Source: Horizon Unknown)

There are a total of 3 tours corresponding to 3 caves. If you have a lot of time, you can try to visit all of them. However, a note is that you should go with a tour guide to ensure safety and provide completeness for your trip. The tour can last 1 hour and costs 600 Baht for a small group of 3 people.

Thom's Pai Elephant Camp

Thom's Elephant Camp is the first and oldest elephant camp in Pai. Here, visitors can interact with these adorable and intelligent animals. Thom was born into an elephant family and she is the owner of this camp. Therefore, she always has a deep love for her special family.

Thom's Pai Elephant Camp (Source: Tripadvisor)

With her extensive experience in caring for elephants, she knows how wonderful it is to interact with them. Therefore, Thom also hopes that visitors to Thom's Pai Elephant Camp will enjoy playing with these giant elephants.

How to get to Pai

Getting to Pai will require a bit of travel, but it will be well worth it as the peaceful town of Pai awaits your exploration.

1. From Bangkok

• By air: This is the fastest way to get from Bangkok to Pai. You can take flights from Bangkok's Mueang International Airport (DMK) to Pai Airport (PYY). The journey can take around 1 hour and 15 minutes and is limited, so check in advance.
• By bus: This is the most economical option. You can take a bus from Bangkok's Mo Chit bus station to Pai. However, the journey will take 8 to 10 hours, so you may want to pack some food and drinks before you get on the bus.
• By Motorcycle/Scooter: Motorcycles are a popular option and will get you to Pai in about 4-5 hours. They depart from various locations in Bangkok, such as Mo Chit bus station and Khao San Road.

2. From Chiang Mai

• By minivan: This is the most popular and convenient option. They run regularly between Chiang Mai and Pai, the journey takes 3-4 hours and departs from the Arcade bus station in Chiang Mai.
• By bus: Departing from Arcade bus station, the bus takes 3-4 hours to travel from Chiang Mai to Pai.
• By Motorcycle/Scooter: For those who love adventure, renting a motorcycle or scooter in Chiang Mai and driving yourself to Pai can be a memorable experience. The distance is 130 km but the scenery will be your companion.

See more: North Thailand Trekking Tour 5 days: Chiang Mai - Mae Hong Son