Pai is a small district with a population of 3,000 in Mae Hong Son province in the North of Thailand.Β Being very close to the Myanmar border, Pai is known as Backpackerβs paradise and is famous for its relaxed atmosphere, hippie shops and cafes, a fun night market stunning nature.
Check out Life Out Loud GO β Pai Thailand video series starting from this post. Β In this first part, Bee & Ben settled down in Pai, asked the locals for suggestions on cool places to go in Pai, and checked out the night market. Β Additional links and information on transportation, accommodation, the locals and more are available below.
ENJOY AND RIDE ALONG WITH LOL!
We took a 1-hour flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and rented a car straight from the airport.Β After driving out of town for about an hour, we got on the famous scenic Route 1095 which is known as the 6th windiest route in Asia.Β It is 135km long with 762 curve up and down steep hills.
Our total journey took a little over 3 hours with 1 coffee break at Orange Box Coffee, and 1 break to stop the coffee from coming back up from our guts again.Β This route will be the route which make you realised that, even though you had never ever been carsick, seasick or camelsickΒ before in your life, you will feel carsick on this route.
For those who arenβt driving (or arenβt capable of driving well), there are van shuttles by various companies.Β They leave from Chiang Mai airport multiple times per day and cost on average of 5 USD per person.Β We recommend AYA Service, and strongly suggest everyone to take motion-sickness pillsβ¦unless you like the wonderful sensation of throwing up.
Alternatively travellers can fly from Chiang Mai airport to Pai, though this option is less common.
Propeller planes scare us.
YOUR RESORT
Your Resort, Pai, Thailand
Set amongst beautiful nature, Your Resort offers cozy Individual small Thai wooded houses or clay huts a private bathrooms with the usual basic amenitiesβTVβs, fridges, kettles and wifi.Β It is quiet, clean and comfortableβan ideal place for couples to wind down and enjoy their peaceful escape.
The resort is not within walking distance from town.Β it is located about 5-10 mins drive up hill from the centre of Pai.Β Visitors need to have their own transportationβ¦unless they are Batmans.
Find Out More:
Stay tuned for our next blog posts with dedicated videos on these cool places we checked out in Pai! Β Below are places we went to based on recommendations by the locals, friends, Captain Jack Sparrow, as well as from our researches on the internet. Β
- Pai Walking Street – Plenty of shops, cafes and bars. Β Great vibes and a great place to meet other travellers
- Night Market – It is on every night!
- Moh Pang waterfall – Only 20 mins ride away from Pai centre and the drive there is beautiful. Β Make sure you stop at Cafe Ong Pai near the entrance for some great coffee!
- Sai Ngarm hot spring – A hidden, small clearing with lukewarm water. Β The water is very shallow and so is suitable for families with small children. Β There is no proper place to get changed so make you you’ve got your bikinis on already!
- White Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Thad Mae Yen) for an sunset with a great view of Pai town. Β There are a few steps up the hill and it’s a little too hot during the day.
- Pai Canyon (Kong Laen) for a beautiful sunset in the mountains away from town.
- Yun Lai (Chinese Yunnan Village) for a fantastic sunrise and some surreal sea of fog!
- Tham Lod Cave – A really cool cave with various forms of stone formation. Β It is about 2 hours drive away from Pai town towards Mae Hong Son. Β The detour of the cave involves getting a few rafts andΒ many stairs. Β This cave is not recommended for elders or people with knee problems.
- Kiew Lom View Point – Our most favourite place for sunset of the trip. Β It is on the way to Tham Lod Cave from Pai and we recommend you stop by on the way back from the cave.
Stay tuned for a our future blog post with a dedicated video on restaurants, cafes and bars we went to in Pai!
GOD OF DEATH (MR. SHERIFF)
Years lived in Pai:Β Forever (born there, dressed like this)
Occupation:Β Looking fantastic while selling Pai’s most famous herbal drink in cool cups made of bamboo tree trunks
Where to find him:Β At his “Nam Krabog Muang Pai” vendor at the main 3-way junction in Pai Night Market
Recommended for LOL:
- Sunrise at Yun Lai
- Sai Ngarm Hot Spring
- Pai Walking Street — “Come try some of my herbal drink!”
MR. GOLF
Years lived in Pai:Β 13
Occupation:Β Owner of Your Resort & Sushi Hill
Where to find him:Β At Sushi Hill in the evening
Recommended for LOL:
- Wat Sri Don Chai
- Pai Walking Street — “Great for taking photos”
- Moh Pang WaterfallΒ & Cafe Ong Pai for coffee
MR. DAM
Years lived in Pai:Β 4
Occupation:Β Owner of Toast Office cafe which offers a variety of Thai-style toasts (with chocolate sauce, dried pork floss, etc.) and great Pai coffee.
Where to find him:Β All day at Toast Office in Gaad Pud area
Recommended for LOL:
- Gard Put area–lots of *chill chill* cafes and restaurants
- Taan Jed Ton splash point–for a fun swim in a natural stream
- Wieng Neua–stunning ladder rice field crop
MS. NA
Years lived in Pai:Β 16
Occupation:Β Owner of βNaβs Kitchenβ, a really authentic family-run Thai restaurant.
Where to find her:Β At Naβs Kitchen from lunch time until late
Recommended for LOL:
- Wat Thung Pong Temple–Make a wish at the Buddha shrine there!
- Sunrise at Yun Lai
- Pai Canyon for Sunset
CAPTAIN JACK SPARROW
Years lived in Pai:Β 12 (Age 748)
Occupation:Β Retired Pirate & Owner of a bar in Pai Centre.Β He also produces and sells his own Pai wine (as opposed to rum!)
Where to find him:Β At his bar βNueng Nai Paiβ (“1 Nai Pai”) every evening
Recommended for LOL:
- Sunrise at Yun Lai
- Memorial Bridge
- Pai Walking Street — “Come to my Bar! Β Savvy? Β Hoohooooooo!”
GALLERY: LOLGO PAI (Part 1)
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