Pai, a great backpackers’ destination in Northern Thailand

Posted by paul on March 26th, 2009 filed in Attractions, Day trips, tourist tips

Pai in Mae Hong Son province offers a wide and varied range of recreational pursuits, which include:  motorbike trips, bamboo rafting, elephant back trekking and countryside walks. The mountainous landscapes and its location within close range to the border with Myanmar has resulted in several ethnic minority communities settle in this region and these hill-tribe villages may be explored by trekking adventures that often  strike out from the town of Pai.

In addition, several of the surrounding waterfalls are worthwhile to visit as well. White-water rafting has become increasingly popular and there’s the option to navigate on a raft nearly all of the way to the town of Mae Hong Son.

Mae Hong Son & Pai online guide

Pai retains a very active and vibrant Thai scene. Many people from Bangkok have purchased land here and constructed either resort facilities or private houses, trying to recreate what isn’t available anymore in Thailand’s bigger urban centres, creating an eclectic atmosphere.

Despite this development, Pai remains its small town feel but during the high season it can get very crowded with visiting tourists coming from every part of the world. So, if possible you should visit the town at the right time, trying to avoid the crowds in the peak season. 

In town you can find two ATM services. One is positioned opposite the bus terminal in front of Duang’s, while the other is available at Krung Thai Bank on Rungsiyon Road. The bank provides full currency exchange services and is open every working day from 08:30am until 16:30pm. Exchange services are also available at many guesthouses.