Pai district is situated about halfway between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, the misty city on the Burmese border. Pai at about 600 meters above sea level, surrounded by high mountains in the valley has fertile land clean air and no pollution. Pai is a truly relaxing. People from many different ethnic backgrounds live here peacefully together and try to maintain their traditional way of living.
The normally serene Pai river runs from the northern border with Burma through Pai town and along dense jungle to Mae Hong Sorn. Many travelling back packers adventurers use this route for exciting rafting.
Getting to Pai?
Air plane: Yes from Chiang mai by http://www.sga.co.th/main/index.php
Bus: Start from Chiang Mai on route 1095 towards Pai it is 132 kilometer.
The bus from Chiang Mai Arcade bus station takes about 4 hours.
Buses from Chiang Mai to Pai:
7.00, 8.30, 10.30, 12.30, 16.00
Buses from Pai to Chiang Mai:
7.00, 8.30, 11.00, 12.30, 16.30
Be warned it is a extremely windy road.
Population of Pai
Is mainly made of Thai Yai (from Burmas Shane state) and Thai hill tribes (Lisu, Lahu, Karen). In the actually town is mainly Thai, Thai-Chinese, many Thai-Muslim and plenty of foreign residents.
Climate in Pai
Cool season: 10 C - 28 C from November - March
Hot season: 24 C – 35 C from April - June
Rainy season: 24 C – 32 C from July - September
Tourist Attractions in Pai Vally
Old temples(wats):
* Wat Nam Hu
* Wat Phra That Mae Yen (mountain temple)
* Wat Klang and Wat Luang (temples where Thai Yai / Burmese architecture is preserved)
Wonders of nature:
* Ta Pai hot spring
* Pong Duad hot spring
* Mo Paeng waterfall (near Lahu village)
* Mae Yen waterfall
* Lod caves (these are beautiful and ancient caves on a large area where relics of prehistoric civilization were found. The area is a national park with lots of different birds.
Activities in Pai
* paddling rubber boat along Pai river
* Rafting or canoeing along Pai river
* exploring caves or go mountain trekking
* Riding elephants through jungle
* mountain bike cycling or motorbike-trekking Guides are available or on your own.
*Rent are Honda Dreams, good maps and other information.
* Jungle-treks: Pai is well known as a base camp for treks to the hill tribes. Walk through green jungle and spend the night in a hill tribe village to experience their traditional way of life. In Pai there are plenty of guides and porters available.
* Herbal Sauna and Thai Traditional Massage
*Herbal medicine or Burmese Massage
* Reading
* Thai cooking course
Pai Festivals:
* Loy Kratong (full moon night in November)
* fireworks competition at Wat Luang (beginning of November)
* Kin Wo (hill tribes New Year, February)
* Thai New Year (13 - 15 April)
* bamboo throwing festival (to ask for rain, May)
Facilities in Pai
Pai is a small town but can offer enough facilities such as a post office, hospital, long distance call and fax service. Accommodations and food are good and cheap. Most of the guest houses are in town and the scenic most beautiful ones are along the river. Local restaurants and western style restaurants are plentiful.