Pai was once a quiet market village primarily inhabited by Shan people, whose culture originated in Burma. As it lies at the feet of the mountains it's a good base for trekking and visiting hill tribes like Karen, Hmong and Lisu. Well-known among backpackers for its relaxed atmosphere, the town is full of cheap guest houses, souvenir shops and restaurants. In the proximity of the town are spas, and elephant-camps. Outside of town several hot springs, natural and man-made, and a waterfall can be found. Another notable attraction is the region's famous Wednesday Market, occurring weekly, which can bring crowds of up to 10,000 local villagers through the course of one day.
Recently Pai has received major infrastructure upgrades including SGA Airline between Chiang Mai – Pai, two of 7-11, several small to medium-size resorts, a couple of live music clubs, beer bars and two traffic lights.
Accommodation The T2T dorm in Pai is a big wooden Thai style house with a large living room and a separate dinning/study room. There are 3 bedrooms with bunk beds and mosquito nets that can accommodate up to 3 volunteers each. The kitchen area is equipped with a gas cooker, toaster, fridge, water kettle and all the necessary cooking ware. The bathroom has a Thai style toilet and a hot water shower. The dorm is located in a typical Thai neighborhood, so it is perfect to experience Thai culture and life. Furthermore, the dorm is walking distance from the schools and all the shops.
Food
The kitchen is well equipped with a fridge, toaster, water kettle and gas cookers so you can cook your own food. In the past, we have enjoyed buying fresh fruit and vegetables from the market in order to practice our Thai cooking skills with the support of Mam. There are an abundance of restaurants and food stalls offering Thai and western food in Pai, some open in the morning, some at night. Every afternoon there is a food market in the main street of Pai and there are several bakeries, food stalls and stores, as well as a Seven Eleven so you can buy “western” food, milk, yogurt etc.
Weather
Due to its elevation, Pai is considerably cooler than most of Thailand. Although still hot during the day (20 to 25 degress in the November to January cool season and above 30 degrees during the March and April hot season) tempratures drop to below 10 degrees at night particularly in the cold season. The cooler climate also brings advantages as its far less humid during the day and the coolor tempratures discourage mosquitos.
Activities
Pai offers plenty of opportunity for adventure and sight seeing. There is climbing, hiking, tubing or rafting down the Mae Nam Pai and numerous waterfalls and hot springs. In Pai town there is a swimming pool and a gym as well as a herbal sauna and we can arrange socio-culturally sound trekking tours to ethnic minority villages.
Pai also offers many opportunities to learn and practise spiritual arts such as yoga, Tai Chi, meditation or massage as well as cooking classes. There is a lively music scene in town with frequent concerts and jam sessions which anyone can join. There is also an excellent selection of books available in the many book stores and last but not least Pai has a little cinema where movies can be chosen individually
How to get to Pai
Pai, is a three hours bus ride from Chiang Mai. Public buses to Mae Hong Son leave from Chiang Mai´s Arcade bus station at 8.30, 11, 12 am and 2, 4 pm. The slightly more expensive 12 seater mini vans leave irregularly whenever filled up.
How to get around Pai
Pai downtown only consists of a few crossroads and can be easily walked or biked around. There are no tuk-tuks or any other means of public transportation around town. Motorbikes can be rented for excursions and private transportation can be arranged on request.
Pai; Pai, is on Route 1095, btw. Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai. Pai town is full of cheap guesthouses, ... In the proximity of the town are spas and elephant camps. As Pai lies at the foot of the mountains, tourists use it as a base for trekking and visiting Karen, Hmong, Lisu and Lahu. Another notable attraction is the town's excellent Wednesday Market which brings large and colorful crowds of local villagers and tribal people from all around the Pai Valley.
Pai " A Tiny Pai"
I would like to say all about Pai, a tiny small-town relaxation, Pai-Nightlife or Pai-Lifestyle, White-Water Rafting and Route 1095 from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son. But I think, You have more detail to describe "Pai" than me. That right, I need your comments. I visited Pai many times. Pai may be change from the 20 yrs past.Today Pai has a lot of accommodations, activities, especially outdoor adventures. But Pai Still has Pai's allure.
C. Singha,Thailand.
C. Singha,Thailand.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Pai's Season
Pai’s Season
Between August – February is The Pai’s Season
We just know that Pai is "Home of Paradise" for everybody leaving out their routine lifestyle and someone who want to create novel. Long time ago, Pai is well known only in Thai novelists and outdoor adventurers.
Pairivermountain.com
“Come and hear the story of the river and the mountain. Listen to the bird song while you enjoy delicious food and drink surrounded by beautiful nature”.
Pai's Season: Right now It's a time of Pai River, bird song and beatiful nature
Pai Story
Halfway between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, the mountain road makes a winding descent into a large green valley carpeted with rice paddies and fruit groves. Mountains rise on all sides and butterflies flit along the streets. Here you'll find a tiny town called Pai, named after the river that runs through the valley.
The Pai River itself is one of the main attractions here. Outfitters organize rafting adventures on some pretty raucous rapids from July to January. Trekking is also popular, with 2- and 3-day treks to Karen, Lahu, and Lisu villages. The adventurous can find a local map for self-guided hikes to nearby waterfalls and caves, but quite a few wayfarers just lounge in town living simply and enjoying the nightlife. Many local business owners are foreigners or bohemian Thais who come here for a better life than in busy Bangkok or Chiang Mai. The town is a bit too laid back for some, but many are drawn to the languid rhythms of this peaceful spot. In Pai, every day is a lazy Sunday.
Attractions
There's little in the way of tour sites in Pai but it's a great place to stroll along country lanes or even rent a motorbike and buzz around the countryside. There are a few small temples: Wat Klang is next to the bus station and has several small pagodas surrounding a central stupa and Wat Hodana and Wat Nam Hu are west of Route 1095: Nam Hu is known for its Chiang Saen-era Buddha, whose hollow head is filled with holy water. There's a waterfall about 7km (4 1/3 miles) west of town past the two wats, and a hot spring about 7km to the east, past the Pai High school.
The Pai River is the most exciting attraction. Overnight White water rafting trips take you through some exciting rapids as well as more scenic lazy spots, through canyons walled with prehistoric fossilized lime and shell as well as a wildlife sanctuary. A pioneer of the rafting business here, long-time resident Guy Gorias runs Thai Adventure Rafting ; tel. 05369-9111. There are regular trips from July to January. Two-day adventures begin and end in the town of Pai. There are many imitators in town, but Thai Adventure is the best outfit by far, with high safety standards and quality equipment. They can also make the necessary arrangements for pick-up and drop-off in Mae Hong Son.
Small trekking companies, operated by locals, are at every guesthouse and all along the main streets. Duang Trekking (Duang Guesthouse; tel. 05369-9101) has a good reputation. Group treks go for 3 days and 2 nights to Lisu, Karen, Tai Yai and Lahu villages in the hills around Pai. Duang Trekking, like its many competitors, is quite flexible and can tailor any trek or provide private guides according to need.
Between August – February is The Pai’s Season
We just know that Pai is "Home of Paradise" for everybody leaving out their routine lifestyle and someone who want to create novel. Long time ago, Pai is well known only in Thai novelists and outdoor adventurers.
Pairivermountain.com
“Come and hear the story of the river and the mountain. Listen to the bird song while you enjoy delicious food and drink surrounded by beautiful nature”.
Pai's Season: Right now It's a time of Pai River, bird song and beatiful nature
Pai Story
Halfway between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son, the mountain road makes a winding descent into a large green valley carpeted with rice paddies and fruit groves. Mountains rise on all sides and butterflies flit along the streets. Here you'll find a tiny town called Pai, named after the river that runs through the valley.
The Pai River itself is one of the main attractions here. Outfitters organize rafting adventures on some pretty raucous rapids from July to January. Trekking is also popular, with 2- and 3-day treks to Karen, Lahu, and Lisu villages. The adventurous can find a local map for self-guided hikes to nearby waterfalls and caves, but quite a few wayfarers just lounge in town living simply and enjoying the nightlife. Many local business owners are foreigners or bohemian Thais who come here for a better life than in busy Bangkok or Chiang Mai. The town is a bit too laid back for some, but many are drawn to the languid rhythms of this peaceful spot. In Pai, every day is a lazy Sunday.
Attractions
There's little in the way of tour sites in Pai but it's a great place to stroll along country lanes or even rent a motorbike and buzz around the countryside. There are a few small temples: Wat Klang is next to the bus station and has several small pagodas surrounding a central stupa and Wat Hodana and Wat Nam Hu are west of Route 1095: Nam Hu is known for its Chiang Saen-era Buddha, whose hollow head is filled with holy water. There's a waterfall about 7km (4 1/3 miles) west of town past the two wats, and a hot spring about 7km to the east, past the Pai High school.
The Pai River is the most exciting attraction. Overnight White water rafting trips take you through some exciting rapids as well as more scenic lazy spots, through canyons walled with prehistoric fossilized lime and shell as well as a wildlife sanctuary. A pioneer of the rafting business here, long-time resident Guy Gorias runs Thai Adventure Rafting ; tel. 05369-9111. There are regular trips from July to January. Two-day adventures begin and end in the town of Pai. There are many imitators in town, but Thai Adventure is the best outfit by far, with high safety standards and quality equipment. They can also make the necessary arrangements for pick-up and drop-off in Mae Hong Son.
Small trekking companies, operated by locals, are at every guesthouse and all along the main streets. Duang Trekking (Duang Guesthouse; tel. 05369-9101) has a good reputation. Group treks go for 3 days and 2 nights to Lisu, Karen, Tai Yai and Lahu villages in the hills around Pai. Duang Trekking, like its many competitors, is quite flexible and can tailor any trek or provide private guides according to need.
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