The
small town of Pai is not like any other town you
may visit in Thailand.
It has developed a unique and distinct character of its own, which is based on
atmosphere rather than any special attractions. It has a remote location, not
far from one of Thailand's
most northern towns, Mae Hong Song, and next to the huge wilderness of the
off-limits ShanState
in Burma.
The
town itself is situated in a mostly dry and flat area that looks similar to
many other rural farming areas in this part of Thailand. Getting here is part of
the fun as the narrow road winds over the top of some beautiful mountains. The
forests are lush and dense, the temperature is cool and the vistas are truly
breathtaking. Arriving in Pai makes you feel as though you have escaped the
real world.
Pai
attracts many different types of people, from new age travellers through to
those looking for some peace and relaxation. It's a far cry from the pollution
and noise of Bangkok,
or the upmarket hotels and commercialism of Phuket. There are none of the
expensive and lavish resorts found elsewhere in Thailand.
The
riverside bungalows here are the perfect place to stay and provide you with
everything you need. The basic facilities and laid-back service are all part of
the appeal, and the lack of development in the town has helped retain the
chilled out reputation it has.
But
don't be fooled in to thinking that there isn't anything to do in Pai. There is
a good choice of activities offered by numerous agents in the town including
enduro motorcycle excursions, white-water rafting and trekking. If you don't
want to be part of an organised group, then you can do your own thing by
visiting PaiCanyon or by making a trip to the
waterfall in the northwest of the town.
Another
popular option is to rent a motorbike and cruise along some of the roads in the
valley. The more adventurous might want to try some of the challenging off-road
trails nearby. If, however, you just want to relax, then you won't be
disappointed either. It's also worth taking the time to call in at the small
elephant camp located a short distance from the town, and at the hot springs which are a
great place to head to on a chilly winter morning.
Pai
has a steady flow of visitors during the dry winter months when the weather is
at its best. During the monsoon rains, tourist numbers drop and it’s usually
the backpackers that keep businesses ticking over. The town also has a small
group of expats that have escaped their stress-filled lives in their native
countries for something completely different. They somehow manage to get by
with the odd bit of work and are happy to blend in with the local lifestyle.
Pai
isn't a place solely for foreigners as the Thais also are regular visitors. University
students in particular enjoy the relaxed lifestyle and bohemian atmosphere, and
they also benefit from the cheap lodgings and restaurants. Regular tour buses
on their way to Mae Hong Song often call in for a brief stop.
If
you have a limited amount of time and it's your first visit to the area, then
it's a great way to experience this part of Northern
Thailand. There is an established 'loop' that takes you to Pai,
Mae Hong Song and returns to Chiang Mai via the southern approach and the
impressive DoiInthanonNational Park.
There
has been a steady rise in visitor numbers in Pai over the last several years,
mainly due to its presence in various guide books and its establishment on the
backpacker trail. The local people have benefited in many ways as they continue
to build restaurants, bars, guesthouses and set up tour agencies. Fortunately,
none of the international hotel groups have bought land or property in the
area, so it retains a small town feel.
However,
the old grass airport nearby has recently been paved, so it seems unlikely that
Pai will retain its special appeal forever. If you're planning a visit in the
near future, then you will surely enjoy the relaxed and laid back pace of life,
beautiful scenery, traffic-free roads and the wide choice of great bars and
restaurants.
Northern Thailand
is one of Andy
Burrow’s favourite destinations. His favourite travel source about Pai is;
1stopchiangmai – Pai travel guide and
http://www.1stopthailand.com/mae-hong-son/
to Mai Hong Son province in Northern
Thailand