Pai

Our expert Thailand

Pai

Pai Pai's market takes place in the village's main street. © Veronica Maiella

Coming from the Chiang Mai direction you'll come to the village of Pai, more or less on the Burmese border, after 272 twists and turns along a winding mountain road in the Mae Hong Son region. Bear in mind that it will take a good 3 hours' journey and you'll need plenty of concentration to prevent you from suffering from motion sickness! It's certainly worth the trouble though! You won't find a big, impressive city here, but rather four little roads criss-crossing each other, a nighttime market that ends at 9:00pm, and a feeling of serenity that is certainly likely to take you aback after coming from the major tourist hubs. Plus, this is all set against the backdrop of the mountains.

Pai is a peaceful little place that is particularly well known among Australian, American, and British backpackers who tend to stop off here before setting off to hike in the surrounding areas. The jungle and the mountains are both within easy reach and are the real attractions of the village. They offer the ideal environment for a gentle stroll or a more demanding hike, and give you the opportunity to possibly encounter some of the northern tribes.