An Introduction to the laid back Village of Pai
The village of Pai is located in Mae Hong Son and found along highway 1095, the connector for Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son Town. In the past it was a calm market village the Shan people called home. The Shan are a people influenced by the Burmese and are considered ethnic Thai.
Today the village looks to tourism for its economic survival. Backpackers flock to Pai because of its cheap accommodations along with restaurants and shops to buy unique souvenirs. The atmosphere of the village is laid back and relaxed and nearby visitors will be thrilled to note there are elephant camps and spas.
If you travel a little further from Pai you can visit a few waterfalls and several natural hot springs with temperatures that range from 175 degrees to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. You can find resorts that tap into the hot springs in order to provide hot water into pools for the public as well as to private bungalows.
Attractions in or near Pai
Lying at the foot of the mountains, Pai is the ideal base for backpackers and tourists when they visit the hill tribes such as the Lisu, Hmong and Karen and/or go trekking. Wednesday draws crowds of colorful characters, the Pai Valley’s tribal peoples and the villagers themselves to the exceptional Wednesday Market.
Pai has finally gained enough recognition for a place on the tourist map of Thailand. It can now boast its own airport and some small and medium luxury resorts. Accommodations in Pai before the new resorts were built were limited to the over 115 restaurants and guesthouses. Even though development, slow as it is in coming to Pai, the village still retains the ambiance of a small and serene town when tourist season ends. High season for Pai is typically during the months of November until the end of March.
There are plenty of things to see and do when visiting Pai. It is an ideal destination where you can stop and smell the roses while you drink in the beauty of Northern Thailand. There is the lovely, winding River Pai to explore along with the culture and customs of the villagers and nearby peoples. Pai is a place to taste traditional Thai fare and mingle with the true, native people of Thailand.
Photo by John Glines
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