Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [362]
In addition to the two we list below, several exchange booths and ATMs can be found along Th Rangsiyanon and Th Chaisongkhram.
Bank of Ayudhaya (Th Rangsiyanon; 9am-8pm) ATM and foreign-exchange service.
Krung Thai Bank (Th Rangsiyanon) ATM and foreign-exchange service.
Siam Books (0 5369 9075; Th Chaisongkhram) Boasts the town’s largest selection of new and used books.
Tourist information booth (0 5369 9935; 8.30am-4.30pm) This small booth near the District Office is staffed with officials who speak basic English and who can provide a simple map of the area.
Sights & Activities
Many of Pai’s sights are found just outside the city centre and in the surrounding areas.
WAT PHRA THAT MAE YEN
This temple sits atop a hill and has good views overlooking the valley. Walk 1km east from the main intersection in town, across a stream and through a village, to get to the stairs (353 steps) that lead to the top. Or take the 400m sealed road that follows a different route to the top.
AROUND PAI
Northwest of town, the road that leads to the town hospital extends several kilometres to a Shan temple, a KMT village and a waterfall. The temple, Wat Nam Hoo, is about 2km from Pai and houses a sacred Buddha image said to have once emitted holy water from its head. The place is popular with visiting Thais and there’s a small market on the grounds. Approximately 2km further, the atmospheric KMT village of Ban Santichon boasts a small market, Yunnanese adobe-style accommodation (08 1024 3982) and a delicious Yunnanese restaurant ( Click here). Nam Tok Mo Paeng, the waterfall, has a couple of pools that are suitable for swimming and are best just after the rainy season, October to early December. There are Lahu and Lisu villages in the immediate area. The waterfall is a total of 8km from Pai – a long walk indeed, but suitable for a bike ride or short motorcycle trip. Motorcycle and bike rentals are available at several guesthouses, as well as at aYa Service ( Click here).
Across Mae Nam Pai and 7km southeast of town via a paved road is Tha Pai Hot Springs (admission 200B; 7am-6pm), a well-kept local park 1km from the road. A scenic stream flows through the park; the stream mixes with the hot springs in places to make pleasant bathing areas. There are also small public bathing houses into which hot spring water is piped. The water is also diverted to a couple of nearby spas; see below for details.
TREKKING & RAFTING
Most guesthouses in town can provide information on local trekking and a few offer guided treks for as little as 700B per day if there are no rafts or elephants involved. Among the more established local agencies are Back-Trax (0 5369 9739; backtraxinpai@yahoo.com; Th Chaisongkhram) and Duang Trekking (Duang Guest House; 0 5369 9101; 8 Th Rangsiyanon).
Rafting along the Mae Nam Pai during the wet season is also a popular activity. Back-Trax offers rafting options, but Thai Adventure Rafting (0 5369 9111; www.thairafting.com; Th Rangsiyanon) is generally considered the most professional outfit. It leads two-day white-water rafting trips in sturdy rubber rafts, from Pai to Mae Hong Son for 2500B per person including food, rafting equipment, camping gear, dry bags and insurance. On the way, rafters visit a waterfall, a fossil reef and hot springs; one night is spent at the company’s permanent riverside camp. One-day trips are also available for 1500B on slightly easier rapids. The main rafting season typically runs from mid-June to mid-February.
ELEPHANT RIDING
The road that leads to Tha Pai Hot Springs now boasts several elephant camps. The most established of these, and with an office in town, is Thom’s Pai Elephant Camp (0 5369 9286; www.thomelephant.com; Th Rangsiyanon; elephant rides per person 500-1200B). You can choose between riding bareback or in a seat, and some rides include swimming