Pai

From Wikitravel

Pai (pop. 3.000) is in North Thailand between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son on Route 1095 and offers a relaxed atmosphere with a broad travellers & backpackers scene.

Pai

Table of contents

1 Get in

1.1 By road:
1.2 By bus:
1.3 By plane:
1.4 By train:

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Get in

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By road:

Route 1095 connects Pai with Mae Hong Son (140 km) and Chiang Mai (140 km). It`s a very scenic drive through the mountains but takes several hours as it is steep and windy drive (but worth it).

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By bus:

Regular buses go to Chiang Mai (Arcade terminal) and Mae Hong Son, each is a 4 hours drive. Both public buses and private minibuses are available and every of the many travel agents will sell you a ticket.

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By plane:

There`s no airport in Pai so head for Chiang Mai.

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By train:

There`s no train service to Pai.

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Get around

The town itself is best explored on foot. A popular option is hiring a motorbike or bicycle to discover the region. Both are available at affordable rates from many agents along the main street.

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See

The town itself has no special sights, so it`s the relaxed atmosphere people are coming for.

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Do

Take a bicycle (B60-100 per day) or motorbike (starting at B140) and visit one of the nearby waterfalls and hill-tribe villages. Pai is also a major starting point for organized trekking tours which are on offer at every guesthouse and travel agent. White water rafting is also available.

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Buy

Take a look at some of the hill-tribe members selling handcrafts.

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Eat & Drink

Regarding the size of the town there is an astonishing number of restaurants most of them catering for the travellers need/ taste. Just choose the one that fits you most.

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Communication

Several internet cafes offer theit lines, most on Thanon Ratchadamnoen and Thanon Rangthiyanon.

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Sleep

There is an abundance of guesthouses in Pai most of them in the budget range. Mid-range options are rare and there is no top-end hotel. But this is not a package-tour-place ...

Rim Pai Cottages. 99/1 Moo 3. Tel. +6626730966, fax +6622119656. One of the more "upmarket" options in Pai and offers several kinds of wooden cottages starting at about B500 (Double incl. BF). Breakfast is offered on a nice open terrace overlooking the Pai river.

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