This laid-back mountain town in Northern Thailand draws backpackers with its jungle-covered hills, hot springs, and street food markets. Local temples and waterfall trails add to its appeal.
Pai is a small mountain town in northern Thailand, 146 kilometers from Chiang Mai. The town sits between mountains and rice fields, with several natural spots nearby like the Pai Hot Springs and Pam Bok Waterfall. You can walk through the narrow paths of Pai Canyon, swim in clear pools beneath Mo Paeng Waterfall, or browse food stalls at the evening market on Walking Street. While tourism has grown since the 1990s, the streets remain quiet enough to hear birds singing in the morning and crickets chirping at night.
Moving Around Pai
The town center takes about 20 minutes to walk from end to end. For visiting waterfalls and hot springs, you can rent a motorcycle for 150-200 baht per day from shops along the main street. If you don't ride motorcycles, guesthouses organize shared taxis to main attractions for around 100 baht per person. Bicycles cost 50-100 baht per day and work well for exploring the valley's rice fields and nearby villages within 5 kilometers of town.
