If you dream of a Thailand holiday getaway far away from mass tourism then Pai could well be a place you need to explore in detail. Situated about halfway between Mae Hong Son and Chang Mai, in close proximity to the Myanmar border lies the bohemian village of Pai.

In the old days Pai used to be a mountain village like many found in Thailand, nestled in between the northern mountains of Thailand among green carpeted fields of rice paddocks, fruit groves and undiscovered jungle. It is to the casual observer a picture book location with the meandering river Pai running lazily through the valley.

Discover Pai:
Nowadays Pai is a little more busy as it has become a thriving backpacker destination, albeit still quiet enough to reflect and discover some of Thailand’s best kept secrets.

The community of Pai is friendly and it isn’t rare that you walk down the streets and end up in a conversation with locals or other tourists. Despite Pai’s rising popularity you can laze away each day or get really adventurous and discover some of the nearby attractions.

Where to sleep in Pai:
Sleeping in Pai is easy as there is a wide range of cheap, affordable guesthouses. If you want to liven it up a little you can also choose from many new upmarket resorts. If you prefer you can also stay in an elephant camp. Those are situated all around the town and offer exciting elephant treks into Thailand’s nature.

What to do in Pai:
Besides kicking back your travel weary feet and taking it easy you can do a lot in Pai if you are up for it. There is a great selection of market stalls, souvenir shops and restaurants that let you sample the local Thai fare. The local market takes place each Wednesday and attracts a crowd of colorful tribal people from the surrounding hills to barter their home-made goods.

Since Pai lies nestled within the northern mountains and hills of Thailand it lends itself as the perfect starting base for trekking. From casual walks around town to sweat inducing fun treks that last several days you won’t get bored quickly while staying in Pai.

Visit the surrounding tribes of Karen, Lisu, Lahu or Hmong people and step back in time as you learn about their customs and way of life.

Pai hot springs:
Pai is also known for its fabulous hot springs where you can soak your tired muscles after a hard trekking excursion. These natural hot springs can be found all around the region with temperatures of between 80 to 200 degrees Celsius.

How to get to Pai:
Thanks to a relatively new airport with several daily flights getting to and from Pai is fuss-free and easy. Be mindful of the high season between November and March and book ahead if you want to secure a bed in Pai during that time as a larger number of tourist choose Pai for a Thailand holiday.