5 Things to do in Pai – Thailand – TREKwithBECK
If you are looking for places to visit in Northern Thailand, Pai is most likely on your list! This is a small town located about 2-3 hours from Chiang Mai and is very popular with backpackers.
It is a very chilled town and I’ll be honest, there isn’t much to do here. I spent a week here exploring and completing a Muay Thai bootcamp, I can say you will not need a week here! This is a town I would recommend visiting, especially if you want to relax for a few days. But I wouldn’t come here expecting to do a lot.
There are some activities on this list I didn’t complete myself, but I’ve added in case you want to visit them yourself. If you want to know some great restaurants to visit in Pai, you can check out my blog here.
How to get to Pai?
The easiest way to get to Pai, is from Chiang Mai. Here, you can easily catch a minivan from the bus terminal in Chiang Mai, to Pai. This minivan will drop you off right in the city centre, and you can most likely walk to your accommodation.
The best place to book this transport is through 12go Asia. I highly recommend this site for any of your transport bookings through Southeast Asia, I would however, make sure to book in advance during peak times.
TIP – the roads are very windy and if you get motion sickness, I recommend taking some drugs before hitting the road.
How to get around Pai?
If you are staying in the main centre of Pai, you can easily walk everywhere in the town within 20 minutes. However, if you are staying slightly out of town like I was, or want to explore the waterfalls/hot springs – you will need to rent a scooter.
If you are a newbie scooter rider, this is a very good place to learn how to ride. The streets are wide, the traffic is little (besides the night markets), and the roads aren’t too bendy. I would recommend getting a scooter lesson if you are new and don’t know how to drive, Vespai rental do offer lessons for 100 Baht, but it can get busy. A scooter rental will cost anywhere between 100-200 Baht a day.
Just keep in mind you will need an international drivers license with a motor cycle license to drive a scooter over 50CC in Thailand legally. This doesn’t mean people don’t do it, and places won’t rent to you – they do. It just something to keep in mind if you plan on driving all around Thailand, as you will be fined by police if they pull you over.
There are a few taxis in Pai, but not many. You can also rent a bicycle if you would prefer this over a scooter.
1. Pai Walking Street/Night Markets
This is a must if in Pai and something you won’t be able to miss, especially if you are staying in the Pai main town. Pai walking street is open during the day, but the markets are only on at night from 6-10pm. These markets are hectic and very busy. But it is a great way to try heaps of authentic Thai food and shop for some goodies to take home.
They are super busy from 6-8pm, then it starts to quiet down a little. There are bars on the main walking street, which usually have offers if you are looking for a bit of a party night. Bring small cash and plenty of room in your belly!
2. Learn Muay Thai
This was the main reason I came to Pai, to learn Muay Thai. There are multiple gyms in the area that offer 1 day to 6-month Muay Thai bootcamps. I signed up to a one-week bootcamp at Sitjemam and stayed on site.This cost me $240 AUD and included 2 training sessions a day, accommodation, and use of their gear.
I would highly recommend this bootcamp! The training is intense, and the classes do get big some days, but it is very in depth and well worth it. It’s also very affordable for backpackers!
Photo by Bruno Bueno on Pexels.com
3. Visit Pai Canyon
This is somewhere I didn’t get time to visit with my time in Pai, as I was worried about driving a scooter at night as a newbie rider. But I have heard that although it isn’t somewhere where you would stop all day, it is a good stop for sunset! It does get very busy though, so make sure to come early to secure a spot.
There are some food trucks to get drinks/food if needed, and it is recommended to wear good shoes as it can be slippery in some spots.
4. Chill at the Fluid Swimming Pool
I personally was very happy to hear that Pai had a public swimming pool! Pai was extremely hot while I was there, and I really needed a place to cool off. The Fluid Swimming pool is open to the public at a cost of 100 Baht for the day. In the morning its very chilled here and a great place to relax, in the afternoon it turns into a bit of a party spot.
There is a live DJ, change rooms, bar and restaurant. There aren’t many chairs to relax at, but there is a large laying area with umbrellas, they also do offer matts to lay on this area. It’s well worth a visit on a hot day in Pai.
5. Visit the Hot Springs and Waterfalls
This is another couple locations I didn’t visit in Pai, mainly because I am travelling to better waterfalls when I am in Southeast Asia, and honestly…these didn’t look like they were worth the trip to me. However, if you are bored and want to go exploring, these may be worth your while!
- Sai Ngam Hot Springs – 200 Baht for adults, 20 Baht for motorcycles
- Ta Pai Hot Springs – 300 Baht
- Hua Chang Waterfall
- Pambok Waterfall
Would I recommend visiting here?
If you have a few days to spare and want to go somewhere you can chill, then yes. Short on time and must pick between here and somewhere else, then no. Like I said at the start, Pai is very chilled but there isn’t much to do here. If I wasn’t completing a Muay Thai bootcamp I would have only spent 3 days here, not 7.
Nevertheless, I am happy I went as I was able to learn how to ride a scooter here on quiet roads, learnt Muay Thai and was able to eat to my heart’s content!