Pai, let's go. Why wait? Let's go to Pai.

The first cold spell of the year has arrived, and the first trip is to Pai. Why wait? Pai it is. "Pai District" in Mae Hong Son Province. Let me tell you, traveling to Pai, a district nestled in the mountains, requires navigating thousands of curves. This is not my first time here. From my first visit to now, it has been about 10 years, I believe. It was around the time the movie "Love of Siam" was popular. I can honestly say that my first trip to Pai was inspired by that movie.

My second trip to Pai was sparked by my sister's passion for running. She impulsively signed up for a mini-marathon, and we tagged along. Fortunately, our visit coincided with the first cold spell of the year, making the experience even more enjoyable.

Traveling to Pai district is not difficult at all. You can drive your own car and follow the signs, although the road has many curves. It is recommended not to drive alone and have a friend to talk to.

For those on a tight budget and without a car, public transportation is also very convenient. Take a bus or plane to Chiang Mai, then take a van from Chiang Mai to Pai at the Chiang Mai Arcade Transportation Terminal. There are good quality vans from the company Prem Pracha Transport available for 150 baht/trip, which will take you directly to Pai district. From there, you can rent a motorbike, which are readily available near the bus stop, with prices ranging from 100-300 baht/day (excluding a deposit of 1000-2000 baht).

D1

The first day

This trip, we traveled by private car. We planned to arrive in Pai in the late evening so that we could stop to watch the sunset at Huai Nam Dang National Park. As soon as we got out of the car, we had to hurry back to get our jackets because the temperature was very cold, around 10 degrees Celsius.

At Huai Nam Dang National Park, camping is permitted. However, locals advise that sleep may be difficult due to the extreme cold and strong winds. The wind can cause tents to flap, potentially disrupting sleep for those unaccustomed to such conditions.

As the golden light dipped below the horizon, we continued driving for another 30 kilometers to reach our accommodation. We stayed at Baan Pak Lanna Thai, located on the Pai-Mae Hong Son road at kilometer 100, not far from Pai Airport and the district center. The location was peaceful, as the guesthouse is situated within the military compound of Camp Sornbandit, similar to a welfare store. Reservations are not available, but guests can contact the guesthouse directly. Prices start from 350 baht per night, and there is also a camping area available.

After settling into our accommodation, we ventured out to explore the Pai Walking Street. Parking a private car in Pai can be a bit of a challenge, as parking spaces are limited. We ended up parking a bit further away and walking to our destination. For dinner, we decided to try the legendary Nong Beer Restaurant, a popular spot among both locals and tourists. Located at the intersection of the Pai Walking Street, this restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes to satisfy any craving.

Pai Walking Street is mainly divided into two zones: the food and souvenir zone, and the bar party zone. There are a lot of foreigners here, so you can practice your English in Pai. You won't see many Thai people, or maybe we went to a zone where Thai people don't go. 555+

D2

Notes:

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Good morning, it's late morning. The fog has already cleared, but we secretly saw the fog in the morning. But we were sleepy, so we slept for a long time. We woke up again at 10 am and looked for breakfast. Do you think we will find it? 555+ Brunch at 11.00 am. In the end, we ended up having breakfast and brunch at an Italian-style fast food restaurant. I don't know if it's Italian, but the owner is Italian. I give this restaurant 5 stars. The food is good and the owner is friendly. Because rarely any Thai people come to the restaurant. I think so, haha. The restaurant is called Witching Well and is located on the walking street of Pai. The upstairs is a guesthouse. (The food is not expensive)

Let's try the wine in the picture and get drunk all afternoon. Hehe.

Let's continue our journey and find a place to have lunch. Our destination is "Kway Teow Hoy Khai Baan Ja Bo", a restaurant located about an hour away from Pai in the direction of Pang Ma Pha District. The atmosphere here is fantastic, but it can get crowded during weekends. The price of Kway Teow starts at 35 Baht, and the taste is excellent. However, if you don't like sour or spicy food, you might not enjoy it as much, as it's a spicy Tom Yum noodle soup. While you're enjoying your meal with your legs dangling, you can admire the beautiful mountain views. If you come early in the morning, you might even catch a glimpse of the sea of mist. **A must-try here is the "Ja Bo Klu" coffee, which you won't find anywhere else.**

On the last day, we had to wake up very early, at 4 am, to go to the **Pai Historical Bridge**. This year, they were holding the first-ever Pai Half Marathon to promote tourism. We had the opportunity to see the morning mist clearly and in its entirety. The mist was truly heavy.

Before leaving, don't miss the opportunity to visit the community restaurant Baan Santichon in the Yunnan Chinese Village, famous for its red pork leg and mantou.

Next, stop by Coffee In Love, a yellow house in Pai, for a souvenir photo. Those who visited Pai before it became bustling wouldn't have missed taking a picture here. However, the large kilometer marker is no longer there.

Red pork leg 250฿ Steamed bun 30฿ Plain rice 10฿

On our way to Chiang Mai, we stopped to soak our feet in the Boiling Spring, a natural hot spring created by Mother Nature.

A Short Trip to Pai: 3 Days of Food and Nature

This 3-day, 2-night trip to Pai was primarily focused on indulging in the local cuisine. While we did enjoy some sightseeing along the way, the main focus was on experiencing the unique flavors and dishes that Pai has to offer.

Our journey took us through stunning natural landscapes, offering glimpses of the area's beauty. This exposure to a new environment, with its distinct atmosphere, deepened our appreciation and understanding of nature.

As the saying goes, "Come spend a night in Pai." This short trip served as a reminder to embrace new experiences and appreciate the wonders of the natural world.

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