People come to Pai for various reasons. One of them is perhaps to escape their normal bustling life and observe the locals’ simple lifestyle. The good news is that you don’t need to be an early bird to appreciate that.

Pai’s evening market offers the same sense of the locals’ way of life and all things necessary for the people living there. The market and crowds here start building up around 3pm on the road leading toward Pai municipality and die down before sunset.

Besides the locals’ market, an open-air street market is also one of the town’s highlights. The street kicks into full life every Saturday when stall vendors bring their craftily designed products out to add to the variety already on offer in shops dotting the area. Here, you can get anything from hip souvenirs to boutique designer’s clothes and handbags.

For those who fancy sharing the wonderful experience of Pai with someone back home, Sabaidee Gallery and Mit Thai is just the place to go. There you can pick a postcard and start writing. Besides these, there is also Moo Shop, which is famous for funky design souvenirs and colourful postcards.

Then after a long walk and shopping you might pop into a cozy bar for a cool drink with nice music in the air at Ting Tong bar or B-Bob bar nearby before heading back to your hotel room for a well deserved sleep.

Although the cold season is still some months away, Pai remains a good choice for a quiet escape that allows you to get back in touch with nature. Plus the low season such as now during rainy season,allows you to the ultimate pleasure in Pai’s peaceful surrounding without having to worry about your wallet whether your prefered choice of accommodation is luxurious resort, mid-range or low cost hotels.

As you probably are aware, accommodation prices in Pai start from hundreds of Baht and can be as expensive as thousands. For those who fancy an economic stay, the top of Tesaban Road all the way to Chaisongkram Road through to the back of the alley behind Pai Wittayakarn School is the place to look. Accommodation in this area is mainly guesthouses with prices ranging between 200 and 500 Baht. Towards the back of Chaisongkram Road, however, stand two cozy resorts by the riverbank. These are Pai River Corner and Rim Pai Cottage. At the other end of this road, at the heart of the town, is a boutique resort called The Quarter Hotel, offering all kinds of facilities and pampering you can imagine. With such treat as The Quarter offers you won’t have to worry about the rain, as you probably wouldn’t want to leave the hotel except for a tour around town.

For those who yearn for a hip, stylish place amid nature, Yoma Hotel, an accommodation in the few thousands’ range, is worth checking out. The place doesn’t only offer modern luxuries but also has a panoramic view of Mount Mae Yen. Located on Chaisongkram Road, the place is within easy reach of town’s facilities.

Besides the two extreme ends, there are also some mid-range hotels of about a couple of thousands Baht a night in town as well. One of the kinds is Lilu Hotel, on Rangsiyanont Road. The place has all the modern facilities you can possibly imagine incorporated in an authentic wooden house and is in an easy reach of the town. Well, these are not all. Pai still has more to offer. You just have to come and explore it yourself!

“Pai” offers a wide variety of activities from dawn to dusk, but you might want to take it slow after a rough ride on the river Pai.

For early birds, a visit to the town’s morning market and a stroll along Rangsiyanon Road will surely open you to Pai’s simple way of life. There you can shop for light breakfast such as poached rice with fried dough, soya milk, grilled pork with sticky rice, coffee and even pastries.

Alternatively, you can opt for a lazy lie in and start your day by lingering over a nice cup of coffee in a comfy chair, gazing at the greenery behind curtains of raindrops, from your cost-effective hotel room. Then you might want to continue with the day’s laid-back atmosphere in Tha-Pai natural hot spring stream or in Tha-Pai Resort’s massive spa pool.

Come lunchtime, it’s best surveying your options in your chosen area - be it the in the town centre, by the river or with a mountain view. After lunch, grab a book and nestle back in bed for a nice read or head out to one of the many cozy coffee shops dotting the village with your favourite book.

If the ultimate relaxation and pampering are what you are looking for, check out The Quartre’s Rain-Spa for your afternoon retreat. Then head back to one of those restaurants that you eyed for at lunch but didn’t make it there and conclude your day with cool drinks and hip music at some of the town’s famous bars in the centre. What can be nicer than a day at your own pace, eh?

Mae Hongson’s artery, the river Pai, is bursting with energy again when the seasonal rain greets its origin, the two mountain ranges named Thanon Thongchai and Dan- Lao, with abundant amount of water. This creates the perfect condition for whitewater rafting of all levels of difficulties.

The 50-kilometre-long river, snaking through three different districts, including Pai itself, is packed with both adrenaline rushing experiences and scenic views along its whole stretch. Several dozens rapids en-route pose challenges ranging from level 1 up to level 5, or mild to extreme. Water games at the Su Sa waterfall, cave expeditions as well as mud-bathing and cliff diving are among many other highlights for adventure seekers to enjoy during their breaks from paddling.

It takes two days to complete the whole route, with an overnight stay in the jungle, allowing the crews to get back in touch with nature. However, there is a milder version for those who just fancy a taste of Pai’s excitement without losing their touch on the town’s hip cheap hotels.

Besides the two-day package, most tour operators also offer a one-day package, which gives a similar thrilling experience and at the same time allows you a good night sleep in a warm comfortable bed at the hotel of your choice. This way, whether you are luxurious holidaymakers or daredevil backpackers, Pai and her river can accommodate all your needs… even on the rainy day!

Note: Rafting trips are available from local tour operator such as  Pai Adventure: Tel 053 699 385;   Mae Hongson Adventure: Tel 0 5361 4286;  and Pai in the Sky: Tel 0 5369 8145, 0 5369 9090 

Further information on rafting in Pai and Mae Hongson is available from the local TAT’s office  via email at tatmhs@tat.or.th and on the phone at 053 612 982-3