Pai : January 2009
As new year holidays was approaching and I too was among herd of Thais who seeks their ideal getaway on the northern province and particularly the much-talked-about Pai, a small little town in Mae Hong Son province known for its artsy culture made popular with settlement of advertising-gone-hippie-people 10 years ago. A 3-4 hours ride (Van or Bus) or 25 minutes flight from Chiang Mai will get you to Pai,a tiny little town with small coffee shops/art galleries popped up along the narrow street has set a classic trend of handmade postcards sending. By then it has been famous among back packers and budget travelers. Lodging is vastly affordable and costs between Baht 300 – 3,000 (or up to Baht 6,000 during high season).Pai in its limelight is being featured in mass media, reviewed extensively on various websites (see some useful links below), photographed millions times by both professional and amateur photographers.
Thailand being a country located not too far from the equator, has only 2 seasons in a year, which are summer (hot) and extreme summer (a hotter summer). The average temperature all year round falls between 37 – 42 degrees Celsius. However, we are blessed with approximately 2 weeks of cool winter breeze each year. That is enough for Thai people to seek their ideal get away on the northern peaks during these two weeks. The popular destinations are provinces of; Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Tak, etc…
- Pai town map
- The walking street atmosphere.
- Various food stalls are ready to serve ur hunger. No recommendation for what’s good, treat it as finger foods – nibble here and there as you roam about town
Pai in its limelight is being featured in mass media, reviewed extensively on various websites (see some useful links below), photographed millions times by both professional and amateur photographers.
Having heard and seen so much, we decided to visit this legendary tourist destination and to fall in love with it.
We know it would be too crowded and already tried avoiding 31th, 1st, 2nd which all hotels were fully booked anyway.
Pai in my experience (which might be opposed by others) has transformed into another Kaosarn and Chiangmai walking streets on this remote mountain valley. Those who have visited Pai few years back would have agreed with me. It has transformed a great deal into little urban town with neon lights from 7-11, consumer banks and a walking streets where vendors sell mass produced souvenirs
Nevertheless, Pai is yet another great life-fulfilling experience for me. Having exchanged laughter with street vendors, listened to a Thai wife yelling at hotel staff for her misplaced breakfast, these locals are amazingly positive people. This is the quality of life that urbanites like us will never experience – not that we don’t want to but the environment does not allow us to be.
The final verdict: If you have not been there and want to visit. Never go during peak season! Herd of tourists truly blinds away the real beauty of Pai.
I will be reviewing the hotel in the next post.
Links about Pai:
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-city/Thailand/Pai/tpod.html
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