Thailand - Pai (Mae Hong Son)

Pai town

Photo Gallery of Pai (Mae Hong Son) in Thailand.

Pai is a small town in Mae Hong Son Province, Northern Thailand, near the Myanmar border. The town is located along the way called Mae Hong Son loop that is a 600km circuit that starts from Chiang Mai and goes through the province of Mae Hong Son. Although there are many views, the city is named after the Pai river.

Pai was once a quiet village inhabited by Shan people (*1), however, the city is now a popular place to visit by foreigners and Thai people as well, influenced by the thai movie "Pai in Love".

The place is surrounded by high hills ranging from 600-1200 meters above the sea level, hot in summer and very cold at night in winter. With mild climate and rich nature, you can enjoy trekking, elephant rides, rafting, kayaking and so on.

We visited there in May, 2009;
Bangkok -> (airplane) -> Chiang Mai -> (car) -> Mae Hong Son -> (car) -> Pai (here) -> (car) -> Chiang Mai -> (airplane) ->Bangkok
(We traveled in the clockwise direction this time; from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son, then Mae Hong Son to Pai, and Pai back to Chiang Mai.)
*1) Shan people (from Wikipedia)
The Shan are a Thai ethnic group of Southeast Asia. The Shan live primarily in the Shan State of Burma (Myanmar), but also inhabit parts of Mandalay Division, Kachin State, and Kayin State, and in adjacent regions of China and Thailand. ...

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The town
Night Scenery
Wat Klang
Coffee in Love
World War II Memorial Bridge
Wat Nam Hoo
Tham Nam Lod
Pai Canyon

[Pai] The town

Now, let's go around the town with me.
The town is small but you can enjoy the rich nature and the mild atmosphere and feel very relaxing. :D

The town Going to the Pai town
The town Going to the Pai town
Not so quiet but a quite busy place with visitors.	Tourists enjoy going for a walk.
Town 1 Not so quiet but a quite busy place with visitors.	Town 2 Tourists enjoy going for a walk.

Town 3 Oh, I found a Seven-Eleven like in my city. :D	Pai river 1 Pai river, going through the city. Bungalow-like guest houses can be seen over there.	Pai river 2 Bamboo bridge over the river. The way splits in two.
Town 3 Oh, I found a Seven-Eleven like in my city. :D	Pai river 1 Pai river, going through the city. Bungalow-like guest houses can be seen over there.	Pai river 2 Bamboo bridge over the river. The way splits in two.

Pai river 3 Around the river.	Pai river 4 A dog was walking on the bridge.	Pai river 5 From another angle.	Flower I'm wondering what kind... Cosmos ?
Pai river 3 Around the river.	Pai river 4 A dog was walking on the bridge.	Pai river 5 From another angle.	Flower I'm wondering what kind... Cosmos ?
Town 4 Tourists carrying backpacks.		Gift shop A lot of bags.	Small shrine Along a street.
		Gift shop A lot of bags.	Small shrine Along a street.
		Bicycle Rental bicycles.	Net cafe Looks like an internet cafe.
Town 4 Tourists carrying backpacks.		Bicycle Rental bicycles.	Net cafe Looks like an internet cafe.
Bus stop You can go to Chiang Mai or Mae Hong Son from here.	Cake shop Looks yummy ! :D	Chairs ? Chairs using scales in front of a shop.	Thai sweets Thai sweets called ROTI.
Bus stop You can go to Chiang Mai or Mae Hong Son from here.	Cake shop Looks yummy ! :D	Chairs ? Chairs using scales in front of a shop.	Thai sweets Thai sweets called ROTI.

[Pai] Night Scenery

Night scenery of Pai town.
Around the Pai river and streets.

A lot of shops along the street and quite busy at night.
Street 1 A lot of shops along the street and quite busy at night.
Bungalow-like guest houses seen in the day time.	A lot of shops along the street and quite busy at night .
Pai river 1 Bungalow-like guest houses seen in the day time.	Street 1 A lot of shops along the street and quite busy at night also.

Other shops along the street.			Clothes shop along the street. I bought a T-shirt as a gift (for myself :D)			Shoppers.			Around the river at night from the hotel we stayed.
Street 3 Other shops along the street.			Street 4 Clothes shop along the street. I bought a T-shirt as a gift (for myself :D)			Street 5 Shoppers.			Hotel Around the river at night from the hotel we stayed.

[Pai] Wat Klang
Wat Klang is located close to the bus terminal in Pai town, built in 1792 by the Burmese Thai Yai (Shan people). It was a deserted monastery for many years, however, Wat Klang is one of the significant temples in Pai today as it houses very old and revered Buddha statues. The main attraction is the striking golden Thai Yai style chedi and smaller Mon style Chedis. Buddha images of the seven days of a week in niches below the smaller chedis.
Wat Klang The striking golden Thai Yai style chedi.		Guardian 1 Gods protecting the entrance. They are like Yuks seen in Grand Palace in Bangkok, but very different.	Guardian 2 Gods protecting the entrance. They are like Yuks seen in Grand Palace in Bangkok, but very different.
Wat Klang The striking golden Thai Yai style chedi.		Guardian 1 Gods protecting the entrance. They are like Yuks seen in Grand Palace in Bangkok, but very different.
The Chedi Surrounded by smaller chedis.	Buddha images of the seven days of a week Below the smaller chedis, Buddha images of the seven days of a week.	Bell Next to the Chedi, persons handling a bell.	Main hall Is this the main hall ? I didn't get in, thought.
The Chedi Surrounded by smaller chedis.	Buddha images of the seven days of a week Below the smaller chedis, Buddha images of the seven days of a week.	Bell Next to the Chedi, persons handling a bell.	Main hall Is this the main hall ? I didn't get in, thought.

[Pai] Coffee in Love
"Coffee in Love", the most famous coffee shop in Pai. It's located on the main highway into town, just 3km from Pai town. "Coffee in Love", the most famous coffee shop in Pai. "Coffee in Love" is a beautiful coffee house that have a great view of pai valley, well-known for the Thai movie "Pai in Love" or other TV shows. When you get tired from your trip, drop by this sweet coffee shop and take a rest for a while. *) The movie "Pai in Love" Check out by You Tube - "Pai in Love"
Great view of pai valley. (I didn't feel it's a valley, but they say it is.)		Cute white bench. It's for photos.
Great view of pai valley. (I didn't feel it's a valley, but they say it is.)		Cute white bench. It's for photos.
Sign 3km up to Pai.	Inside the cafe. May I take your order, please ? :D	Cozy atmosphere.	Cute heart-shaped decorations.
Sign 3km up to Pai.	Inside the cafe. May I take your order, please ? :D	Cozy atmosphere.	Cute heart-shaped decorations.

[Pai] World War II Memorial Bridge
During World War II, the Japanese army wanted to have a route from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son to attack Burma which was a colony of the United Kingdom at that time. To establish the route, the bridge was built over the Pai River (Ta-Pai river near Ta Pai village) in 1941 using elephants to drag trees from the jungle and forcing villagers to work. World War II Memorial Bridge In 1976, the steel Bridge called "Nawarat Steel Bridge" was built and it still remains as a remainder of the history. After the war, Japanese soldiers left and burnt down the bridge. However, the villagers was in trouble because the bridge was very important for their daily life, and rebuilt the wooden bridge over the Pai river. In 1973, there was a huge flood there and it destroyed the bridge. In 1976, the steel Bridge called "Nawarat Steel Bridge" was built and it still remains as a remainder of the history. (I didn't know that there was a bridge telling memories of the war like the The Bridge on the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi.)
The Memorial Bridge 1 Around the edge		The Memorial Bridge 2 Walking on the bridge. The way is going on and on.
The Memorial Bridge 1 Around the edge		The Memorial Bridge 2 Walking on the bridge. The way is going on and on.
The Memorial Bridge 3 Checking from an angle. Along this bridge, there is another bridge for cars.		The Memorial Bridge 4 Looking down from the bridge, calm scenery can be seen.
The Memorial Bridge 3 Checking from an angle. Along this bridge, there is another bridge for cars.		The Memorial Bridge 4 Looking down from the bridge, calm scenery can be seen.

[Pai] Wat Nam Hoo
Wat Nam Hoo is another ancient temple of this town. It houses a famous and sacred Buddha image called "Un Muaeng"(Aoon Mueng). Wat Nam Hoo is another ancient temple of this town. It houses a famous and sacred Buddha image called "Un Muaeng"(Aoon Mueng), the 3rd generation of Singha Buddha, 80cm wide and 111cm high, made of bronze, 500 years of age is situated. The Buddha image "Un Meuang" is believed that the image was cast by the king Naresuan the great (the King of the Ayutthaya kingdom; 1590 to 1605) for the purpose of royal benevolence for this elder sister "HRH SUPANKALAYA" who had to leave the country to stay in Myanmar as the hostage in the king's palace and later passed away there. Since the bun of the image could be opened and is always full of holy water, it has become a very respected image for Pai people. The ashes of the cremated dead and hair of Princess Supankalaya were kept in the pagoda behind the temple.
The principal image ? Buddha images housed in the main hall. Is this the statue called Un Muaeng (Aoon Mueng) ?		Backside A chedi behind the main hall keeping the ashes and hair of the princess.	Lion Lion statue protecting the temple.
		Backside A chedi behind the main hall keeping the ashes and hair of the princess.	Lion Lion statue protecting the temple.
		The front There is a pond in front of the temple showing a quiet and calm place.
The principal image ? Buddha images housed in the main hall. Is this the statue called Un Muaeng (Aoon Mueng) ?
The entrance Dogs are protecting ? while sleeping. :D	The site Spacious place.
The entrance Dogs are protecting ? while sleeping. :D	The site Spacious place.	The front There is a pond in front of the temple showing a quiet and calm place.

[Pai] Tham Nam Lod Cave
Nam Lod Cave, a very large stalactite cave, about 20 meter in width, 50 meters in height, some 200 meters in length. The cave is situated about 8km north of the small market town of Soppong between Pai and Mae Hong Son, about 45 minutes to 1 hour drive from Pai. In front of the Nam Lod Cave. A lot of bamboo rafts are working. A stream is running through the cave inside. There are several chambers such as Tham Tukkata and Tham Phi Man. Tham Phi Man is famous for the size like a hall and a prehistoric wood coffin. Like other caves, walking ways are not so prepared; There are bridges and stairs in the cave but still you have to walk around along natural and rocky ways. Watch your step if you want to try the cave.
Around the entrance.	You must have a guide with a lantern.	The whole view You'll enter from the top left and go down to the right bottom.
Around the entrance.	You must have a guide with a lantern.
Around the entrance of the cave Let's get in the cave ! You can see tourists on rafts.
		The whole view You'll enter from the top left and go down to the right bottom.
		Rafts Three visitors on each raft like this.	Now, get in.
Around the entrance of the cave Let's get in the cave ! You can see tourists on rafts.		Rafts Three visitors on each raft like this.	Now, get in.
Walk in the cave After getting in the cave on the raft, you'll walk on land. Only the light of the guide can show around. if you don't try to follow her, you'll lose sight of your own footsteps and can't go ahead anymore.	Walk in the cave After getting in the cave on the raft, you'll walk on land. Only the light of the guide can show around. if you don't try to follow her, you'll lose sight of your own footsteps and can't go ahead anymore.	Walk in the cave After getting in the cave on the raft, you'll walk on land. Only the light of the guide can show around. if you don't try to follow her, you'll lose sight of your own footsteps and can't go ahead anymore.	Raft again After walking around, you'll get on a raft again.
Walk in the cave After getting in the cave on the raft, you'll walk on land. Only the light of the guide can show around. if you don't try to follow her, you'll lose sight of your own footsteps and can't go ahead anymore.			Raft again After walking around, you'll get on a raft again.
The look of the stalactite cave	The look of the stalactite cave	Another side of the cave. You'll reach here on the raft.	There is a very wide space called Tham Phi Man.
The look of the stalactite cave		Another side of the cave. You'll reach here on the raft.	There is a very wide space called Tham Phi Man.
After going up the steep stairs, you can see a prehistoric wood coffin.		Prehistoric wood coffin	Prehistoric wood coffin
		Prehistoric wood coffin
		Now, come back. About one hour trip. Good job. :D
After going up the steep stairs, you can see a prehistoric wood coffin.
Now, going back.	Other tourists are over there.
Now, going back.	Other tourists are over there.	Now, come back. About one hour trip. Good job. :D

[Pai] Pai Canyon
This can not compare with the canyon in the United states, the Grand Canyon (I never been there though), but Pai has a canyon called "Pai Canyon" or "Kong Laen". Pai Canyon or "Kong Laen You'll see this unique shape of the land; narrow ways goes on like in the picture. About seven kilometers from the Pai town on the way to the World War II Memorial Bridge, you'll see this unique shape of the land; narrow ways goes on like in the picture. From an excuse of not enough time to check around and of getting tired from going up to the top, I didn't walk along the narrow way, just took some pictures. If you want to try and walk the way, watch your step, please. :)

You have to walk up like this place.	Now, you got to the top. Great job ! :D	Narrow way This is the Pai Canyon. The narrow way goes on.
You have to walk up like this place.	Now, you got to the top. Great job ! :D
The view from the top You'll see a wonderful scenery.
The view from the top You'll see a wonderful scenery.		Narrow way This is the Pai Canyon. The narrow way goes on.
Take care and give it a try That would be fine only if the way was narrow. What's more, this is a quite high place. If you fell, it would be so bad. Be careful if you want to try.		Take care and give it a try That would be fine only if the way was narrow. What's more, this is a quite high place. If you fell, it would be so bad. Be careful if you want to try.
Take care and give it a try That would be fine only if the way was narrow. What's more, this is a quite high place. If you fell, it would be so bad. Be careful if you want to try.

Home > Photos (Thailand) > Pai

Thailand - Pai (Mae Hong Son)

[Pai] The town

[Pai] Night Scenery

[Pai] Wat Klang

[Pai] Coffee in Love

[Pai] World War II Memorial Bridge

[Pai] Wat Nam Hoo

[Pai] Tham Nam Lod Cave

[Pai] Pai Canyon