“An army marches on its stomach”. You, however, deserve more than just food to satisfy your hunger and Pai offers just that with pristine view of unspoiled nature in the arms of Thongchai and Dan Lao mountains.

Besides the mouthwatering and huge variety of food selections on offer, there are also places in Pai where you can have a great meal with a view. Café Del Doi is one of them. The place is known for its authentic hill tribe cuisine that comes in a package with a panoramic view of the Pai valley and with trendy music in the background.

For those who prefer healthy options, Pai Lanna and Pai Na, are the two places where you can enjoy a good green meal amid refreshing scenery. Both places’ striking menus revolve around tofu varieties. Each place’s cooking, however, has a different touch and taste to it.

What’s more is that small exotic accommodation is available at all these places, but if a meal with a view is all you want, you can opt to stay at other boutique hotels or shop around for some hip looking guesthouses in town. So, stop drooling over these ideas and come out to try these delicious dishes for yourself!

Picturesque scenery and the locals’ laid-back lifestyle are certainly what Pai prides itself in, but these are not all you can enjoy when visiting this peaceful valley. Pampering yourself with rejuvenating spa treatments is also a possibility.

Within the valley of Pai, there are a number of natural hot mineral springs but the most easily accessible one for tourists is Tha Pai hot spring within the Huai Nam Dang National Park. There are four main hot spring ponds in the area, which are set amid dense forest. The average temperature in these ponds is 80 degrees Celsius. The mineral water from these resources snakes down the slope of the mountain, transforming the whole site into an attractive hot mineral spring stream. The hot stream of mineral water then meets with cold streams from other sources, making the temperature perfect for bathing. These are the spots where visitors can have a picnic by the side of the waterfall, either before or after a healthy bath. Besides bathing, mineral shower boxes, a camping area and restaurants are available within the same compound too in case anyone fancies lingering longer by the warm stream. To enjoy this mineral spa, Thai nationals are required to pay 40 Baht entrance fee.

Those expecting private bathing facilities for a large group are advised to try the ‘spa pool’ at Tha Pai Spa Resort. The pool shares the same mineral resources as that of the original natural hot spring bathing area in the national park. The Quarter also offers splendid spa packages although a natural mineral spring spa is not available there. However both places welcome walk-in clients and you are not obliged to stay at any of these places in order to make use of the services offered. So, you can pick a place that best suits your budget, be it a small, cozy, hip or boutique. Just bear in mind that here is a 50 Baht fee for the use of Tha Pai Spa Resort’s ‘spa pool’. For The Quarter’s the luxurious spa courses the price varies.

The lush green scenery isn’t Pai’s only specialty. Arts and crafts are another of Pai’s highlights. Pai’s open-air street market comes to life at night when vendors and artisans bring out their craftwork both for display and sale.

Being a destination of great touristic attractions and home to many ethnic minorities, artists and artisans, Pai is heaven for discerning shoppers looking for something special to take home with them. Right at the heart of the town, on its main roads, Rungsiyanon and Chaisongkram, you can find anything from designers’ handbags to trendy, handmade satchels. Handicrafts made by the hill-tribes, paintings, postcards and clothes are also popular among tourists. There are fashionable boutique and small home décor shops dotting the roads too. Some sell traditional Karen and Lisu’s intricately woven clothes; some even make use of such material and transform them into trendy bags as well as other hip products.

Of the many shops and stalls on the two main roads in town, Mu Shop, Pai republic, Mit Thai, Mom & Me, Sabaidee Gallery and Local Focus are the outstanding ones on Chaisongkram road. Sabaidee Gallery, in particular, is most popular among funky teens, offering modern arts work, posters and interesting photos. Pai Na, a shop 300m away from the bridge crossing Pai River, towards Mae Yen community, too, is becoming famous for traditional handicrafts by the local hill-tribes in the area and Khun Kob, the shop owner.

Those who desire designer labels and like to keep up with the world’s latest fashion collections will enjoy the selection available at Lilu Hotel, a small but stylish place on Rungsiyanon road. So, make sure that you leave enough space in your suitcase before heading up to Pai!

The seemingly sleepy village of Pai has a lot to offer all year round. Pai radiates its true spiritual nature through the locals’ rite of merit making during the Buddhist Lent.

Unlike many other places in the northeastern part of Thailand, where extravagant candle festivals are held to celebrate the three-month-long Lent, the Tai ethnic minorities in Pai celebrate the event in a quiet and peaceful manner.

While Buddhist monks take a vow to stay at a particular place and teach young boys or men, who wish to later ordain, the Buddhist Doctrine and preach to interested public, the Tai, like other good Buddhists, engage themselves in merit making and refrain from all kinds of bad deeds, including taking alcoholic drinks. However, there is a slight difference in their ways of practice.

The Tai does not just offer food to monks, but also pay homage to Lord Buddha by presenting a bowl-like container made from fresh banana leaves and filled with food and desserts in front of a pagoda or along the temple’s walls, with lit candles and incense on the side. They call such offering ‘Kok Som Tor’ and treat it as an offering for Lord Buddha. The Tai bring this to Wat Luang temple every morning during Lent in remembrance of Lord Buddha and pray to him.

Tourists, of course, are welcome to observe and even participate in such a simple, yet unique spiritual practice of the locals. Either way you are guaranteed an insight into the locals’ way of life. So grab this opportunity and pack your bags to enjoy another cultural delight in Pai while all the hotels, be it the boutique, hip or small ones, still offer great discounts.

Spider in Pai

The cold weather and morning mist aren’t Pai’s only charm. This photogenic town of Pai inspires people all the time regardless of weather condition. Each season in Pai is unique in itself. Its scenery is perfect for pictures all year round. Whether you are camera-crazed tourists or those who are only interested in drinking in the views over a nice cup of coffee, you will love Pai even when it rains!

Although you may not be too keen on producing nice shots, you can enjoy the scenery, beautiful lighting and its effects on various objects at different locations. Apart from the bird-eye-view at dusk from Phra That Mae Yen temple on the hill top, the Yunnan Chinese village known as Baan Santichon, on the hillside overlooking Pai village, offers a superb site for a photo shoot. The place offers quite an interesting opportunity to play with light on mud and concrete buildings. Pictures taken at this site give out totally different impressions and feelings. For those enjoying the monotone, afternoon shots with the fading light work wonder.

Those who enjoy the greenery of the countryside, a view from Coffee In Love over a cup of coffee and delicious desserts can be quite rewarding. To get around to various places for good shots at different times of the day a bike or a motorcycle is recommended, as they give you more flexibility and time to pick out the best angle. If you are staying at quite a well-established hotel in town, you might find a bike or a motorbike renting service available at the boutique hotel of your choice. Otherwise, just stroll through town and shop around for the best condition vehicles at the most cost-effective price. This way you can get both a perfect hide away over this coming long weekend holiday and a pretty reminder of your happy time in Pai.