source: webs.calumet.purdue.edu/ nfo/library-2/None/

The Tai ethnic minority’s desserts or snacks are one of Pai’s local authentic delights. At the municipality’s fresh market, you can explore and try as many menus as you wish. If you like it enough, you might as well carry some snacks home for friends and family. Of course, the early birds win in this game, as this is a morning market. Eight in the morning is the best time to shop here, as that is its busiest time, during which the market is teeming with a huge variety of all things edible.

The Tai’s traditional snacks include ‘Alawa’, a kind of snack made from long grain rice simmered with coconut milk and sugar cane juice, baked until the top turns brown. Other snacks are ‘Pae-yee’ and ‘Pae-loh’, which are salted, roasted, soybeans, with and without shells. Another sweet choice is called ‘Nga-Boh’. This type of snack is made from sugar cane juice, simmered until it becomes sticky and topped with sesames. Surely, these are just appetisers. A lot more awaits your discovery.

What is your ideal coffee break? If relishing a nice cup of coffee with a good book and/or good company while drinking in marvellous views of mountain ranges in a laid-back environment is your answer, Pai is certainly your perfect destination! Apart from all kinds of adventures and activities this peaceful village offers, Pai is also the perfect place for you to hide away from the outside bustling world and quench your thirst with that perfect cup of coffee.

Pretty much on every road in Pai stands at least one cosy coffee shop that is open between late morning and late afternoon. The two most famous coffee shops in the town that tourists can’t afford to miss are All About Coffee and Coffee In Love. All About Coffee is located on Chaisongkram Road, famous for its yummy Banofi Pai, the highlight of its menu. Coffee In Love on the outskirts of the town on the main road from Chiang Mai leading into Pai offers a variety of mouth watering desserts and good aromatic coffee with a truly breath-taking view. So next time you hunger for a memorable coffee experience, get it for yourself in Pai.

Nestling nicely between the Thanonthongchai and Danlao mountain ranges, the temperature in the Pai valley is generally mild all year round. Come mid April, which is the hottest month of the year, day-time temperature can rocket up to nearly 40 degrees and yet the evening temperature is pleasant enough for anyone to have a good night’s sleep without the magic of air-conditioning. For those wishing to go against the trend and enjoy sharing body warmth, that is also possible even in the summer, in Pai. They just have to camp at the top of the Huy Nam Dang National Park, where the evening temperature can drop to 15 degrees even on the hottest day.

Although many have complained that Pai has become far too touristy and for that reason has lost its charm, the laid-back atmosphere and peaceful tranquility can still be enjoyed in the hot season, as many mistakenly believe that Pai can be best appreciated only in the cold season and therefore only come then. Well, the truth is if a peaceful and quiet get-away is what you expect out of a trip to Pai, anytime between March and April is ideal. Besides, such a small number of tourists during this time of the year also means that most of the hotels and resorts there have to knock their price down, leaving visitors like us with a big grin on the face and a thick pocket! So what are you waiting for? This summer’s perfect hide-away at a reasonable price awaits in Pai.

As the temperature rises, Thailand’s famous water festival- Songkran- approaches. This makes perfect timing for both the locals and tourists to enjoy a good splash. For this, many are aiming at joining major water festivals in big cities such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, but there is always an alternative for those looking for a quiet get-away without missing out on the fun.

Being a tranquil little town hidden amid nature, Pai offers a splash of life and a true spirit of Songkran just like anywhere else in Thailand, except that, here in Pai, you don’t have to fight for space to breathe among all the water-crazed strangers eager to throw water at you! This year Pai municipality is organizing the event and plans to block off the whole of Rangsiyanont road in the town centre on 14th and 15th April for a wonderful water spectacular. The River Pai is another perfect place to be for anyone who is keen to cool down during this water festival, as you will be joined not only by the locals and other tourists, but also elephants!

Don’t miss out on the true spirit of Songkran! Join the locals’ bathing rituals, pouring scented water onto a Buddha image, the community’s elders as well as the respected ones, for good luck and blessings. These authentic and traditional ceremonies are held on 13th April at designated sites around the town.

If you would like to make this year’s Songkran not only memorable but also meaningful, join Pai Earth Aid 2009 and contribute to saving this sweet little town, which many love and call ‘home’. (For further details see: http://thailand.tribe.net/event/PAI-EARTH-AID-2009-SONGKRAN-WATER-FESTIVAL/pai-mae-hong-son-thailand/bc5b096b-3f3c-4a09-bd21-245fb92a43ec) The event is held between 11th April and 13th April. See you in Pai.