10 Best Non-Touristy Things To Do In Pai, Thailand

1. Dance the night away at the Sunset Bar

Well known for its “Happy Shakes” or “Mushroom Shakes”, order it and be prepared to take a psychedelic mid-trip. The colorful and hip design of their place seems to enhance the effects of their powerful home-brewed concoction. Everybody seems to be laughing, dancing, and downright in a partying mood. You can order some of their tasty snacks and a couple of other drinks that will help you lower your inhibitions as you sit on the sofa and enjoy the sunset. So let loose and dance, and let your troubles melt away in the Sunset Bar at Pai.

Sunset Bar

Address: Mae Hi, Pai District, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand

Website: Sunset Bar

Opening hours: 11am - 12am (daily)

2. Get the best deals at the Night Market

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There are stalls in the Night Market in Pai that are open every night, selling authentic tribal items from the surrounding hill tribes like the Karen, Hmong, Lisu, and Lahu. You can buy other items like a shawl for as low as 140 baht (4.40 USD) or a good quality white cotton shirt for 250 baht (7.85 USD). Even if you’re not looking into buying anything, you’ll surely enjoy the colorful designs of the stalls in the night market. They even have live bands playing both popular western music and traditional tribal music; there is never a dull night at Pai.

Pai Night Market

Address: Rural Rd Mae Hong Son 4024, Wiang Tai, Amphoe Pai, Chang Wat Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand

Opening hours: 6pm - 10pm (daily)

3. Visit Santichon Village

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When remnants of the 93rd Division of the Kuomintang army fled Mao Zedong’s fury after the Chinese civil war of 1949, they sought asylum in Thailand and built a small village near Pai. The small village of Yunnanese Chinese for a few years relied heavily on income from the opium trade. Pressure from the US government caused a halt to the drug trade and the residents of this village decided to open their doors to the world and earn an honest income entertaining guests. Get your picture taken for only 100 baht (3.14 USD) or for 20 baht (0.63 USD) you can either enjoy a ride or a cup of Chinese tea.

Santichon Village

Address: Wiang Tai, Pai District, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand

Opening hours: 5am - 6pm (daily)

Price: 100 baht (3.14 USD) for a photo; 20 baht (0.63 USD) for a ride

4. Do some yoga and get in shape

Friendly staff and beautiful bungalows are not the only things that have people flocking to the Swadasee Pai Resort. They also offer yoga classes to help their guests get in shape. Yoga has many benefits including increased flexibility, improved respiration, energy, and vitality. The cool mountain air will add to these benefits and give you a refreshing outlook towards life and a healthy lifestyle. They offer classes for both adults and kids so the whole family can join in the fun and get more out of your vacation.

Swadasee Pai Resort

Address: 96/1 Moo 4, Pai District, MH, Thailand

Website: Swadasee Pai Resort

Opening hours: Always open

5. Enjoy a glass of Mojitos

Nothing sets up the party mood like a glass of Mojito. Pai has tons of bars that offer this go-to party drink, each bar with its own unique twist and flavor. It’s not uncommon to see people in the streets of Pai at night, talking and having fun with friends while holding a glass of this intoxicating drink. The streets of Pai are lined up with different street vendors selling delicious food to help you get into a celebratory mood. So go bar hopping and get a true taste of the nightlife in this amazing place.

Boom Bar

Address: 139/2 Pai, Pai District, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand

Opening hours: 6pm - 12am (daily)

6. Enjoy the view at Pai Coffee in Love

A beautiful view while sipping on a hot cup of coffee is a sure recipe for LOVE, this has never been truer than in Pai Coffee in Love. A place in Pai that serves amazing coffee with an equally awesome view. You can even take a stroll in their garden and engage in some light-hearted conversation with some of the guests. So order some coffee and make a few friends along the way. Now that’s an experience that you can’t put a price tag on.

Pai Coffee in Love

Address: 2, Moo 3, Chiang Mai-Pai Road, Tambon Thung Yao, Amphoe Pai, Mae Hong Son, 58130, Thailand

Opening hours: 7am - 6:30pm (daily)

7. Eat a healthy meal at Earth Tone

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This is one of a few places in Thailand that lets you munch down on some delicious Thai vegetarian and vegan meals. They serve breakfast, lunch, coffee, and probiotic drinks such as kombucha, kefir. They even have some yummy vegan ice cream, something your kids will surely enjoy. They use local and organic ingredients as much as possible and keep their food preparation as natural as possible.

Earth Tone

Address: 81, Rural Rd Mae Hong Son 4024, Mae Hi, ปาย, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand

Website: Earth Tone

Opening hours: Mon - Fri and Sun: 9:30am - 5pm (closed on Sat)

8. Spend time at Piranha Fishing Park

Now enjoy some quiet time trying to catch one these terrifying freshwater carnivorous fish. But here, you can safely catch them even if you’re a first timer. The friendly staff is more than willing to show you the ropes on how to bait and hook these razor tooth swimmers. So rest easy you’re the one doing the devouring, not the other way around. You can rent a bungalow and feast on the bounty of your catch. The prices range from 250 baht (7.85 USD) to 700 baht (21.98 USD) during the offseason and might rise to 350 baht (10.99 USD) to 900 baht (28.27 USD) during peak seasons.

Piranha Fishing Park

Address: Mae Na Toeng, Pai, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand

Website: Pai Piranha Fishing Park & Guesthouse

Opening hours: 9am - 8pm (daily)

Prices: From 250 baht (7.85 USD) to 700 baht (21.98 USD) during off season; 350 baht (10.99 USD) to 900 baht (28.27 USD) during peak season

9. Ride a scooter and go sightseeing

Scooters are the best way to get around and since Pai is very scenic, it’s not a bad idea to rent one to see the interesting spots this town has to offer. Expect to shell out 200 - 250 baht (6.28 - 7.85 USD) just to rent one, a helmet is usually included. But be prepared to chuck out some more cash just in case. For first-timers, you can get a crash course on how to ride like a pro for a 100 baht (3.14 USD) for a half hour lesson.

Explore Pai on a scooter

Address: Anywhere in Pai, Thailand

Price: 200 - 250 baht (6.28 - 7.85 USD)

10. Indulge in delicious highland strawberry smoothie

Visit a place that is pure strawberry heaven. Aside from the assortment of endless strawberry-based desserts, the refreshing mountain air alone is surely worth the trip. Visitors are not only treated to a bedazzling display of all things related to strawberries but this unique strawberry farm in the Pai highlands grows some of the best-tasting strawberries in the world. The strawberry cafe is extremely popular in the area, locals and visitors alike go crazy over their famous strawberry smoothie. A cup of this delicious dessert captures the fresh mountain air and transfers it to your mouth while letting you enjoy the sweet smell and taste of fresh strawberries.

Try “Love Strawberry” smoothie

Address: 80 Moo 10, Tambon Thung Yao, Pai District, 58130, Thailand

Website: Love Strawberry

Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)

Not your typical vacation spot

Pai is relatively new compared to other tourist spots in Thailand. One advantage is that it’s not overcrowded and prices are still fairly affordable. With that said, we encourage you to try out some or better yet all of the activities that we listed here. You can never go wrong with our list of the best non-touristy things to do in Pai, Thailand.