7 Exciting (Vegan-Friendly) Things To Do In Pai, Thailand
Pai is a small town located in the Mae Hong Soon Province of northern Thailand. This cute and cozy town is known as “The Pie Hole,” as people seem to fall into the lifestyle and never want to leave. If you’re traveling or backpacking Thailand I highly suggesting making Pai a priority. Think: Incredible nature, stunning views, delicious plant-based food, hand-made foods, unique street vendors, and more!
If I had the ability to teleport back to my days spent in Pai, I would do the same activities all over again, but add a multi-day trip led by local guides. This guide will take you through some of most interesting, fun, and budget-friendly activities to do in Pai. Activities one through five in this guide can be combined to create an incredible day trip through Pai!
How To Get To Pai, Thailand
1. Bus From Chiang Mai To Pai, Thailand
First things first, let’s talk about how to get from Chiang Mai to Pai. The most common budget-friendly way that folks get there is by bus, costing about 7 USD back in 2019. The bus ride from Chiang Mai to Pai is about three hours long and a whopping 762 curves along the way. Some preparation may be required for the trip if you easily get car sick. Speeding up, down, left and right through the mountains is no joke. As they say, enjoy the ride (even if it’s in-between barf bag sessions). It’s part of the Pai experience!
2. Shuttle Or Book A Private Transfer From Chiang Mai To Pai, Thailand
If you’d prefer a smoother and more comfortable ride, opt for a private transfer. You can choose between shuttles or a private car transfer (this specific one linked is locally-owned). This shuttle will take you from Chiang Mai to Pai and accommodates up to 3 people; this one accommodates up to 5; and this one accommodates a large group of up to 10 people.
3. Take An Organized Trip From Chiang Mai To Pai, Thailand
If you’re just looking for a day trip from Chiang Mai to Pai and back, there are plenty of options that will allow you to get a taste of life in Pai. On this day trip you’ll explore Pai, visit the Chinese Yunan Cultural Village, stop on the Pai Historical Bridge, play in waterfalls, and more. If you’re looking for something more action-packed, get out on the open road with this 9 day motorcycle tour that stops in Pai or this 6 day Gold Triangle Loop that also takes riders through Pai.
Not sure where to stay while in Thailand? Check out Hostel World! I fell in love with so many hostels in Thailand and this is a great resource for finding budget-friendly lodging.
7 Incredible Things To Do in Pai, Thailand
1. Rent a Moped In Pai
When you’re ready to get out of the small downtown area, the best way to do that is by renting a moped. Mopeds can be found for just 100 bhat a day (3.26USD) and with 50 bhat you can fill up the tank. An ID of some sort is needed to rent a moped and you’ll most likely have to leave your passport with the rental company. Map out where you would like to go — or fly by the seat of your pants — and get out of town.
But be sure to get travel medical insurance first! When I first arrived in Pai I heard stories of tourist being injured on scooters. When I was out on the road, I saw some crashes, scraped knees, and bloody tourists in real time!
The area surrounding Pai isn’t too tricky to navigate and you’ll find maps posted in various locations that highlight the most popular tourist destinations. Make sure to wear a helmet, drive safe, and enjoy the ride. We did activities 1 through 5 on this list in one day with our rented mopeds. If you do a little bit of planning you can pack a lot of adventure into one day!
2. Visit the White Buddha In Pai, Thailand
One of the most popular attractions in Pai is the White Buddha. Although I usually like to roam off of the beaten path, (don’t worry, we’ll get there!) I quite enjoyed this stop. The Buddha towers over an abundance of stairs, leading you up to the top, where, on a cloudy day, the Buddbha’s massive face almost blends in with the sky. Don’t forget proper clothing that covers up your shoulders, knees, and belly.
The pavement is burning on hot days, so you’ll have to decide whether it’s worth it once you reach the top to continue further up, because bare feet are required to walk around the statue. The one thing that surprised me most about the White Buddha was actually the steep hill that must be traveled to get there, so be ready to do a little bit of hill climbing on your motor machine!
3. Eat at Earth Tone (Vegan-Friendly!)
The best part of Pai for me, speaking from my stomach, was the Earth Tone restaurant. Located directly across from the entrance of the White Buddha, this cute café and shop offers organic, natural and vegan-friendly products and food. It’s a one-stop shop for herbs, supplements, juices, ointments, and eco-minded products.
In addition to the storefront, this café serves deliciously fresh and plant-based foods. The menu is full of breakfast foods such as pancakes, chia seed puddings, and smoothie bowls as well as pasta, sandwiches, and desserts. Everything that we ordered at a table for 5 came out looking like a masterpiece and tasted even better. Dining at Earth Tone is a great way to support a small local business, nourish your body and protect the planet.
4. Chase Waterfalls In Pai, Thailand
When you’re ready to cool off, a beautiful waterfall is located a few twists and turns away from the café. The easiest way to get there is to ask the locals before leaving Earth Tone. Pay careful attention to instructions and consider continuing even when it seems like you may be lost. (This place is off of the beaten path!)
A waterfall is located nearby at the end of a dirt road that leads through campgrounds. The one mistake that I made was showing up too late; it takes approximately two hours to hike up to the waterfall from the campgrounds and it is usually safest to hike during the day. Even if you’ve run out of time and won’t make it all the way up, the hike is beautiful in itself and offers various places to take a quick dip into the water.
5. Cruise Through The Satichon Village (Also Known As China Town) In Pai, Thailand
Before the sun starts to set be sure to drive up and through the Satichon Village . This section of Pai is filled with locals being locals — undisturbed by tourists or big businesses — making it my favorite road to drive on. The main road leading through it goes up, up, up, right before offering a huge hill for folks to climb by bike, foot, or car to a viewpoint. There is a garden at the very top that tourists can pay to enter for the viewpoint specifically, but the café and yard space just below offers a warm and calming view of Pai and surrounding forests. Kickback in the hammock and let the evening colors roll in.
6. Savor the Street Food In Pai, Thailand
That’s not something you usually hear when traveling to a new country; we’re constantly told to stay away from the street food to protect our guts. But as it starts to get dark, you’ll notice more and more vendors coming out into the streets, and more hygienic precautions are taken here than in the big cities. Before you know it, the whole street turns into a night market filled with food, jewelry, lights, music, and chill travelers.
There are various food stands that have clearly marked “vegan” food items for 100 bhat or less. My favorite dishes were a falafel pocket and a vegetable Indian dish. The evening on the street downtown is not just a fitting place to fill your belly, but a perfect place to fill your heart as well.
7. Practice Muay Thai In Pai, Thailand
If you’re feeling energized and ready to go by Pai and all that it has to offer, try catching a Muay Thai class. They’re usually taught in the early morning or afternoon. Muay Thai is a combat sport of Thailand and you will effortlessly spot open gyms while exploring the town. Most gyms will offer classes to beginners that are a training session mixed with an intense work out. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your gloves and let’s get to work!
