CountryBoy

Wife and I would like to make a couple day trip to Pai in the next week or so. Anyone live there or has been there recently? Would like to know what the weather is like and any recommendations for guest house/hotel? Things that are a "must do", "must see".

Thanks for all responses.

I'm planning to go on Monday and have heard of flash-flood warnings. Any info? Any good accommodation recommendations - not based on price? Value for money is okay, grot is not.

A whole lot of info here www.allaboutpai.com

I've stayed here a few times, 4 km out of town, but so so blissfully quiet, www.puravidapai.com (antithesis of grot!)

I got into a queue to get 6 tickets to enter the hot springs outside of Pai. Now that's part of the Huay Nam Dung Nat'l Park. Spoke perfect English and pointed to the Thb 20 stack of tickets. 18 yr old kid in military uniform looks cautiously around, smiles and takes Thb 120. I thank him and proceed.

I believe some of the park staff are at odds with the double pricing too. Raising a hoo hah amongst foreigners, by foreigners might just get this common response. Walking ATM's can afford it. A long term and hopefully permanent ideal would be to raise awareness and even rejection of 2 tier pricing BY Thais (park loving ones at least) themselves. Thb 50 - 100 seems fair enough or dare I say it, Thb 1000 season ticket pass good for 12 months? with more concessions for senior citizens etc etc.

One of my greatest regrets in not having a camera handy when in Hoi An was outside a restaurant which had a sign 'Good food, great service, reasonable prices because we're not listed in Lonely Planet'

Some farang looking teens are doing the same in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Same MO, trinkets, card saying $4 or MORE will be gladly accepted. Nice way to finance a South East Asia holiday and pay for pricey running shoes, brand name clothes and genuine Oakley sunglassses that she was wearing.

Guys,

I flew Sin - Udon on 11 Jan, their second flight, chatty female Aussie pilot and all. Tiger Air and Cebu Pacific operate out of a no frills Budget Terminal in Singapore, so dealing with immigration on a transit flight seems silly. Have a look at

http://www.btsingapore.com/abt_bt.htm

No mention of any transit lounge though.

Hi. On their website Tiger say that they have a flight from Singapore to Udon. Can anyone tell me if that is via Bangkok and where does one go through immigration. I am on a multiple O visa. I am simply trying to avoid the hassle of changing airports and waiting for a Khon Kaen flight. Any help here would be appreciated, thanks.

Hi aussmen,

It is Sing to Udon direct, I will be flying it for the first time on 09-04 and I will write up how it works, I know if you fly Tiger from Perth you have to check in / out of migration in Singapore for some reason, maybe they plan to process immigration in Singapore. Anyway I will let you know.

Khunandy

Self interest dictates my approach to dress. When I was a working professional, my profession dictated what I wore and being a bit of a "clothes horse", it was easy for me to conform.

As my Thai says, "dressing up puts the Thais you deal with "up", especially governmental types" They usually respond in kind.

I agree wholeheartedly. I am a professional working here in Thailand and I dress accordingly. On the weekend at home I dress casually, if I am going into town for a drink or to eat I will wear jeans and tshirt or collared shirt depending on where we are going.

When I need to go to immigration/bank/government office I wear neat professional clothes. The other thing is to be clean - it may be a tshirt but if it is clean and smells nice it will get a lot better reception that a three piece suit that stinks of old sweat.

Everytime I go to a government office I see dirty, scruffy farung having battles with Thai staff. Farung with bad breath, unshaven, and wearing dirty clothes are making it so much harder for themself. That said I like them to do it that way because when I come up to the same clerk next she is usually so shocked by the difference she goes out of her way to help.

In Dec 06, I was at CM Immigration. Seated there waiting for my back office interview for Ret Visa extension. Guy walks up to the One-Stop info window- 1 week growth of beard, greasy uncombed hair, singlet/wife-beater top, etc. Asks the Pol. Colonel (in full dress uniform, immaculate ironed creases on shirtfront, etc.) "Where I get visa?" in a somewhat rude tone. The official flipped through the pages of his passport, gave the "gentleman" a good head-to-toe "once-over", handed the passport back and with a smile, politely said: "Malaysia" (!!!!?!!)

LOL...was probably asked by Malaysian immigration to apply in....Thailand

Hopefully, it is all right to post this topic here about the town of Pai in Mae Hong Son. If not, my apology.

I am planning a trip up there from BKK. It's been a long time since I went up to the North. I've heard so many things about this town recently, so I think I might give it a visit. I also want to make a trip to Mae Sai in Chiang Rai, after visiting Pai, or vice versa. However, I need help with the following questions:-

1) What is the best way to get to Pai from BKK (in term of convenience, affordability, and comfort)? Is there a direct air-con bus from BKK?

2) Do I have to go to the Town of Mae Hong Son first?

3) Should I go to Pai or Mae Sai first? Or does it matter (in term of transportation convenience)?

4) Is there a direct public transportation between the two towns? If so, is it a comfortable trip? Or should I better go through Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai?

5) How much is it that I can expect for a reasonable fare in any leg?

6) Do I need to call or book for the transportation and accommodation in advance? If so, do they have a phone number to call?

7) Could you recommend a nice place to stay in Pai with a reasonable rate?

If you have any recommendation or suggestion, please feel free to provide.

Many thanks.

oops. some questions answered here, www.allaboutpai.com

"Idiot is as idiot does" Surely man if you can't run like Forest, a quick brisk walk will do, that is if you dont bump into the next mother daughter one two. Thailand is a big place. Just lower the withdrawal limit on your farang atm by 90%

Hi there. My family and i just spent 3 amazing days at this resort, it has to be seen to be believed. after 9 years living here this would have to have been THE best place i have stayed while touring around.. Amazing resturant and bar also.. I was just a guest and am in no way affiliated with this resort professionally or financially.. Regards. http://www.nagahill.com/

Drats, the secret's out....

Anything makes sense if it suits you. Pai is a hippy magnet because there are lots of hippy approved bamboo huts to crash, sleep ot shag in for Thb150. The savings on accomodation alone will leave most with lots of dosh for cheap fags, booze and Thb 100 m/cycle rentals. For the loners there's a high chance of 'connecting' with other hippies at the pub, internet cafes or while floating down the Nam Pai. Then there are the senior hippies in their 40s, 50s and 60s who haven't quite found themselves yet.

MHS? Big city, too stressful for hippies.

The decision/choice to wear a m/cycle helemt is akin to deciding whether to wear a condom. Some people do and some dont. Let them suffer the consequences of selective policing or worse.

Deciding to wear a helmet is easy as my brains cost far more than any $500 designer helmet.

Hi PP,

There are at least a half dozen full service bicycle shop in CM that will meet your needs. If you intend to ride a lot establish a good relationship with a local shop or two, where the owner should also be a cycling enthusiast. I'd avoid the larger stores like Lotus. Their focus would be sales and not so much on any service/adjustments thereafter.

BTW most bicycles today run up to 24 to 27 speed for mountain bikes and up to 30 gear selections for road racing bikes. Sounds daunting but shops like Top Gear (Chiang Moi Rd) and Chaitawat (old city near Chiang Mai gate?) are two places to check out for brands like Challenger, Merida and Trek. Thb 10,000 - 15,000 will get you a good mid range mountain bike with 2.0 inch wide tyres. Switch to 1.25 - 1.5 inch tyres for road rides. Most good road bikes come with very narrrow 20 - 25 mm width tyres. Smooth and fast rolling but wont last long on beaten up Thai roads.

I chalk up about 12,000 km a year and the health benefits are priceless.

PETA did swing by Singapore late last year. 3 stunning blonds strutting down a a busy shopping street in nothing more than bikinis made from stringing pieces of lettuce, cabbage and other leafy veggies. Their message : give up eating meat and start being a vegetarian. OK I was game, I said, only if they led by example and started by eating what they were wearing. Then someone called the cops and the girls were last seen in bath towels geting into a taxi. I think PETA is a front for backpacking aspiring actors.

I guess they dont make the city walls like they used to centuries ago. Then again illegal logging, silted waterways and man made weather were not invented yet.

Hi maui john,

Talk about advance planning. In 5 to 7 years a lot of things can change in Pai or Chiang Rai. You may or may not have seen www.allaboutpai.com Loads of pics and current info on Pai and last year's disastrous floods.

Cheers

CountryBoy

One of the attractions of CNX is the range of accomodations from THB 200 to USD 1000 or more. You basically get whet you pay for and as the zeros increase, I'd expect facilities and service to rise accordingly. Tamarind Village and the Ratchamanka (same architect owners) are trying to revive Lanna culture and style through both boutique hotels. Nothing wrong with that but Tamarind V staff were 'aloof' when I walked in asking their rates/brochure. No security at all as I did a quick self tour all over their manicured lawns. The front office at the Ratchamanka were professional, polite and welcoming and answered all queries. The security guards even took care of our mountain bikes while we were showed some rooms. The sizing up of potential guests by what they're asking or wearing is a sure way to lose business. Havent stayed at the Chedi (yet) One thing's for sure, it was closed for some months for renovations due to last year's flooding. Dont want to splash out US 250 and get Ping river water in my pool! The ultimate place to stay at these days is the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi out in Sankamphaeng. At USD 800++ for a mid range Thai style villa, staff and management here work hard at making sure you'll be back again. 2 floors, 2 TVs, 2 jacuzzzis, a living room with a piano, dining room, in villa sauna, kitchen with microwave, coffee machine complete with coffee beans. Thank God, it was a Press trip.

Lots of Tumble Tots in Singapore. Kids love these airconditioned playgrounds where sweating is an option. My 3 yr old neice said it was a 'nice place to destress' after a busy day in pre school. And mummy gets her 2 hours of 'quiet time' to go shopping. Her exact words.