georgegeorgia Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 (edited) Don't know if I spelt it right but anyway who cares.... I havent been there since 2008 Im thinking of retirement there I remember driving from Chiang main a rented car Went thru Pai etc Is Pai still have a lot of Muslim residents ? And backpackers Anyway my question is about Mai Hong Son ,? I'm sick of that dry Isaan area I want to move to the North West Maybe a small house with a garden in Mai Hong Son or Pai I liked the cooler weather, but I think houses are expensive near that big lake ? Who is retiring in MHS or Pai? Anyone know about life and real estate there Edited January 11 by georgegeorgia 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBChiangRai Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 Have you tried Chiang Rai? I think we have the coolest weather here. 16C this morning at 7am. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
novacova Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 2 hours ago, georgegeorgia said: Is Pai still have a lot of Muslim residents ? And backpackers Pai is a bit of a touristy place that attracts a lot of pot headed backpackers. Whenever we go out that way we stop for fuel in pai and continue west. Mueang MHS district is nice and quiet 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozimoron Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 (edited) 3 minutes ago, novacova said: Pai is a bit of a touristy place that attracts a lot of pot headed backpackers. Whenever we go out that way we stop for fuel in pai and continue west. Mueang MHS district is nice and quiet translation: people who like to see the country. I started my travels in Thailand in koh samui in 1979 because of tales I had heard from backpackers on the London to Sydney overland route. If M MHS has transport going there they will also go there. Edited January 11 by ozimoron 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Real Name Hidden Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 I’ve visited a couple time and really enjoyed it. My biggest complaint was there were only two bars. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kinyara Posted January 11 Popular Post Share Posted January 11 2 hours ago, georgegeorgia said: Don't know if I spelt it right but anyway who cares.... I havent been there since 2008 Im thinking of retirement there I remember driving from Chiang main a rented car Went thru Pai etc Is Pai still have a lot of Muslim residents ? And backpackers Anyway my question is about Mai Hong Son ,? I'm sick of that dry Isaan area I want to move to the North West Maybe a small house with a garden in Mai Hong Son or Pai I liked the cooler weather, but I think houses are expensive near that big lake ? Who is retiring in MHS or Pai? Anyone know about life and real estate there When is this actually happening ? I can't work out whether you're the most meticulous planner or the most indecisive potential retiree. Feels like you've been posting endless Thailand arrival scenarios for several years now. Aren't there refugees fleeing the Myannmar strife into the Mae Hong Son area, sure I've read some news reports to that effect. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NorthernRyland Posted January 11 Popular Post Share Posted January 11 2 hours ago, georgegeorgia said: Anyway my question is about Mai Hong Son ,? I'm sick of that dry Isaan area I want to move to the North West Mae Hong is much hotter than Pai due to lower elevation. Very pretty area though and one my favorites in Thailand. Best idea is stay there for a few months in a rental to find out for yourself. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthernRyland Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 2 hours ago, JBChiangRai said: Have you tried Chiang Rai? I think we have the coolest weather here. 16C this morning at 7am. Pai is higher elevation and cooler for sure. Has lots of big mountains nearby so cool air flows in to the valley. It's a tourist trap though so I wouldn't live there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxx Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 Retiring 5 hours away from the nearest half decent hospital? Seems like folly to me. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgegeorgia Posted January 11 Author Share Posted January 11 3 hours ago, Foxx said: Retiring 5 hours away from the nearest half decent hospital? Seems like folly to me. Well I am hoping not to go to a hospital as a patient! Being close to a hospital is not really on my list as a requirement,I guess being close to a Doctor could be Must be medical services in MHS ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxx Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 31 minutes ago, georgegeorgia said: Must be medical services in MHS ? Basic services. Not something I'd personally want to rely on in case of a stroke or heart attack, or even a bone breaking accident. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Real Name Hidden Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 Some great views from the Wat overlooking the town. Everyone gathers around the man-made lake after sundown Check out the bamboo bridge just outside town 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMW Overlander Posted January 11 Share Posted January 11 Winter in Mae Hong Son: 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PB172111 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 21 hours ago, georgegeorgia said: Don't know if I spelt it right but anyway who cares.... I havent been there since 2008 Im thinking of retirement there I remember driving from Chiang main a rented car Went thru Pai etc Is Pai still have a lot of Muslim residents ? And backpackers Anyway my question is about Mai Hong Son ,? I'm sick of that dry Isaan area I want to move to the North West Maybe a small house with a garden in Mai Hong Son or Pai I liked the cooler weather, but I think houses are expensive near that big lake ? Who is retiring in MHS or Pai? Anyone know about life and real estate there You initial sentence speaks volumes of your charachter. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunLA Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 2 hours ago, BMW Overlander said: Winter in Mae Hong Son: I could have sworn there was an airport there ... Winter @ MHS ... NO Thanks 😷😷😷 smog was so bad in 2009, they closed the airport when we were there There it is, told you ... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mran66 Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 16 hours ago, Real Name Hidden said: ... the bamboo bridge just outside town The beautiful bamboo bridge as of October 2023, pictured from opposite direction..to be replaced by beautiful makeshift concrete bridge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Brit Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 On 1/11/2024 at 9:44 AM, georgegeorgia said: Don't know if I spelt it right but anyway who cares.... I havent been there since 2008 Im thinking of retirement there I remember driving from Chiang main a rented car Went thru Pai etc Is Pai still have a lot of Muslim residents ? And backpackers Anyway my question is about Mai Hong Son ,? I'm sick of that dry Isaan area I want to move to the North West Maybe a small house with a garden in Mai Hong Son or Pai I liked the cooler weather, but I think houses are expensive near that big lake ? Who is retiring in MHS or Pai? Anyone know about life and real estate there I'm 67 didn't like Pia one but. Be prepared for 200 dopey young backpackers walking down the street every day in just wet shorts having been on a mass river tubing and drinking trip! I could go on ... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Brit Posted January 12 Share Posted January 12 On 1/11/2024 at 9:44 AM, georgegeorgia said: Don't know if I spelt it right but anyway who cares.... I havent been there since 2008 Im thinking of retirement there I remember driving from Chiang main a rented car Went thru Pai etc Is Pai still have a lot of Muslim residents ? And backpackers Anyway my question is about Mai Hong Son ,? I'm sick of that dry Isaan area I want to move to the North West Maybe a small house with a garden in Mai Hong Son or Pai I liked the cooler weather, but I think houses are expensive near that big lake ? Who is retiring in MHS or Pai? Anyone know about life and real estate there Pia main street is same as Greek St in 1 minute ago, Martin Brit said: I'm 67 didn't like Pia one but. Be prepared for 200 dopey young backpackers walking down the street every day in just wet shorts having been on a mass river tubing and drinking trip! I could go on ... Pia main street is same as Greek St in Leeds. A long row of bars selling weird coloured drinks to kids who don't know what a beer is. You could be anywhere. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Real Name Hidden Posted January 13 Popular Post Share Posted January 13 Here are more photos from MHS, these taken July 2019 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msbkk Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 (edited) I was in Pai and Mae Hong Son last month. Pai was packed with foreign backpackers and I personally cannot understand why it is such a magnet for travellers. There is not really anything to do or to see there except cafe and bar hopping and visiting cannabis shops. I had the impression that there were more foreigners than locals. I was however pleasantly surprised about Mae Hong Son. Weather was excellent and I really loved the view of the town from the temple viewpoint. You can walk to most places as the town is rather small. I met an American retiree there who told me that he would not like to be anywhere else. His wife was from Mae Hong Son. I think this family connection is a very important point. If your own family is from Isaan or somewhere else it will be difficult as Mae Hong Son is very remote. As you know Thais like to be near the extended family members. And if you are single you would be lonely there. Edited January 13 by msbkk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthernRyland Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 6 minutes ago, msbkk said: I was in Pai and Mae Hong Son last month. Pai was packed with foreign backpackers and I personally cannot understand why it is such a magnet for travellers. There is not really anything to do or to see there except cafe and bar hopping and visiting cannabis shops. I had the impression that there were more foreigners than locals. I was in Pai visiting family a few days last week. It's a stunning valley and has an interesting perk of lots of fancy foreigner oriented restaurants and resorts. However like you said during high season the only Thai people you will see are the people who run the shops. It's just obnoxious to be there and be surrounded by the incessant tourism. Compare that with Mae Hong Son which has a good vibe to it and feels more natural. My only complain is that it's seriously remote and the weather isn't nearly as good as Pai despite what you'd think by looking at the map. If I could do it over and I would have lived that last 10 years in Mae Hong Son and ditched the dirty Chiang Mai city live. However after that I was in Koh Samui for the first time for 4 days and I literally saw not a single Thai tourist there my entire time. 100% European people with the exception of one Chinese and Indian couple I saw. Even the staff at restaurants were often Burmese and didn't speak Thai well enough to talk with our wives. You would never know you were in Thailand. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dayo202 Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 On 1/11/2024 at 12:19 PM, Real Name Hidden said: I’ve visited a couple time and really enjoyed it. My biggest complaint was there were only two bars. Only two ???😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacessit Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 Mae Hong Son has a quiet ambience to it, views from the temple are spectacular. Particularly when a plane comes in to land, and it is below you. I would not want to live there long term, restaurants are very limited. IIRC, the only Western food there is a KFC. I understand Mae Hong Son is the posting for any Thai official or courtier who has blotted their copybook in Bangkok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhunLA Posted January 13 Share Posted January 13 (edited) On 1/11/2024 at 12:19 PM, Real Name Hidden said: I’ve visited a couple time and really enjoyed it. My biggest complaint was there were only two bars. Not exactly known for it's nightlife, thankfully and why It's so nice. Sit around the lake and sip a few, at restaurants, or not, just lakeside. Who wants to sit in a bar/pub, when it's that beautiful out, non smog season, that is. Something I don't understand. Unless a meet up with someone, though prefer a restaurant. I can't remember last time was in a bar. Maybe 10 yrs ago, and that was a monthly meet up thing with friends, and more restaurant than bar. Edited January 13 by KhunLA 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinok Farang Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 Beautiful town.Thought about it myself.Keep it quiet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kinok Farang Posted January 15 Share Posted January 15 On 1/12/2024 at 7:41 AM, PB172111 said: You initial sentence speaks volumes of your charachter. Snob. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prubangboy Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 Very hard to find a rental in Pai, they’re all air bnb. I like tourists and restaurants and could happily live there. My wife calls it Nimman on Valium. MHS is lovely with a very strong hilltribe vibe. Met a couple of Russians living the straw hut life for$200 a month. 3 days tho, and it’s a one and done. Mae Sariang would offer more for a long stay. So call that one good for a week. Only Chiang Mai offers the amenities like gyms and a bit of social life in the north. I thought Chiang Rai was a lot less beautiful as a town, with a lot less of everything to pick from. If you’re out in the sticks in the north, it’s all similar. Your life is your GF and waiting for a piece of fruit to drop from a tree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roo860 Posted January 17 Share Posted January 17 (edited) Was there last Thursday, 3 of us were doing MHS loop, but went to Mae Sot first from CM, MHS is a nice little town, great big bike ride from Mai Sariang, that was the highlight, Pai was chocka with tourists. The video was at 7am, around 14c. 20240112_070904.mp4 Edited January 17 by roo860 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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