MUST SEE PLACES in PAI THAILAND: Is it STILL Worth the ROAD TRIP?

Your guide on how to travel Pai Thailand: featuring 10 must see places to visit on your road trip.
Pai is known as a backpackers paradise on the Mae Hong Son loop. Full of hidden gems and must see sights. It’s an essential place to visit on any Thailand adventure.
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EVERY PLACE FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO:
Pai Walking Street - 0:13
The centre of Pai Town has changed drastically over the years, this is what it is like in 2019.
Scooter Rental from VesPai - 0:53
The best way to get around Pai is by scooter, but do not risk renting one if it is your first time!
Coffee In Love, Pai - 1:38
One of many coffee shop viewpoints looking over the landscape.
The Land Split - 2:06
A geological feature caused by seismic activity, an earthquake in 2008. There is also amazing organic food you can taste.
Pam Bok Waterfall - 2:59
Seasonal waterfall in a narrow canyon featuring a swimming hole with low ledges for cliff jumping.
World War II Memorial Bridge - 3:22
Built by the Japanese Army as a route to the Burmese border.
Pai Hot Spring - 3:36
A rustic hot spring amongst the trees. A great place to relax!
Abandoned Bus - 4:53
Lod Cave - 5:13
A cave system with a length of 1,666 meters. The Nam Lang River flows through the cave which is filled with stalactites and stalagmites. The cave is home to large numbers of bats and swifts.
Pai Loess Resort - 5:49
Where we stayed in a quiet area of Pai Town.
Santichon Chinese Village - 6:19
Not you typical Chinatown... Santichon Village shows the traditional way of life for Yunnan immigrants in Thailand. There is even a mini Great Wall...
Yun Lai Viewpoint - 7:17
One of the bets views over the countryside.
White Buddha - 7:47
Wat Phra That Mae Yen is located in the hills at the end of over 300 steps. Great views for sunset.
Pai Canyon - 8:16
Serene, scenic canyon with narrow, ledgy hiking trails that offer sweeping valley views.
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This cinematic travel guide comes from One Shot Adventures, an independent production company that specializes in unique travel videography.

[@OneShotAdventures]

Thanks for watching the latest Thailand video! Have you ever been to Pai? What was your favourite spot?

[@kingchakazulu7762]

My favorite spot was Hua Chang Waterfall, not a single person there except me.

[@OneShotAdventures]

chaka zulu sounds amazing

[@sameebah]

I've been a part-time resident since 2003 (fell in love with a local teacher and ended up marrying her - once the family had accepted me). I've seen such changes since then that I'm not giving away my favourite spots because they'll end up ruined . . . Thank heaven I have been photo-documenting the changes from the start. Love the town, love the people - hate the tourists . . .

[@OneShotAdventures]

@@sameebah that's a fair point!

[@boqnbalev2848]

Hands down the best travel channel ever

[@OneShotAdventures]

Don’t think that’s true, but flattered you think so!

[@kamalujiwani7613]

I have work there for 3 months in pai its a amazing beautiful place you can find your inner peace in pai i would highly recommend this place

[@ZhenGongfu]

Thanks for video! Great

[@Galfadez]

Yeah I dunno I went in 2018 and it was my favourite place in Thailand. It's definitely a party town now, but not touristy in a way that anywhere down South was. Like I never got hassled on the street to buy something or see a show. Also, I had no problems riding scooters up there because the roads were relatively quiet. Waking up with no plans and riding to a waterfall with some new friends is the most fun I had on my whole trip. By the sounds of it it's not as authentic as it once was, but it really was a paradise when I was there. There's still great local food to be found and a relaxed environment compared to the islands etc. The nightlife was great and I met some wonderful people there

[@andrewdence8632]

Thanks for the nostalgic trip guys.

[@Somedayilllearn]

I've never been but I love how you cover some awesome places to see and their significance and important details. Awesome!

[@OneShotAdventures]

Glad you think so!

[@alinanaza]

Thanks for the video, really enjoyed the part where you visit the land split and eat the local food, sustainability is key and supporting local farmers is so important to local communities! The bamboo rafts in the caves look very cool as well, seems like such a unique experience to see all the rock formations. The view from the Pai Canyon looks incredible, Pai looks like a great place to visit!

[@OneShotAdventures]

FOMOthevlog so true about sustainability! It was a really cool spot to visit

[@LivingOverseasTV]

Thanks for another great vlog and for sharing the natural side of Pai.. I like the tracking titles. Let me know if you are going to make it down to Koh Phangan. I'm here until early July.

[@OneShotAdventures]

Thanks Jim, I will let you know if we make it there!

[@conorkershaw8356]

Nice vid man. Good quality. I am going to Pai soon and can't wait! You showed me a few things I hadn't found out yet, so thanks :D

[@OneShotAdventures]

Conor Kershaw thanks Conor, enjoy Pai!

[@MrGTO-ze7vb]

Well done video.. Lod Cave looks like fun and the hot springs..! YES

[@OneShotAdventures]

The hot springs were great!

[@andypanda6832]

awesome video guys!! heading there tomorrow!

[@OneShotAdventures]

Andy Panda enjoy!

[@CelsoGattaz]

Really great vlog, mate! We are going to Thailand soon and we'll definetely take some precious tips from your vlogs! Cheers

[@OneShotAdventures]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RadiantRealty]

Hot springs in Thailand? Great tip on the time of year to visit. Noooo....caught in a rains storm. Free shower. Wow, great accommodations and so inexpensive. Even including breakfast? The raft in the caves looked like so much fun. Beautiful views from the canyon!

[@OneShotAdventures]

Radiant Wanderings yeah free breakfasts are pretty common with budget accommodation in Thailand - which is great!

[@kingchakazulu7762]

One of the better videos on Pai, great job folks. Outside of the town is always the best place to be if you're not a backpacker...

[@OneShotAdventures]

Thanks!

[@gracebrown4020]

Thank you for this awesome video absolutely useful I'm going to Thailand next month

[@OneShotAdventures]

Glad it's useful!

[@jimmyboysmovies1972]

Really good vlogs showing what real Thailand has to offer. Always going away from tourist spots is better and gives you an idea what Thailand has to offer . Keep the vlogs coming 👌👌

[@OneShotAdventures]

Thanks mate!

[@jamesspignesi1]

Pai is the REAL Thailand ? You don,t get out much.

[@issiedurling5005]

Your second nephew loved it as he kicked throughout me watching the film!! Well done guys! Loved it! xx

[@OneShotAdventures]

Issie Durling 😍😍 can't wait to meet him!!

[@issiedurling5005]

@@OneShotAdventures He can't wait to meet you both too!!

[@olethanakon9547]

Like this video so much .

[@HangryByNature]

Beautiful filming as always! It's so lush and green in Pai! We wanted to take a trip out from Chiang Mai when we were there last year but didn't end up having enough time. It's def on the list for the next time we're in the north. Question - do you use a gimbal?

[@OneShotAdventures]

Thank you! You guys would love it there, so much to do with the kids too. I do have a gimbal, but I didn't use it at all in this video. I had a choice to buy either a gimbal or drone and I regret not getting the latter tbh...

[@kickkapu7621]

Welcome to Thailand,hope you Enjoy and come back again.

[@OneShotAdventures]

Khop Kuhn Krap 😊🙏

[@cropking7808]

Just found your channel really great vids dude 😁✌️👍🇬🇧

[@OneShotAdventures]

Thank you!

[@neom472]

Another great video

[@OneShotAdventures]

Thanks Connor!

[@martyb3586]

Love watching these kind of videos been to pai 5 times got a tattoe of a slice of pai but it looks like pizza lol great vibe accept it for what it is still great beauty here..Thailand will always be in my heart.thanksfor the video

[@AlexSimeon]

as of now, Thailand is the #1 in my travel bucket list. nice how you can explore the hidden gems of the place with the scooter. would want to explore using that mode of transportation too. never really heard of Pai but watching this made me interested in the place. sad to hear the Thai food being replaced with burgers. im a huge fan of thai cuisine and that just sucks. Pai looks beautiful and interesting. love the hot spring wow. the abandoned bus looks cool too. a bamboo raft sounds like a unique mode of transpo to tour the cave. great video, Ryan! excited to check out the rest of your Thailand videos!

[@OneShotAdventures]

Thanks Alex, I love Thailand so I hope you get there soon - you would love it!

[@lisawakker9223]

Your way of filming and your voice makes it very Nice to watch!😍

[@OneShotAdventures]

Thanks Lisa!

[@CuriousEntrepreneur]

It's such a shame when local food gets replaced by western fare. It beats the point of traveling. Thank you for sharing this video! Very helpful.

[@OneShotAdventures]

I agree, it makes me sad to see the amount of Italian restaurants everywhere in Asia!

[@bydeena]

. I am Thai . Love Pai and Koh Chang . Sanook mak Thanks for sharing . Khop khun krap.

[@OneShotAdventures]

Loma kakai thank you so much for watching, we love your country! Khoa Kuhn leap 🙏

[@crawlinjohn]

Hot springs, caves, waterfalls, and Buddhas. What could be better?

[@WhisperWanderlust]

Never been to Thailand but I would love to go. My favorite place from those you showed us is the Pam Bok Waterfall. However, all of them are beautiful

[@OneShotAdventures]

Whisper Wanderlust it's a great spot, it can get quite busy though 😊

[@antoniotottojr]

unless you've been there 2 or more decades ago, then yes you'll feel the difference. i was there 12 years ago. and it was already a hippie wannabe place. the area was already designed to cater hippie tourist. i remember when i first heard about it from another backpacker, i thought it was one of those "off the beaten track" since most just go to chiang mai.. but was surprised how tourist friendly it was. crepes, pancakes, bacon, burgers, bars with english menu, hippie hostels, hippie clothes, motorbike for rent, etc.

[@KitatheExplorer]

Ok so I visited some of these places while in Thailand. Didn’t know the area was called Pai and I wish we would’ve stay longer. Great video!

[@OneShotAdventures]

Nice! The main town around the sights is called Pai, so I guess the name gets used for the whole area. Did you drive the Mae Hong Son loop?

[@sameebah]

Ahhhh - have to challenge on the War memorial Bridge. This wasn't built by the Japanese - their original bridge was wooden and washed away in 1948. The replacement wooden bridge also washed away, ant the current one is of debated origin - it appears to be constructed from sections taken from at least 2 bridges dismantled in Chiang Mai in the 1950s.

[@GoTravelOnTheCheap]

We LOLed at Emma saying it was easier to drive without your "lanky ass" on the back! 😂 Have to say, we noticed you kept more of the candid bits in this episode...we likey!! How come you didn't dress up to boost your insta game? 😋 You'll dress up as Luigi in your Mario Kart episode, but won't dress up in Thailand? Pai Canyon seems really cool; reminded me of parts of canyons around here! Seemed like y'all were the only ones at the hot springs..? When the rain got you, it made us think of when we were in a major rain/hailstorm on my motorcycle in Wyoming...! 😵 You took the words out of my mouth when you said the bus made for good b-roll!

[@OneShotAdventures]

Glad you liked the the candidness of this one, it's something I definitely want to add more of in future! Yeah we definitely had the hot springs to ourselves for a while, which is always nice. Haha always looking out for good b-roll spots

[@GoTravelOnTheCheap]

Cool, we'll look forward to it! As always, great video 🙂

[@WillKupfer]

I have lived in Thailand for almost 3 years and I still didn't visit Pai. I really like your style of editing, keeps the video engaging.

[@OneShotAdventures]

Thank you!

[@lawanaamornrattana4203]

Hello. I love clip VDO . welcome to thailand thank you verymuch. Bye

[@OneShotAdventures]

Thank you!

[@karynjanetravels9573]

We were in Pai in 2016 and loved it (would be interesting to see how it compares three years later) - but yes, I do agree there is a bit too much Western food and the crowds can be crazy in the night market. We were there in early January when it was very cold but of course that is the peak tourism time so there were quiet a few busloads of tour groups passing through the town. You really do have to get out of town a bit to find some peace. Once you find it though - oh boy. 😍 We stayed across the river as well at Pairadise. We were supposed to go to the hot springs on that trip but didn't end up getting there - it would have been the middle of the dry season, so I'm very glad we didn't! lol. We caught the sunset at the canyon too - such a cool place.

[@OneShotAdventures]

Haha yeah they would still take your money to visit the dry springs!

[@EllaMcKendrick]

Pizza and burgers? That's so sad. I don't like it when a place gets super westernised. We travel for culture, not for England overseas. I love the bike guy! He seemed to really care. Had you driven scooters before then? I've never done it before but would love to try. Thank you for showing us the off-the-beaten track side of Thailand. I haven't been feeling Thailand because it just seems overly touristic but you've shown that there's so much more to the touristy areas and there is still culture to be seen :) I love the look of the fresh produce! The abandoned bus looks epic!

[@OneShotAdventures]

Emma has driven scooters before, so I left it all to her! Pai probably wouldn't be the worst place to try it. The problem is when people with no license have an accident - which obviously isn't covered on their insurance! I know what you mean though, Thailand definitely has a lot of touristy places - but I still love it, there's plenty of beautiful places there 😊

[@EllaMcKendrick]

@@OneShotAdventures I see and she did alright without your 'lanky ass' on the back 😂 I loved that part

[@OneShotAdventures]

I'm always filming on the back of the bike too, so that doesn't help keeping the bike stable 😂

[@marleybob9a]

hey! love how you just say it like it is, nice! also i was wonderig do you have any tips on where to stay in pai?

[@OneShotAdventures]

Thanks! In the video you can see where we stayed and the prices at around 5:30 or so

[@SicilianVillainaroundtheworld]

Thank you for the beautiful video. I'm at a very depressing time in my life and plan on going to northern Thailand to find myself again.

[@OneShotAdventures]

Hey Joshua, sorry to hear that you are going through a rough time. Whilst I don't think travel is the ultimate answer to life's problems, having that distance from home can definitely give you new perspective. Good luck to you, hope you get to Northern Thailand soon!

[@bengisubbings5612]

me to!

[@annemariestrehl]

I didn't do a road trip in Thailand. Really want to now. That Pam Bok waterfall looked so nice. I only saw tiny ones on Phuket...

[@OneShotAdventures]

Highly recommend it!

[@thewebedit]

Not sure if someone has commented this already but it's worth saying that it's illegal to ride a motorbike there without the proper license. I learned this the hard way - as my standard US driver's license was not enough to cover me on a motorbike (and most of the "scooters). I have since received my international drivers license that covers scooters up to a certain size, but you will need an actual motorcycle license in order to (legally) ride a lot of the motorbikes in Thailand. Most of rental places will of course not tell you this (some do) so if you get pulled over by the police (like I did), you will have to pay (or worse?). Many tourists still ride motorbikes around but if you do get in a wreck (or god forbid hurt someone else) it's unlikely that your insurance will cover you. This was less of an issue in Chiang Mai but there were TONS of checkpoints on the way to and in Pai. You have to keep your wits about you if you are going to ride illegally and make sure you have enough savings to cover you in case you end up in an accident, have to pay off the police, etc.

[@OneShotAdventures]

Yep you should always do your research prior to renting a motorcycle anywhere abroad

[@TheSackless]

Awesome video! What time of year did you go? I'm going in early May. Also I cant drive scooter, would getting around be difficult?

[@OneShotAdventures]

Thanks! We were there in September. You should be able find a driver or guide to take you around the sights - there are all quite spread out

[@czthjvv]

Drive a car

[@travelpockets]

Awww that's a bummer that they replaced the delicious Thai food with burgers on that street :( I would be so scared to ride a bike in Thailand!! But you guys are pretty adventurous, so I know you can handle it ;) What an amazing road trip you guys had in Pai. Love that the local food booths are donation based. I haven't heard of any of these places in Thailand, so definitely learned something new! :)

[@OneShotAdventures]

Travel Pockets haha thanks! Luckily the roads around Pai are pretty quiet - we would never try it in a big city, way too scary!

[@ChrisandBrenda]

ahh, it's sad to hear that this town has lost their originality, well done driving scooter! haha i see some beautiful "IG SPOT" the "land split" looks amazing! haha cold water fall to hot springs! that's the beauty of travel, learning new things! that dog's smile got me haha we want to do everything on this list when we visit Pai!! thanks for the guide!

[@OneShotAdventures]

It's a great road trip! Definitely recommend it 😊

[@GoYvon]

Pai! Too bad it got so touristy. It was a really nice and quiet town when I 'lived' there for about a month in 2007. Koh Chang is the island I went to a couple of years ago. It was quite nice! Curious to see what you will think.

[@OneShotAdventures]

GoYvon it is a shame about the town, but I do still love the countryside. I liked Koh Chang, there's a surprising amount to see there and it's much less busy than other Thai islands I've been to!

[@Mozzermarr10]

Nice video. Pai is a great spot to spend some time. One thing I'd add about Pai is that if you fly from Bkk, make sure it's into Chiang Mai and NOT Mae Hong Son. The road from Mae Hong Son to Pai is the worst 3 hours of travel I have ever experienced (twice, as well). Lol, don't do it!

[@OneShotAdventures]

Haha nice tip, although the road from Chiang Mai is also notorious for making travellers sick... So many bends in the road!

[@Mozzermarr10]

@@OneShotAdventures oh is it dodgy as well? I didn’t realize. I was hoping to take it next time I go to Pai. Lol, I need to think of a less stomach destroying route.

[@sameebah]

A word of warning if you are hiring a bike - if you don't have a valid bike licence in your home country AND an International Driving Permit, then any insurance you take out is invalid. Plus, if the police pull you over, a minimum of 5000B fine.

[@OneShotAdventures]

This is true! We made sure we had both, the IDP is very easy to get and doesn't cost much

[@edenv6746]

Love the video! Shouldn't I rent a scooter at all if don't have experience with it?

[@OneShotAdventures]

Thanks! As for the scooter, it's completely up to you. I would be very careful. Most of the roads around Pai are ok, but I've seen many people have accidents there too.

[@21Swayzee]

YES PAI is out! Nooooooooo! Pizza and burgers. Man it looks crazy in the centre. Glad the natural sites are still equally as beautiful. The coffee in love shop looked amazing. Awesome, glad you got in for a swim at Pam Bok... Yes the white Buddha. Oh man I wish I would have known about Pai Canyon when we were there...looked really cool...way to find that quiet chill spot. Glad you had a great time. Great work Ryan.

[@OneShotAdventures]

Brother Dunne hope this brought back a few memories of your time there! Such a beautiful area

[@XennialTraveller]

It sucks when weather doesn't let you do all the things you want to do. But such is life eh? Hmmm, nothing against your video (which is good, as always), but Pai doesn't quite look like my kind of place. Walking along that ridge to find sunset looks fun though.

[@OneShotAdventures]

Xennial Traveller the countryside is beautiful, but the town isn't quite what it used to be

[@Kevins93cobra]

So glad you gave some props to VesPai. That dude is awesome. I too got my scooter there, first time ever riding one, and I had no problems. I am a "car guy" so automotive things come easy. I didn't earn any thai tattoos as they call crash injuries. Was the white buddha still pretty beat up? I mean the actual statue is fine, but the railing and areas near it were pretty eat up and falling apart when I was there 2 years ago.

[@OneShotAdventures]

Kevin hey Kevin, thanks for watching! That guy is a legend, we really felt taken care of. Yeah the steps up to the White Buddha were still pretty beaten up when we were there. There was a had built, potentially abandoned building at the very bottom too

[@networkbike543]

WW2 bridge built by the Japanese Army. They reckon for each sleeper the whole length of the railway cost an POWs life.

[@saintluke2nd]

What month were you in Pai??

[@olafkliemt1145]

around Pai in the villages all is still Thailand.

[@garykamachi4724]

9

[@Svenywhere]

I even hate it in cities such as London that you only see the big franchisees instead of those little independent shops. Glad you tried to escape that in Pai. I am looking forward to rent a scooter there myself and drive around

[@OneShotAdventures]

It's not so much franchises in Pai, it's more the catering to a western pallet which seems to be what many tourists want...

[@Svenywhere]

@@OneShotAdventures Thailand as being a backpacking paradise brought them loads of tourism and improvements. But indeed it is sad to see that the ''backpackers'' who are coming aren't really travellers and apparently don't want to experience the local culture, including their food.

[@OneShotAdventures]

It's not true of everybody, there are vast numbers of very open minded travellers... But it definitely is a problem. The worst I have seen on my travels is in Bali, more western cafes than local places!

[@Svenywhere]

@@OneShotAdventures I know luckily there are loads of open minded travellers. But apparently for Pai in Thailand most the travellers that are coming there want to have stuff from there home country.

[@OneShotAdventures]

Definitely true of the walking street in town, but local places can be found further away (like the Land Split cafe in this vid for example)

[@user-pp3pv7zo4b]

Welcome to pai.

[@OneShotAdventures]

BENZ THANAWARATH thank you! We loved it there 🙏

[@user-pp3pv7zo4b]

yes, Im agree, thank you from Thailand.

[@OneShotAdventures]

BENZ THANAWARATH kap khun krup 🙏

[@user-pp3pv7zo4b]

Nice!! U speaks Thai.

[@OneShotAdventures]

BENZ THANAWARATH haha not very much - but I try 😂

[@loh1110]

Were you required to have a temporary Thai motorbike license to ride a scooter?

[@sameebah]

Legally - you should have a motorbike licence from your home country and an International Driver's Permit (1949). If you do have a crash without those, some companies will not pay out any insurance claim.

[@kingchakazulu7762]

All you need is an IDP, you do not need a motorcycle license from your home country unless you want to rent an actual motorcycle.

[@user-rd5ss9mp3k]

กล้องชัดมากภาพสวย

[@OneShotAdventures]

🙏

[@user-gu3id9if4o]

7

[@sameebah]

I've been really disappointed bu the number of locations around town which now charge for entry - I've been visiting since 2003 (my wife is a 40-year resident), but in 2019 suddenly I found barriers across roads with demands of 100 Baht to get to places I had been a regular of for over a decade . . . The changes to the town accelerated viciously around 2010 when the Bangkok rich decided to set up resorts and buy up local businesses. I don't think we will stay in town much longer, it simply is not the peaceful place we remember.

[@JadeNecromancer]

How much is the bike rental?

[@OneShotAdventures]

I believe it was 200 baht for the day. You might be able to find cheaper places, but you get the best customer service here

[@JadeNecromancer]

@@OneShotAdventures thanks man!

[@OneShotAdventures]

@@JadeNecromancer No problem!

[@suvijakruksangob1659]

😮😃💞💞💞💞🇹🇭💘

[@OneShotAdventures]

😊

[@jamesabroad8589]

You should have more subscribers. I don't understand.

[@OneShotAdventures]

We're slowly getting there :)

[@kingchakazulu7762]

Just fyi, its pronounced with more of a "B" sound than a "P"...

[@OneShotAdventures]

chaka zulu interesting...

[@yaboyMAP]

didn’t enjoy Pai when we were there - full of dreadlocks and weed smoke...

[@OneShotAdventures]

Definitely true of the main town, but we enjoyed the nature around it

[@Travelsity]

lol letting gf ride motorbike in thailand...what a man:D

[@OneShotAdventures]

👨

[@zj7166]

Absolute rubbish initial comment about Pai Street food. I didn't have a single burger or western food in Pai. The street food is delicious, on par with Bangkok but with a more northern traditional focus. Khao Soi, Strawberries, Grilled meats. All available in extremely large quantities in Pai. PAI IS THE BOMB.

[@OneShotAdventures]

I wasn't talking about your personal experience Zack, I was talking about the quantity of vendors catering for westerners pallets. Of course you can find some local food too (although totally disagree that the street food is on par with Bangkok).

[@aav7046]

Thumbs down strikes again