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[jackr]

phuketrichard, on 2009-11-22 10:04:42, said:

went thur Pai with the intention on staying one night, after an hour drive around town left>>> its no where near the border and there is nothing to do but see backbackers buying overpriced goods and talking about where they have been.  
Head to Soppang or better Mae Hong Son.

You ain't gonna see much by driving around... the whole appeal of Pai (or use to be) was ambling about on foot, checking out the cafes, the odd bar and walking around the country. Wtf's in Soppong bar the caves, btw? That's just a drive-thru place, while MHS has to be one of the most characterless towns there is.

[Candyflip]

What??!!!

I cant believe it has gone that bad.
Well.. yeah it s more commercial now than before but the town is still lovely, fresh air and relaxing i think. Last time i was there it was a year ago.

I am going there myself tomorrow. will report back if it is not worth 3 hours ride.
eyes, if you still going and wanna get a drink, pm me.

[Ulysses G.]

eyes, on 2009-11-21 16:16:59, said:

One more question, will a lonely western man be able to mind a friendly thai lady to keep him company for the night at any of the night spots around town?????
Thanks

No you won't, it's largely a Muslim town.

[jackr]

Best bet on that front is to chat up the bird on the desk in your digs, or head for Be Bop bar and take on a whitey... if you fancy the challenge and don't look like John Merrick, that is

[anonymouse]

jackr, on 2009-11-23 08:59:18, said:

Best bet on that front is to chat up the bird on the desk in your digs, or head for Be Bop bar and take on a whitey... if you fancy the challenge and don't look like John Merrick, that is

or bring one with him

[flying]

We have a pal who owns a few guest houses there so we visit her from time to time.
Personally I think the mountain drive is about the best part.
The Chinese village example is cool on the way in. To see once.........

Other than that not much there.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Ulysses G., on 2009-11-22 22:57:40, said:

eyes, on 2009-11-21 16:16:59, said:

One more question, will a lonely western man be able to mind a friendly thai lady to keep him company for the night at any of the night spots around town?????
Thanks

No you won't, it's largely a Muslim town.

Meh, there are 'some' Chinese Muslims living there, just like there are 'some' people from just about anywhere: various hilltribes, Muang people obviously, a good Shan contingent.. You know, the typical mix you get in Mae Hong Son.   Pattaya has a fairly large Muslim population too, but that doesn't seem to interfere with things.

Still, it's probably better to bring a friend from Chiang Mai, or Pattaya even.  One point of attention could be that this makes you fit in less well with the general crowd there, so if you do bring a friend then my strong recommendation would be to make it someone who's mature, outgoing, strong language skills and generally a kind of alternative-rebellish kind of type.  Girls with dreadlocks and piercings are good.   You shouldn't bring a run of the mill young shy chick, or someone who is too typically 'Thai' in that she'd want a 5 star hotel experience, unhappy that your tree hut came with a river view and hammock but no TV to watch Channel 7, or sulk that she didn't get to see the $*&(#$^# pandas in Chiang Mai. You need someone who's in tune with a rustic environment and alternative vibe.

Then, if you do find one who's cool with all of the above, still somewhat sane AND didn't run off with a blond backpacker guy while there : marry her! They're hard to find.

WTK

Edited by WinnieTheKhwai, 2009-11-23 10:18:08.

[Candyflip]

just remember another one great thing in Pai, in Chinese village to b e precise... a yummy Yunnun roast pork! ( in Thai we call Kha moo yooon nan).

Delicious!

[crazygay]

Just returned from a couple of weeks in Pai.  It was the best time I've ever had in Thailand.  Laid back, friendly, great food.  Total opposite to Pattaya (not a sexually-oriented town).

There are lots of eccentric farangs in Pai.  One guy (I think his name is Fritz - either an Aussie or a Kiwi guy) runs a guesthouse called Anon's House in the center of the town.  Every couple of nights he puts his katoey girl/boyfriend on a sidecar of his motorcycle and parades her around the town.  It is a sight to see.  She's done up like a Thai princess complete with tiara and the sidecar is similar to the royal barges (boats).  The Thai and farang tourists went crazy - chasing the parade like thie pied piper to get good photos of her.

If you are going in the next month or so you should bring some warm clothing as it can get cold in the nights I am told.

The live music scene in Pai is fantastic too.

If you want a lady "friend" it would be best to bring one from Chiang Mai or Bangkok (or whatever other part of Thailand you visit) as there are no obvious girl bars.

Unless you are a five-star type of person, I am sure you'll love Pai.

[crazygay]

Pai is pronounced as "Bye".  I found it much less expensive than other major cities.

[Sparkles]

crazygay, on 2009-11-23 12:24:06, said:

Pai is pronounced as "Bye".  I found it much less expensive than other major cities.

Pai is growing but don't think it has quite reached "City Status" as yet !

[sabaijai]

Yunnanese Muslims are in the minority in Pai. The majority ethnic group is Shan, followed by Northern Thai (Khon Muang), Lisu, Karen, and Yunnanese.

Just noticed yet another Thai romantic comedy about Pai was recently released, Pai In Love. I think this is the fourth.

[Sparkles]

sabaijai, on 2009-11-23 18:42:03, said:

Yunnanese Muslims are in the minority in Pai. The majority ethnic group is Shan, followed by Northern Thai (Khon Muang), Lisu, Karen, and Yunnanese.

Just noticed yet another Thai romantic comedy about Pai was recently released, Pai In Love. I think this is the fourth.

Your origin break up is true and there appears to be no tensions within the community according to someone who has lived there a long time.Nice to see.