The town of Pai has evolved from a once haunt of backpacking hippes and intrepid travelers to a nice village with upscale accommodation, dining venues and music options, as well as a daily walking street where locals sell their food and crafts. While the surrounding mountains and jungles offer excellent chances to venture on a scenic trekking, mountain biking and trips to local hill tribes, there are a couple of attractions worth visiting, and one of these is the Pai memorial bridge. The bridge history The Tha Pai World War II Memorial Bridge, or Saphan Prawatsart Pai in Thai language, this antiquated-looking steel bridge is indeed a compulsory stop for tourists for a selfie or three, and is also an historical venue after all, though it is no longer the original one with a wooden structure that preceded the one you see now. It was in 1943, during World War II, that Japanese forces started several projects to construct efficient troop, provisions and equipment transport routes between Thailand and Myanmar (then called Burma) as part of their planned attacks on Imphal and Kohima in British Burma. The most infamous of these is the well-known Death Railway, but the route between Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son through Pai was also strategically important at the times. The road linking Chiang Mai and Pai was quite rudimentary and the Pai bridge at the village of Ta-Pai had been erected as part of road improvement projects by the Thai government with elephants used to bring the trees from the jungle, and the Japanese looked into its extension and improvement using Prisoners of War. These attempts were abandoned in early 1944 when it was clear that the Allies would had the upper-hand and the scheduled attack on Imphal resulted in a defeat. The Japanese army then burnt down Ta-Pai Bridge as they retreated using the uncompleted road. Following the end of the War, locals re-erected the bridge naming it World War II Memorial Bridge; the bridge was strengthened and improved and lasted a few subsequent decades until it was destroyed by the severe flooding hitting the Pai district. It was after this that the Pai authorities asked the Chiang Mai local government permission to use the decommissioned Nawarat Bridge, which was transported Pai in 1975 and erected a year later. The bridge today The commonly referred to as Pai memorial bridge that tourists visit today only carries pedestrians and runs alongside an adjacent concrete road bridge on Highway 1095 used by vehicles to cross the Pai river. Its steel structure is still strong, yet some of the rickety wooden floorboards are damaged and visitors need to pay attention not to catch their footing, though they get regularly repaired and patched up. The bridge is indeed similar in structure to the more famous bridge over the river Kwai in Kanchanaburi. On the bridge are a few vintage samlors (three-wheeled bikes) that provide posing positions for photo shooting and selfies, and you get a nice views of the rice fields nearby. A popular local dressed as Jack Sparrow works his daily routine posing for photographs for a fee. On both sides of the bridge, there are local markets selling food and tacky tourist stuff, and a couple of coffee shops and hotels. Down on the river banks, a local company offers rafting activity along the Pai river. Pai Memorial Bridge is located 9km south of Pai at kilometer marker 88 on highway 1095 on the Chiang Mai – Mae Hong Son road.

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Located in the outskirts of Pai, Mae Hong Son province, northern Thailand, about 5km outside of town, is a village called Baan Santichon – Yunnan Cultural Village, one of the most popular attractions in Pai. This is not your typical Chinatown you see around the world but one of three Chinese villages situated in northern Thailand populated by Yunnan tribespeople. HISTORY History tell us that this village, which today has a population of 2000 souls of mix Yunanese, Thai hill-tribes people and former Chinese soldiers, was settled by Yunnanese hill-tribes that crossed the border in mid-20th Century to escape the tough Chinese communist rules. Most villagers speak fluently both Thai and Chinese, and it is amazing today to experience this cultural melting pot living under one roof. CULTURE Baan Santichon – Yunnan Cultural Village is indeed a center where visitors have the chance to experience Chinese culture: the village showcases reproductions of traditional Chinese clay houses, and there are a few tiny shops made of mud and clay selling tea by the bag or by the pot, where they also often run tea-tasting sessions. It is also possible to experience Yunnanese way of life, as well as dressing in a traditional Yunnan dress (you can hire it from a local shop by the artificial pond at around 100thb) and have your pictures taken for you. ATTRACTIONS & LEISURE There are several attractions and things to do at Baan Santichon – Yunnan Cultural Village. Things are a bit touristy in a way, with a tacky recreation of the Great Wall of China, souvenir shops selling tea, key rings, and all sort of Chinese pottery and paraphernalia, but there is lot more on offer for visitors in terms of leisure activities. The manicured lawn large area alternate with flower beds and fills up with people at leisure during day time. You can sign up for pony or horse or donkey riding, take part on shooting games, and one of the highlights of the village is the big wooden ferris wheel: for a mere 20 thb per ride, a group of men use their body weight to spin the wheel for an amazing ride. FOOD But for me the real attraction in Baan Santichon – Yunnan Cultural Village has got to be the food! As you enter the village, the side of the road is dotted with a dozen of little stalls selling anything from roasted chestnut – roasted on the spot by mixing them with hot coal in huge woks by the street vendors – to oranges and tangerines, mangoes, all sort of fruits and veggies, dried beans, quality rice, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and more. And after having taken a few pictures and walking around the village for a while, I decided to go do what I enjoy most: eat! I chose one restaurant that sported the logo of Thaihigh quality vegetable and meat producers and distributors Betagro (check them out at http://www.betagro.com/ourbusiness_food_en.php) and ordered a few dishes from the Chinese-Yunnanese menu: delicious boiled and fried Chinese buns, Chinese herbs, stir fried fresh mushroom and pork hocks, all tasty and delicious and accompanied by, what else, steamed rice and a pot of Chinese tea. VIEWPOINT Continuing on from the village, the unmade road got incredibly steep and bumpy; at the top I was greeted by an earth path that took me right to a viewpoint, where I enjoyed an unprecedented sight of Pai valley. There are banners in Baan Santichon – Yunnan Cultural Village that advertise early morning transportation to reach the viewpoint early and watch the sunrise. MO PAENG WATERFALLS This area of mountains surrounding Pai is home to Mo Paeng Waterfall, located just 2km past the entrance of Baan Santichon. This multi-tiered waterfall is easier to access than most of other Pais’ waterfalls, and is surrounded by a green lush valley. Tourists and locals enjoy a dip in one of the natural pools which are surrounded by smooth rocks used as slides. STAY Baan Santichon – Yunnan Cultural Village homestay programs offer a real Yunnan cultural experience for reasonable prices. Most homestays are built with mud and straw and are surrounded by manicured landscapes. For more information, contact 053 699 851 GETTING THERE From the walking street area, take the hospital road and follow it until you reach the Bypass Road. Drive across it and continue uphill for another 4km. This is a mainly rural area, ideal for those nice holiday pictures: farmers, cows and goats grazing in fields, rice paddies, corn, black boars and vegetable gardens, all surrounded by lush mountains in the distance. Pass the Thai Cultural Center and 1km later you will see a large Chinese gate covering a bridge that marks the entrance of Baan Santichon – Yunnan Cultural Village.

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Pai Vintage Garden 121 Huaypoo Rd. Tambol Viangtai, Pai District,  Mae Hong Son, 58130  Tel : 086-9033298, 086 331- 9817 Email : paivintage@gmail.com Website: www.paivintage.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pai-Vintage-Garden-Resort/1403431249897224  WordPress: http://paivintage.wordpress.com  Pai Vintage Garden is a Thai Northern traditional style resort, located in a tranquil area quite conveniently close to Pai downtown and Pai local market. Pai Vintage Garden welcomes travelers from all walks of life to enjoy the tranquility of its surroundings. A stay in Pai Vintage Garden, in the Mae Hong Son province, is an adventure in nature where comfortability is also taken care of. The staff and management are friendly and provide a homey atmosphere, with free coffee and mountain tea facilities, a nice leafy garden well taken care of, complete of tables and chairs to relax. Rooms at Pai Vintage Garden are various types for all budgets and styles, and range from standard, natural huts built of wood and bamboo, to paradise room, with cable TV and air-conditioned. Some of the rooms have balconies and wide terraces. All rooms and the reception area offer free WiFi Internet connection. While the Thailand season runs in the European winter, when the weather is dry and the sun is out most of the day, Pai Vintage Garden is great to be enjoyed in the rainy season too as the nature awakes when the rain falls in Pai, the hikes in the nature are more pleasant, the waterfalls have more water and the sun that follows the rain usually makes us feel in a good mood. Plus, rainy season means cheaper room rates and less traffic on the road from Chiang Mai to Pai. Pai Vintage Garden offers: – Public parking lot – Free Coffee and Tea self service facilities – Free High-Speed Wi-Fi Free pick up services from bus station or Pai airport Laundry service Pai Vintage Garden is located about 1km from the night market, Pai central, the night walking street, the bus station and Pai Airport. Bookings can be made through their website at http://www.paivintage.com/en/reservation.php For trips and things to do in Pai, read: http://asianitinerary.com/pai-memorial-bridge/  http://asianitinerary.com/pai-is-a-small-town-of-mountains-and-rivers/ http://asianitinerary.com/geological-magic-at-pai-canyon/  http://asianitinerary.com/pai-jaidee-thai-german-restaurant/ http://asianitinerary.com/chew-xin-jai-vegan-restaurant-in-pai/

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PAI HOT SPRINGS AND SPA RESORT 84-84/1 Moo 2, Mae Hee, Pai, Mae Hong Son, 58130 Tel: +66 (0) 53 06 5748-9 – Mobile: +66 (0) 82 450 0174 info@paihotspringssparesort.com – www.PaiHotspringsSparesort.com Pai Hot Springs and Spa Resort is an oriental chalet-styled resort located on the riverbank of Pai, a tourist town in the Mae Hong Son province of Northern Thailand. There, behind the green hills of Mae Hong Sorn, noise and city chaos are absolutely in absence and the place enjoys fresh and pure air from surrounding mountain forests. This oriental relaxing resort lies in the cuddle of mountains and green forest and uniquely provides mineral hot-spring water in the pools, for those who need to unwind and get overwhelmed, and you can also enjoy soaking in mineral hot spring pools, known as “On-sen” in Japanese, for your utmost comfort. Pai Hot Springs and Spa Resort is by far the unparalleled hideaway for those in search of tranquility, as well as a private gateway amidst the serene nature in Northern Thailand. The resort features 68 rooms equipped with modern facilities such as mini bar, tea and coffee making facilities, Internet, satellite TV and a private balcony in the Chalet category. There are three different room characters available to serve your preference: standard, chalet mountain view, chalet river view. For your utmost convenience, Pai Hot Springs and Spa Resort provides you with a wide range of services and facilities as following; Mountain Breeze Restaurant Hotspring foot bath Shared Hotspring pools Coffee/tea in-room Wireless Internet access 24-hour resort security Laundry service Parking Tour & sightseeing arrangements Medical assistance Here you will have chance to explore the true charm of Pai with our recreational facilities and activities: Swimming pool  with Jacuzzi Hotspring bath Massage therapy Biking Trekking Elephant riding Bamboo rafting along Pai River THAILAND ON 2 WHEELS stayed at Pai Hot Springs and Spa Resort in May 2014, sponsored by Vera Thailandia – www.verathailandia.com Follow THAILAND ON 2 WHEELS on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thailand-on-2-wheels/272739139560253?fref=ts For trips and things to do in Pai, read: http://asianitinerary.com/pai-memorial-bridge/  http://asianitinerary.com/pai-is-a-small-town-of-mountains-and-rivers/ http://asianitinerary.com/geological-magic-at-pai-canyon/  http://asianitinerary.com/pai-jaidee-thai-german-restaurant/ http://asianitinerary.com/chew-xin-jai-vegan-restaurant-in-pai/

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