As the restaurant’s name says, Pai Jaidee Thai-German Restaurant serves Thai food and German food, with a focus on sausages and steaks, as well as a wide range of Thai favourites, besides a variety of rice dishes, different types of noodles, soups, vegetable dishes and Asian desserts. Coffee and fruit shakes are also great there. At Pai Jaidee they are very proud of the menu they created and that they master with perfection, for the joy of happy customers. Pai Jaidee receives good feedback on the mixed German sausage plate, consisting of Bockwurst, Bratwurst & Thuringer sausages. This meal comes with the options of adding Sauerkraut Bread or french fries. Pai Jaidee is the only restaurant in Pai to offer traditional German pork Wiener Schnitzel. This meal comes with the options of adding sauerkraut, bread, light and tasty Leberkaese or french fries. Pai Jaidee meat comes from a reputable source, and the sausages from a German producer in Chiang Mai. Pai Jaidee is also popular for the affordable pricing and the comfortable dining environment, as well as the location: in the heart of Pai, at the start of the Walking Street. They are quite popular with Chinese customers, as Pai Jaidee food is appealing and reasonably priced, and also because several reviews of Pai Jaidee Thai-German Restaurant appear in Chinese travel guides and maps of Pai. Pai Jaidee Thai-German Restaurant has a long-term plan to grow all their vegetables fresh from their two organic gardens. At present their fruit orchid provides the restaurant with all the fruit they need for the special Pai Jaidee shakes, but they have just started out on another venture to set up and grow unique vegetables and fruits on their newly acquired plots of land: morning glory, lemon trees, lemongrass, papaya and fern. Pai Jaidee is also the proud producer of a film/documentary about Pai, which is available to download for free from their website www.paijaidee.com in 4 languages. The Pai Jaidee Thai German Restaurant is located on the corner of Walking Street and the Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son Highway. http://www.paijaidee.com

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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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It is during a drive on a moped amongst the internal streets of the village of Pai, northern Thailand, that in one of the side streets I come across Chew Xin Jai, a totally vegan restaurant. It is drizzling down in this summer afternoon, and hunger is striking me, so I park the scooter, I get out of the raincoat, I take off my shoes, as required in the welcome sign, and I enter the restaurant – which more than a restaurant seems a mix between a dwelling and a temple. I approach the buffet counter, where I am welcomed by a row of inviting steel trays that hold a series of warm dishes having an excellent look. Four girls sitting at the table next to the bar are singing a chant in Chinese language, in unison, reading the text in large notebooks opened on the desk of. One of them leaves the group to come and serve me, speaking in a broken Thai. She fills my dish with brown rice and I make my choice, pointing my finger to a pumpkin stew and to a green curry tofu and baby eggplants. I sit down, I order ginger tea from a list of teas and natural smoothies, and I start eating, looking around me from time to time. The ambient is nothing but relaxed. On the walls are several paintings that frame inscriptions in Chinese calligraphy; at the center of the place is a stone fountain that makes water circulates continuously, its sound is mixing with the chants of the four girls. A human sized statue in fine wood of the goddess Kuan Yin stands on a wood pedestal behind me. At its back, past a teak door in Chinese motifs, there is a room that houses a temple and an effigy of a Buddha that sports strong Chinese features. The girl brings me the tea and goes back to sit among her friends, contributing to the chant that continues unabated. I taste the food, spiced to perfection, and accompanied by the impressive sound of the water flowing from the fountain; in a picture hanging on the hight of the wall at the side, a group of colorful carps swim in a pond where large lotus flowers grow, and seem to be watching me. I love this kind of situation, and I linger longer for no apparent reason after finishing the meal, just o appreciate this little corner of serenity in hyper tourist town of Pai. THE RESTAURANT Chew Xin Jai is a spacious, clean and charming restaurant that is well worth a visit. Plus, it seems to be the only 100% vegan restaurant in town. Choice of food is either a quality buffet with lots of dishes complete with mock meat, as you would expect, or an extensive a-la-carte menu with plenty of choice. The buffet is great, I advise to come early for maximum freshness of food. The buffet ends at 5pm (or when the food runs out), after which you are left with the dishes in the menu. Complimentary water is available, as well as a table with a number of bowls containing various condiments, all worth a try, though some pretty spicy. Chew Xin Jai is pretty inexpensive and accepts cash only. This restaurant is located in the road that runs between the post office and 7/11 street and the large Pai Police station building. If you grab a free Pai map from the bus station or other establishment, it is labeled as ‘pure vegetarian food’. They have a yellow sign reading ‘vegetarian’ on the corner of both sides of the street, pointing the direction of the restaurant, plus you cannot miss the Chinese temple-styled facade. Chew Xin Jai 222 Moo 4, Wiang Tai, Pai 085 7173628 – 080 8604178 Open Monday to Sunday 8am to 7pm 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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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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Pai is undoubtedly one of the the most famous towns of northern Thailand amongst visitors to the country. Set in a picturesque valley a 3 hours steep and winding drive from Chiang Mai that counts a record of 762 curves, Pai is a predominantly chilled out tourism-oriented town with a river and fabulous picturesque countryside around it. One of the attractions around Pai is the impressive Pai Canyon, or Kong Lan as it is known in Thai, and it is located 8 km from Pai along the road to Chiang Mai. A visit to the canyon is worth your time as it is an outstanding natural attraction with lovely nature walks in its surroundings. GETTING THERE Located on highway 1095 not far from the World War II Memorial Bridge, Pai Canyon is in Ban Rong Yang village, south of Pai. It is easily reachable by rented moped bike or with a tuk tuk ride, and its entrance is just off the main road, with the turnoff indicated by a brown sign. Entrance is free; the canyon is best visited early in the morning if you want to have the place to yourself. Just park your bike at the parking lot and start hiking up a 300 mt paved stairway that culminates to an elevated and open lookout area on the verge of the canyon that will reveal some of the hiking options. MYSTIC BEAUTY The scenery up there is majestically beautiful and the views impressive; you would not expect such a nature behind the hills. The landscape is quite original, the scenic area offers an awesome 360° panorama best enjoyed at sunrise or sunset. Sit on one of the shaded benches or climb up the few steps to a wooden lookout platform, and marvel at the views from these vintage points, which include the ridges of giant strange rock walls nearby, the surrounding mountains and a population of teak trees, shrubbery and other flora. Even if you don’t fancy walking too far into the canyon ridges, the sights from the edge are just as rewarding. Pai Canyon geological and topographic features are quite stunning. This unique geographical area has been formed by continuous erosion over decades until reaching the current condition. The carved narrow ledges and slabs that have survived the erosive actions of the elements have steep 30 meters deep cliff drops and a series of narrow walkways cut on the ridges of giant rock walls that snake out into the densely forested valley. THE HIKE A walk through Pai Canyon will give you a little thrill and it is not for the faint-hearted. You can freely climb exciting rocks, and venture as far afield into the canyon as you dare, but at your own risk. There are narrow elevated paths with a 30 meter drop on either side so be careful where you tread, as they can be quite dangerous. There is nothing in the way of safety bars when the trails get narrow, and just one missed step and you fall down in a deep valley. You can spend at least a couple of hours hiking around the trails, negotiating steep twists and turns that sometimes necessitate the use of all four limbs. Amazing picture opportunities awaits you out there, but it is best to wear study shoes and not flip flops so you can access better locations. The best times to walk the Pai Canyon are early mornings or at the end of afternoons, when it is cooler for the climbs and you get a great light. At dusk is when you get a perfect combination of scenery and temperature, and you might also catch a beautiful sunset. At other times, the area can become swelteringly hot and humid. Remember to bring plenty of water with you.  

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