Welcome to the Pai hole: North Thailand’s Adventure, Culture & Nightlife Hotspot

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Jan 13
6 min read

Welcome to Pai, and get ready—this small, scenic northern Thai town has become THE place for backpackers in the know. Nestled 146 km northwest of Chiang Mai in Mae Hong Son Province, Pai offers laid-back charm, mountain-valley views, a relaxed vibe, and a packed lineup of nature, culture, and parties—all within walking distance from your hostel.

Not sure what to do in Pai? If you’re chasing local culture, social energy and unforgettable experiences, Revolution Hostel Pai has your back. Here’s your go-to guide complete with activity and accomodation recommendations for the ultimate Pai experience: float, explore, drink, dance, and repeat.

How to get to pai

Van

AYA and Prempacha both offer van rides every hour for just 150THB-- it's the most straightforward way to Pai and you get dropped off conveniently on Walking Street. You can book tickets on either website as well as at the Chiang Mai bus station or on 12GoAsia. Be warned: they sell out days in advance during high season (Nov-Feb). Bring anti-nausea pills if you're prone to motion sickness, the road is not for the faint of heart.

Motorbike

Feeling adventurous? The drive to Pai is stunning and best experienced by motorbike. Enjoy cool mountain air, epic scenery and a plethora of local cafés throughout the 762-curve drive. It's definitely not for beginners-- especially during rainy season where roads are slick and conditions are unpredictable-- but you can rent a motorcycle for an affordable price from AYA and drop it off at their Pai shop. Wear a helmet!

private taxi

Want to ride to Pai comfortably? All travel shops in Chiang Mai will offer private taxi service with prices starting around 2000THB.

What to do - daytime edition

1. Jungle Tubing: Float, Foam & Party (November–July)

Over 400+ tubers on average every float!

First up, rise and meet at Revolution Hostel Pai Riverside bright and early for the most legendary adventure in North Thailand: Jungle Tubing. This isn’t your average float—it's Pai’s premier tipsy tubing experience with DJs, foam parties, and 3 poppin’ bar stops.

The pre-party and check-in begins at 11:30 am at Revolution Hostel Pai Riverside; here, you’ll get to meet your fellow tubers and grab a drink before heading to the river.

You’ll float down the beautiful river and experience some serene jungle scenery– but be warned, the tranquility is short lived. When you arrive at the first stop, you’ll be greeted by bumping music from the DJ, free shots, foam cannons, and even free fried rice in case you started your day a little bit tooooo booze-heavy.

Back in the river you go! Enjoy a short float with a few hundred of your new best friends before pulling up to the Jungle Bar. Here, our second DJ (and more free shots, duh) will welcome you to this activity filled paradise. Jungle Bar’s got games galore– think volleyball, rover boxing, tug of war, sack races, neon paint plus a poppin’ dance floor and bar.

By the time you head out to the third and final stop, it’s likely tipsy tubing will have turned into drunk a** tubing. Soak up the sun and scenery on the last stretch of river before you arrive at Tube Camp, a two-stage festival-style party complete with both underground and commercial music. Here, you’ll dance your heart out, kiss that lad/lady you’ve been talking to all day and party until sunset. Oh, we almost forgot to mention– there’s gourmet TACOS available for purchase! What could be better?!

For more information and ticket sales, click here.

2. Sunday funday: Pai Pool Crawl

Every Sunday, Revolution Hostel, K-Bunk Hostel and Mad Monkey Hostel team up to host an epic Sunday Sunday Pool Crawl: the only event of its kind in North Thailand! You'll hit 3 of Pai's hottest pools, complete with 2 DJ sets and one all day party. Expect a lunchtime BBQ, booze pong tournament, free booze, a stunning sunset, and MORE shenanigans! Get more info and tickets here.

3. Day Tours Galore

From natural beauty to cultural exploration, here are a few must-do excursions in the Pai region-- all are available every day.

Half or Full Day Tour

See Pai’s most beloved spots + hidden gems on a half or full day tour!

Stops vary by company but typically include:

Yun Lai Viewpoint, where misty valley vistas and rolling hills make you feel like you're on top of the world

Coffee in Pai, a scenic spot perfect for an afternoon caffeine break

White Buddha, where you can experience Thai Buddhist culture with an amazing view of the Pai Valley

Chinese Yunnan Village (Santichon Village), where you can see what life would’ve looked like when the region was part of China

Other tours and activities:

Bamboo bridge, the perfect place for a hot girl walk through rice-terraces

Lod Cave Tour

Explore the hidden side of North Thailand’s karst landscape. Dramatic limestone structures and underground waterways make up this one-of-a-kind landscape.

Ban Jabo Tour

Just an hour outside of Pai lies mesmerizing mountain views and the most scenic bowl of noodles you’ll likely ever eat.

Sunset Tour

Need a ride to catch a mountain sunset? Starting from just 100THB, you can join a taxi heading to one of many sunset spots such as the adventurous Pai Canyon, legendary Two Huts, or the family-vibes Sunset Panorama Bar.

Cooking class

Try your hand at whipping up classic Thai dishes such as pad thai, pad krapow, spring rolls and of course mango sticky rice! For an extra challenge, see how spicy (ped) you can handle your food.

You can inquire about and book all of these excursions plus private taxi service and more at a variety of shops around town, but we recommend the locally-owned Backtrax Tours. You can find their storefront across from the big 711 on Walking Street or book your adventure in advance via WhatsApp at +66 904670984.

Nightlife

When the sun sets over the mountains, the lights in town come on and the festivities truly begin. Here are some of Pai’s most exciting evening events:

Pai Pub Crawl

Every Monday, the Pai Pub Crawl starts with a pregame at Revolution Hostel Pai Riverside before hopping around to Pai’s best bars! Think live music, karaoke, DJ sets and a sh*t ton of free shots.

Get your ticket (and free drink bucket) HERE.

Raves

It’s impossible to talk about Pai nightlife without mentioning its flourishing rave scene. You can find events of all sizes and music genres nearly every night, but here are our recurring faves:

Wednesday: Secret Sunrise Rave

Techno, deep house, strong drinks and an indoor-outdoor venue come together to make an unforgettable night. Tickets are available at businesses around town including at Revolution Hostel, home of the official pre-party.

Saturday: Jungle Party

Whether you want to groove out to psytrance or headbang to drum-and-bass, this outdoor, multi-genre party does it all! Tickets are available at businesses around town including at Revolution Hostel, home of the official pre-party.

Sunday: Dream Kave Rave

Disco house meets authentic Pai chaos at this one-of-a-kind event. Tickets are available at businesses around town including at Revolution Hostel, home of the official pre-party.

Pai Town Bar Hopping

There’s a variety of eclectic, locally owned bars in the center of town. From live music at Paizy Bar to karaoke at Poppy Bar to DJ sets at the vibrant Yellow Sun and after hours chaos at So Cool, there’s plenty of spots with delicious drinks and funky Pai vibes.

Where to stay

There’s a variety of accommodation for all types of travelers, from traditional bungalows in the jungle to high-end resorts.

If you’re a traveler aged 18-35 looking for more than just an a

ffordable bed, Revolution Hostel Pai Riverside is your best bet– it’s not just a place to stay, it’s your new home in Pai. With a cafe and sprawling common spaces perfect for chilling during the day (seriously, check out this pool), free family dinner and an always-poppin’ bar with nightly events, it’s perfect for solo travelers, groups, couples or anyone wanting a social hostel experience. You’re sure to come as a guest but leave as a friend!

There's got accommodation for all types of travelers, including fully stocked mixed + female-only dorms (each bed has a light, shelf, outlet and curtains) plus upscale private rooms and bungalows. You can book Jungle Tubing, day tours and transport all around North Thailand at their friendly 24 hour reception as well.

Wanting a more chill place to rest your head but still be in the center of Pai with access to social hostel events? Check out Revolution Pai in Town – the newly renovated, chill sister property to Revolution Pai Riverside. With a new pool table and full service coffee + booze bar, it's the perfect place to relax, get work done and socialize.

Book either one of the hostels here, and receive 10% off your entire booking!