Travel advisory · ThailandSome governments advise against travel to parts of Thailand.The warnings cover only these areas: 50 km strip along the Cambodian border, Narathiwat, Pattani, Southern Songkhla (Chana, Na Thawi, Thepha and Saba Yoi districts), Thailand-Cambodia border region (entire length), Yala, 20 km strip along the Cambodian border.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- 50 km strip along the Cambodian border · avoid all travel · Canada, France, New Zealand
- Narathiwat · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, UK
- Pattani · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, UK
- Southern Songkhla (Chana, Na Thawi, Thepha and Saba Yoi districts) · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, UK
- Thailand-Cambodia border region (entire length) · avoid all travel · Spain, Ireland, Italy
- Yala · avoid all travel · Canada, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, UK
- 20 km strip along the Cambodian border · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, UK
Also named by one government: Border zones of Buriram province (Spain), Border zones of Sisaket province (Spain), Border zones of Surin province (Spain), Border zones of Ubon Ratchathani province (Spain), East of Highways 408 and 4113, including Sakom (Canada), Entire Myanmar border (except Mae Sot) (France), Hat Yai city (Canada), Areas near the Thai-Malaysia border (Ireland), Hat Yai to Padang Besar train line (UK), Myanmar border in Mae Hong Son and Tak provinces (Italy), Myanmar border in Tak and Chiang Mai provinces (Spain), Phatthalung province (France), Preah Vihear Temple zone (Sisaket) (Italy), Satun province (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise Normal Precautions | Jul 7, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No advice against the whole country; partial warnings for border and southern areas (regional advisories) | Oct 26, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | Normal Precautions (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Increased vigilance across the country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Pai
A valley town in northern Thailand where most days go to rice fields, a canyon walk and a soak in the hot springs.
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Pai is a small town in Mae Hong Son province in northern Thailand, sitting in a valley among hills. People come for the rice fields around town, the waterfalls and hot springs a short ride away, and the canyon walk at the edge of the valley. The town centre is small enough to cover on foot, and the night market runs every evening.
Plan two to four days: enough for a day trip to the waterfalls, a walk to the canyon and a few evenings at the night market. Season decides most of the trip. Haze in March and April often blocks the views, so skip those two months if the scenery is your reason to go. The road from Chiang Mai is winding, so decide how you will make the trip before you book.
Pai in five
- Take a morning minivan from Chiang MaiThe road climbs through hundreds of curves and takes about 3–4 hours. Take motion-sickness tablets, sit near the front and leave early so you reach Pai in daylight.Chiang Mai to Pai
- Skip Pai in March and AprilBurning season fills the valley with smoke and the viewpoints disappear. November to February has the clearest air and cool nights, while the rainy months turn the fields green.Pai in 3 days
- Rent a scooter only with a license and coverThai law requires a helmet and a valid license for the vehicle. Many insurers exclude unlicensed riders, and the roads around Pai are wet and steep after rain. If unsure, hire a driver or a bicycle.Travel insurance guides
- Walk Pai Canyon in dry weather and daylightThe ridge paths are narrow, with steep drops and no railings in places. Wear shoes with grip, avoid it after rain, and go early or late to avoid the sunset crowd.
- Sleep outside the Walking Street if you want quietThe center is lively and noisy until late. Bungalows by the river and in the rice fields are a short ride away, so choose by how much evening noise you accept.Where to stay in Pai
Things to do in Pai
See all attractions in Pai
Need to know
- Airport
- Chiang Mai (CNX), about 3–4 hr by road
- Getting there
- Minivan, bus or private driver from Chiang Mai, about 130 km
- Getting around
- Walking in town; rented scooters, bicycles and songthaews beyond
- Best base
- Pai town for evenings; riverside bungalows for quiet
- Time needed
- 2–3 days; 4–5 with the Mae Hong Son loop
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear3 rainy daysHigh27°Low12°Cool, clearJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 23 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clear
- FebruaryClear2 rainy daysHigh30°Low13°Dry, haze startsFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, haze starts
- MarchClear1 rainy dayHigh34°Low17°Burning hazeMarchClear
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Burning haze
- AprilClear7 rainy daysHigh35°Low21°Hot, hazyAprilClear
Poor
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 50 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, hazy
- MayRain21 rainy daysHigh32°Low21°Rains beginMayRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 209 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains begin
- JuneRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low20°Green fieldsJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 299 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green fields
- JulyRain30 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°Wet, lushJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 358 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, lush
- AugustRain30 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°WetAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 440 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet
- SeptemberRain27 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low20°Wet, muddy roadsSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 329 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Wet, muddy roads
- OctoberRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low19°Rains easeOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 165 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Rains ease
- NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh28°Low17°Cool, clearNovemberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, clear
- DecemberClear4 rainy daysHigh27°Low14°Cool, busyDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 16 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, busy
Average daily high and low in Pai, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Pai
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
21
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 98%
- Wind
- 1 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 67%
Pai
04:56 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°20°67%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Wed30°21°53%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Thu30°21°78%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Fri30°21°96%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Sat28°20°98%Saturday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Sun29°19°54%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 54%.
- Mon28°18°76%Monday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 76%.
Updated 04:06 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 33.76 THB
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Pai Canyonabout 15 min by scooter or taxiA sunset walk along narrow ridges; keep to daylight and dry weather.
- Tham Lod Caveabout 1–1.5 hours by road to SoppongA large cave with a stream, visited with a local guide and lamp.
- Chiang Maiabout 3–4 hours by minivanThe usual way in and out; many travelers return here after Pai.Read the guide
Before you go to Pai
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Pai, checked
- Check visa-free entry and the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) on the Thai Immigration Bureau site before you fly.Source
- Cover shoulders and knees inside temples, and take off your shoes before you enter a temple hall.
- Dial 191 for police, 1669 for an ambulance and 199 for fire. Tourist Police can be reached on 1155.
- Check that your travel insurance covers scooter riding and that your licence allows motorcycles before you rent one.
- Insulting the monarchy is a crime in Thailand, and drug laws are strict; never carry a package for someone else.
Pai FAQ
Is Pai worth visiting?
Yes for a slow, outdoorsy few days: rice fields, waterfalls, hot springs and a night market in a valley far from Chiang Mai's traffic. It is less rewarding in the smoky months, or if you want temples and big-city food.
How do you get from Chiang Mai to Pai?
By minivan or bus in about 3–4 hours over a winding mountain road, or by rented scooter or car if you are experienced. Book a morning departure, and ask about motion-sickness stops before you pay.
How many days do you need in Pai?
Two full days cover the town, Pai Canyon and a waterfall. Three let you add the hot springs, a sunrise viewpoint and a slow day. Allow four to five days if you ride the Mae Hong Son loop.
When is the best time to visit Pai?
November to February: clear skies, cool mornings and little rain. March and April are smoky from burning, and June to October is green and wet with some road risk after storms.
Is it safe to rent a scooter in Pai?
It is the most common way to get around, and the way many visitors are hurt. Wear a helmet, ride only if you hold a valid license, stay off the roads in rain and after dark, and check what your insurance excludes.