TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs
Traveling

Overnight in Pai with Mike Jan 1, 2019

Overnight in Pai with Mike

Location: Pai, Mae Hong Son, Thailand

Hippie Town
New Year's day, Mike and I left Wat Pa Tam Wua Forest Monastery to head back to Chiang Mai. En route on a winding mountain road, we stopped-by Pai for an overnight. Pai hasn't lost its quaint hippie charm since the last time I was there.

Paitopia
We checked-in at this clean and quaint hostel with its reception stilted on a pond - Paitopia. It was a charming idea. The reception guy, Joe, was equally animated. He seems better suited to be acting on stage. Location was a bit of a walk to the main drag but Mike rented out a scooter (even though he had his SUV with him). We even hung-out with denizens of the hostel in the evening - DJs in their mid-life coming in from Chiang Mai. My thought bubble? How could anyone DJ for a good 3 decades? Sex drugs and rock-and-roll every night for 30 years? Only Keith Richards would give it a nod. It's beyond me.

People Watching
Pai was a little crowded given the holidays. Mike and I would just chill on a roadside cafe/resto, enjoy our drinks and watch people pass by. Many counter-culture types with dread locks, barefoot and all the body accessories were parading down the crowded streets. We met many people from the monastery as Pai was a logical destination for a decompression from all that meditative bliss from the wat.

Overnight in Pai with Mike
breakfast at a colorful cafe with Mike

Stories by Mike
Mike is a good story-teller and he has a lot of funny stories to tell from the many mis-adventures he had in his colorful past. It's all behind him now. Let's just say he's done them all and came out ahead of the game - with stories to tell. I had ringside seat as I listened to his tales in the SUV and in the cafes. A lot of the stories are from a world hidden from most people - priceless!

Ending Thoughts
It was just an overnight. Soon after having breakfast, Mike and I were on the road again heading back to Chiang Mai.

--- TheLoneRider
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footbridge by night
inviting cafe
with Joe of Paitopia
people-watching/breakfast with Mike
coffee stop at 32 Coffee Hill
Mike blogs:
  1. 2022: A Year in Review Dec 31, 2022
  2. Chiang Mai Peoplescape Oct 10, 2022
  3. Chiang Mai Peoplescape Jul 31, 2022
  4. April Chronicles 2022 Apr 30, 2022
  5. February Chronicles 2022 Feb 28, 2022
  6. 2021: A Year In Review Dec 31, 2021
  7. Chiang Mai Peoplescape Aug 31, 2021
  8. Continuing Friendships in Chiang Mai Jun 30, 2021
  9. On the Brink of Hunger, the ENABLERS Come to Light Jun 21, 2021
  10. Morphing Peoplescape of Chiang Mai May 31, 2021
  11. Coffeemates, Breadmates and Yogamates in Chiang Mai Jan-Mar 2021
  12. 2020: A Year In Review Dec 31, 2020
  13. Shifting Peoplescape Of Chiang Mai July 2020
  14. 2019: A Year in Review Dec 31, 2019
  15. Peoplescape of Chiang Mai Jan 24-Mar24, 2019
  16. Resuming Life in Chiang Mai Jan 24, 2019
  17. Overnight in Pai with Mike Jan 1, 2019
  18. 2018: A Year In Review Dec 31, 2018
  19. Peoplescape of Chiang Mai Dec 12, 2018 - Jan 1, 2019
  20. Mike Chong Aug 8, 2018
  21. Kneaded and Pampered at Zira Spa Aug 4, 2018
  22. Savoring a Baht 3,500 Birds Nest Soup at Natural Bird Nest by Burapa Aug 3, 2018
  23. Chiang Mai's Amazing Peoplescape Apr 9-23, 2016


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4 Days in Chiang Mai at Nawa Saraan Hotel traveling

4 Days in Chiang Mai at Nawa Saraan Hotel

(Jan 2-6, 2019) After Pai, Mike and I headed to Chiang Mai where he checked me in at his luxurious Nawa Saraan Hotel. With 4 days before my Thailand visa expiration, I had to plan out my next move. Mike suggested I apply for a 60-day tourist visa with Thai Embassy in Hanoi and I could stay at a room in Nawa Saraan. Whoa!....more »»


PAI
PAI

  • Visiting Aida and Sofie in Pai Jan 3-5, 2021
  • Overnight in Pai with Mike Jan 1, 2019
  • Exploring Pai, Thailand May 19-24, 2016
  • Visiting the Land Split in Pai, Thailand May 23, 2016
  • Trekking the Ridges of Pai Canyon May 23, 2016
  • Climbing up the White Buddha (Wat Phra That Mae Yen) May 21, 2016

    • Pai FYI / Tips

    How to Get to Pai from Chiang Mai

    1. Pai is one of the most common destination from Chiang Mai and they have developed a system around it. At the Arcade Bus station in Chiang Mai (platform 13), there are vans leaving for Pai through these transport companies - Prempracha and Aviabooking (3 hours of winding road, B150). You will be dropped-off at the Pai bus station. It's walking distance to the hotels from there.
    2. Chiang Mai to Pai vans take hourly trips beginning 6:30 am to 5:30 pm
    3. Pai vans to Chiang Mai take hourly trips beginning 7:00 am to 5:00 pm

    Things to do, Places to go in Pai

    1. Pai Canyon Pai Canyon (Kong Lan) - 8 km from Pai with nature walk and open lookout with panoramic view
    2. Wat Phra That Mae Yen White Buddha on the Hill (Wat Phra That Mae Yen) - 353 step leading up to the White Buddha on the hill, overlooking the valley below
    3. Land Split in Pai The Land Split - in 2008, the land cracked and opened 2 meters wide and 11 meter deep...the widening continues through the years. Donation-based to the farmer who makes hibiscus drinks. Along the way to Pembok Waterfall
    4. Pembok Waterfall - drive out to kilometer marker 93, you will find a sign that points you to Ban Pam Klang on your right. If you take that road & drive for 8 kilometers you’ll find Pam Bok Waterfall on you right hand side just before reaching Pam Bok village
    5. Tha Pai Hot Spring - 8 km from Pai in the Huai Nam Dang National Park, just 2 kilometers off Route 1095. Water temperature at 80° Celsius. B200 for foreigners. Best to use the private spas for B100
    6. Charn Chai Muay Thai Gym - located within the city, the place to learn Muay Thai, Thailand's national sport. 174 m.1 Chaisongkharm Road, Pai, Thailand 58130
    7. Mor Paeng Waterfall - 3-tier waterfall with chance to slide off rocks into the pool...but be very cautious as the 2 tiers are not doable
    8. Nam Yang Kung Fu - study Kung Fu and practise meditation in a retreat format

    Pai Cost Index

    (US$1 = Thai Baht 35.691 = Php 46.791 as of May 22, 2016)

    Travel Tips for Thailand

    How to Get a 60-Day Thai Tourist Visa and then Extend by another 30 Days

    This process is BEFORE Covid 19. Not sure what it is now.

      60-Day Thai Tourist Visa

      NOTE: There is no need to go back to your country to get the Thai tourist visa. Any major city with a Thai Embassy will do. Apparently there is also no need to have an invitation from a Thai establishment to justify the visa.

    1. Bring the following to the Thai embassy:
      a) proof of money (bank statement will suffice)
      b) flight booking to Thailand
      c) onward flight back to your country from Thailand
      d) filled-in tourist visa form
      e) 2 passport pictures
      f) hotel booking in Thailand (they didn't ask me for this but better be safe)
      g) passport with at least 6 months validity
    2. After handing over all the documents, they will ask you to come pick your passport with the visa the following day from 4 to 5pm. That's it!
    3. NOTE: after 2 successful attempts, I was already questioned the 3rd time.

      30-Day Extension

      NOTE: When your 60-day visa is close to expiry and you want to extend your stay. No need to leave Thailand.

    1. bring the following to the Immigration Office:
      a) passport (make sure your Tourist Visa hasn't expired yet)
      b) Baht 1900
      c) photocopy of your passport + visa duration date stamp + TM6 card (white immigration card) and sign all the copies
      d) completed TM7 visa extension form (available at the Immigration Office)
      e) one 4cmx6cm passport picture
    2. submit the above to the Front Desk. They will give you a stub with your number on it. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called
    3. when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
    4. when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
    5. when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes
    Book Train Tickets in Thailand

    Book Train Tickets in Thailand Online by Train36.com

    General Travel Tips
    1. arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
    2. put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
    3. avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
    4. power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!
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