Soak Your Troubles Away at the Natural Hot Springs in Pai
Immerse yourself in Pai’s soothing natural hot springs for an idyllic experience. Situated just north of town, these captivating pools should not be missed when visiting Northern Thailand.
Tha Pai Hot Springs are known to get busy during their High Season (November to February), so arriving early or late will help avoid crowds and allow you to fully experience its peaceful setting.
1. Relax in the Nature
Pai is an idyllic destination with gorgeous mountains and lush forests to take in from its hot springs, where you can soak in their soothing waters to unwind from everyday stressors. These natural hot springs offer the ideal place to unwind after a stressful day’s work.
These hot springs have become an immensely popular tourist attraction both domestic and foreign tourists alike. To best experience these springs, visit on weekdays as much as possible; that way you’ll avoid crowds of tourists while also getting the benefit of enjoying its peaceful ambience. Also consider bringing along a waterproof camera so you can capture stunning images of waterfalls and lush jungle scenery!
There are various hot springs around Pai, some located within easy driving distance of town while others further away. Tha Phai Hot Springs are particularly well known and feature several pools with different temperatures to provide plenty of relaxation opportunities.
At this hot spring during its high season (November to February), crowds can become very congested. To avoid them, arrive early and try visiting on weekdays if at all possible.
Sai Ngam Hot Springs are another fantastic hot springs near Pai, located about 15km north of town (about 30 minutes on a scooter). While less renowned than Tha Phai hot springs and thus much less popular with visitors, these offer great value as admission costs only 40THB per person for an experience you will likely remember fondly for years!
Also, these hot springs offer many advantages because of their location: being situated in rural areas means there are fewer food and drink options nearby, allowing for relaxation without worry over finding nearby eateries or bars. This makes these springs ideal for enjoying nature without having to find nearby dining establishments or bars to satisfy your thirst for relaxation and unwinding.
2. Take a Dip
Plunge into Pai’s hot springs and experience their soothing mineral-rich waters to experience true relaxation and revitalization. Not only can these natural pools heal various common conditions such as arthritis and back pain, they may even reach temperatures exceeding 100degC! Just remember: be cautious.
Tha Phai hot springs, located approximately 8 kilometres south of Pai town centre, is one of its most beloved spots. Offering numerous baths with differing temperatures as well as a small channel through which hot spring water flows directly into a river, Tha Phai offers enough heat to boil eggs on an annual basis – a practice locals enjoy doing here as part of their tradition. In addition, Tha Phai features simple resort accommodations featuring thatched cottages as well as those equipped with satellite TV and minibars.
Or you could take a more undiscovered approach and visit Sai Ngam Hot Springs instead, which are less touristy and much cheaper. They can be reached by taking Route 1095 towards Mae Hong Son City from Pai and turning right at the sign for these springs – paying the entry fee of 20 baht before relaxing into their soothing hot river water for a peaceful soak!
At dawn, this activity offers the chance to witness how light illuminates the waters, creating a magical glow over your surroundings and providing an opportunity to appreciate peaceful moments with yourself and relax without interruption by tourists and locals alike.
When visiting Pai Hot Springs, remember that this natural landmark should be treated with care and with consideration for its surroundings. Make sure your noise level remains at an appropriate level and do not disturb any plant life found around the pool.
Keep in mind that breathing the sulphurous gases emitted from hot springs can be toxic, so try not to inhale for long. Be especially wary when taking small children as they could easily be burned by super-hot waters. Aim to stay at each spring for approximately 30 minutes before cooling off in one of the nearby streams; this will enable you to fully unwind and relax!
3. Enjoy the View
As you relax in a hot springs pool, take time to appreciate your surroundings. Nature offers breathtaking beauty while the serene environment can help ease away your tension.
Sunrise and sunset offer spectacular views from hot springs. Gazing across a valley or gazing upon snow-capped mountains above, nature provides enough of its own soothing calming power to make for an utterly captivating view.
To experience Pai at its finest, it’s best to visit during its shoulder season (November-February), when crowds tend to be smaller. High season can become very crowded so be sure to plan accordingly for your trip.
As part of your travel preparations to Pai, make sure to pack plenty of water and snacks. Towels and sunscreen may also come in handy depending on how much sun exposure is expected during your visit – you never know what the weather may bring in Pai! Also keep in mind that conditions in Pai are unpredictable so always prepare yourself!
Sai Ngam is one of Pai’s most beloved hot springs, situated a little outside the center of town but well worth the trek. Its pools offer clear waters that are the ideal temperature, while the surrounding jungle provides tranquility and stunning views of White Buddha from above.
To reach the hot springs from Pai, follow Route 1095 until a blue sign on your left indicates Sai Ngam Hot Springs and then there will be a small wooden hut where you can pay your 20 baht entrance fee.
Once inside, you can explore all of the different thermal pools to find your favorite. It’s a wonderful place for relaxation with friends or solo time – especially as an escape from city heat! Bring along your camera because the scenery makes an excellent backdrop for Instagram pictures; but keep in mind you are visiting a remote area; therefore you should bring sunscreen and bring along a hat too if expected any bars or restaurants nearby!
4. Boil an Egg
Visit Pai’s hot springs is an ideal way to unwind and unwind from everyday stressors, with serene surroundings helping you forget any problems while the therapeutic water rejuvenates both body and mind. Just don’t forget your safety: temperatures in these geothermal pools can reach 100oC; splashes from these natural geothermal pools could result in burns; make sure only to swim in pools recommended and supervise children closely when travelling with them if traveling alone; also note that over time sulphurous gases could accumulate which could become toxic over time if left alone for too long – be careful!
Tha Phai and Sai Ngam are two of the most acclaimed hot springs in Pai, particularly the former, which can become quite busy from November through February; therefore it is wise to arrive as early as possible. Both resorts provide various thermal baths at various temperatures as well as simple cottages or upgraded ones with satellite television capabilities.
This destination may be further away, but it makes an excellent getaway during the low season. Driving through small villages surrounded by rice fields is itself an experience; stop off at the natural geyser to add something truly memorable.
Once you arrive, you’ll discover a makeshift parking lot complete with bamboo hut belonging to its owner – who offers eggs so visitors can try out their famous “boil an egg at the hot springs” trick! Though slightly cooler than other hot springs, its water still possesses enough heat to effectively boil an egg, providing an unforgettable and fun experience – don’t miss it!