Located just to the southeast of Pai are the Tha Pai Hot Springs. The springs are an interesting side attraction to the town and have been for many years, although the expensive entrance fees puts a lot of foreign visitors off.
Tha Pai Hot Springs has been designated as part of the Huai Nam Dang National Park, although, in reality, it is nowhere near the main entrance. People may be disappointed by this and by the lack of facilities as well as in the springs themselves, which are essentially a small, hot pool and a little stream.
Before the charges for entry to Tha Pai Hot Springs were implemented, the act of walking a pleasant path from the car park to boil an egg in the hot pool or bathe in the stream was a must-do. Now, however, with the introduction of the exorbitant cost to foreigners – at five times the price of a Thai national – it doesn’t appear value for money.
It is even more senseless when you ponder the entry fee to Huai Nam Dang National Park proper, which is the same yet comes with excellent facilities and hiking trails. Despite this, however, it is a nice drive or ride out to Tha Pai Hot Springs and you could forego the springs and visit the nearby Tha Pai Spa Camping resort, which has several pools with hot springs water piped in. The entry fee for non-guests is more than reasonable.
Getting There
There is no public transport to Tha Pai Hot Springs; most visitors ride out there by bicycle or motorcycle via Route 4024
Need to Know
- What is it? A hot spring near the town of Pai
- Opening hours: 07:00-18:00 daily
- Entrance fees: adults 200B; children 100B
- Address: Highway 4024
- Where: 8km to the southeast of Pai town along the 4024 loop