image credit: http://paithailand.chiangdao.com/

Wat Luang in Pai image credit: http://www.travelpod.com

Nestled in the hills of Mae Hong Son province in Northern Thailand beside a pretty little river is the popular bohemian village of Pai.

The combination of jungle-drenched mountains, friendly locals, sleepy pace of life, meandering river and an indescribable charm that goes far beyond the ordinary, makes Pai a hard place to beat.

Pai has proven to be a popular destination for back-packers and free spirits searching for a peaceful oasis were they can escape the hustle and bustle of their own lives and take the time to relax, reflect and rejuvenate.

In Pai every day is a lazy Sunday, in fact the word lazy ('Kee kiat') is a buzz word in the village.

If however you do manage to drag yourself out of your hammock and are ready for some physical activity, a visit to the hot springs is defiantly worth the effort.

In a fairytale forest setting, about seven kilometres out of town, the pools of spring water will leave you feeling better than a full day at the spa - and surprisingly, they're still free of charge.

Just before the turn-off to the springs, make a pitt stop at the elephant camps and take the time to bond with these stoic creatures.

It is well worth the stop to feed the elephants and hitch a ride with one of the big friendly giants through the jungle.

Pai Canyon is another major natural attraction of the village described as the 'grand canyon of Thailand'.

The views from Pai Canyon are incredible; the whole area radiates a strange, stark beauty which is most striking around sunset when the red, dusty earth and gaping fissure are bathed in late afternoon light.

For adventure-lovers, white-water rafting on the Pai River is available, beware however as some of the raucous rapids are fairly hairy.

For the less adrenalin-hungry, bamboo rafting and tubing on a gentler stretch of the river are more passive alternatives.

Trekking in the surrounding countryside is another enticing activity option and many choose Pai as their base for trekking. In season, there are two- to three-day treks departing daily.

For those wishing to go out for a late night boggie or cocktail Pai's nightlife may leave a little to be desired, the clubs and bars are charming but usually a little more laid back and quiet then their big city counter-parts.

If there's action to be had however you're likely to find it at the legendary Bee-Bop, where there's live music most evenings. Bee-Bop's late-night counterpart is the Bamboo Bar, where merry-making continues into the wee hours of the morning.

If you prefer lower-key entertainment, try the Edible Jazz Café, in the centre of town - a laid-back, café/coffee bar in a lush crescent of jungle.

Alternatively for the cheapest drinks in town (100 baht) visit Phu Pai a popular hang out with live music and great atmosphere.

As for Restaurants, Pai offers a plethora of dining options; all are reasonable and the food variable. Since most of the clientele are foreigners, they cater well to a western palate and also serve good vegetarian dishes, Thai cuisine and healthy breakfasts.

There is a range of different accommodation options when visiting Pai such as the budget-beating Mr Jan's in the centre of town, to top-end establishments like Belle Villa and Phu Pai Art Resort.

The long-established Golden Hut, and newer Drifters, Rimtaling and Paradise also come highly recommended.

Although just a tiny speck on the map, this magical place has evolved over the past ten years from a virtually unknown hamlet into a thriving, multi cultural town.