"No it's a village!". "No it's a town!"... The Korean Jay and Japanese Takzu were arguing whether "Pai", the area we are in, is a village or a town. Interesting indeed, this "pie" is the cross road between Burma border and the city of Chiang Mai where lot of foreigners visiting to enjoy the laid back atmosphere and the mild weather of Thailand.

Relaxing is not what I came to Pai for, but the surrounding villages intrigue me. I rented a motorbike (125cc Honda scooter) this morning and spent the whole day cruising around the mountain road. It is not as tiring as I expected since there are only handful of cars on the road. Even the soldiers at the military check-points are nice and showed me the direction. I went to Mae La Na village, 70km from Pai. The villages kept asking me where I am from (hell this is the only questions I can understand!). "Phom ben kuen jin!" They seem to understand that I said I am Chinese? :-)


One of the many hotspring around Pai




Celebrating the Lunar New Year at one of the Chinese refugess village


Another tiring night


The Lashu kid


Sharing the same calendar with Chinese, the Lashu people celebrate a new year


A night staying in the Lashu family


Adventure on the muddy road


Gas station!




A scenic rest point


Opps...


My last proper meal before venturing into Laos...