Pai From Chiang Mai: 135 km on Highway 1095, Bus 612, Scooter Rules

Pai is 135 km from Chiang Mai on Highway 1095, a mountain road with steep, winding sections and damaged stretches. Bus route 612 serves it, run by Prempracha Transport with buses and minivans. Mae Hong Son province banned open burning from 1 February to 30 April 2026.

By Vincent Nguyen and team

The road from Chiang Mai to Pai

Pai is 135 km from Chiang Mai on Highway 1095 by the province’s table. From Chiang Mai city via Mae Taeng and Mae Rim it is about 120 km. The highway runs 246 km from Mae Taeng to Mae Hong Son. Pai is 111 km from Mae Hong Son town.

What the road is like

The road is mostly two lanes wide. It climbs and descends with steep, winding sections. The road is damaged in places and obstacles are often found in the lane. Drivers must drive carefully, at a moderate speed, and follow traffic signs strictly.

Bus and minivan to Pai

Bus route 612 starts at Chiang Mai bus station and follows Highway 107 through Mae Rim to Ban Mae Malai. It then turns left onto Highway 1095 through Pai and Pang Mapha to Mae Hong Son.

One company, Prempracha Transport, runs it with ordinary buses, air-conditioned buses and minivans. Pai has 1 bus station, served by the same company with ordinary buses and shared minivans. The whole run to Mae Hong Son is 250 km and takes 6 hours.

Scooter rules, licence and risk

Motorcycle accidents are common and cause most road deaths. Rental scooters and motorcycles are often poorly maintained. Read the laws and fines guide first.

• You must carry an international driving permit or a Thai driver’s licence to drive in Thailand.
• Riding without a motorcycle licence could get an insurance claim denied.
• Riders and passengers must wear a helmet, and the fine is up to THB 2,000. The helmet enforcement push started on 1 June 2025.
• A rider whose passenger has no helmet is fined double.
• Hire scooters in tourist areas are often unregistered and cannot be used legally on a public road.
• Do not hand over your passport as a guarantee. Some renters had passports left as collateral withheld.
• Some companies stole the motorcycle and then claimed compensation from the renter.

Smoke season and the burning ban

Mae Hong Son province banned all open burning from 1 February to 30 April 2026, except areas under the fuel management plan. Report a fire on 199.

The Thai 24-hour PM2.5 limit is 37.5 µg/m³. Follow readings on Air4Thai. Burning in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries carries 4 to 20 years in jail. The Chiang Mai guide has the Chiang Mai side of the smoke season.

Huai Nam Dang National Park

Huai Nam Dang covers Mae Taeng, Chiang Dao and Wiang Haeng districts in Chiang Mai and Pai district in Mae Hong Son. A foreign adult pays THB 300 and a foreign child THB 150. A car adds THB 30 and a motorcycle THB 20. These rates took effect on 7 June 2022.

A child is aged 3 to 14 or no taller than 140 cm. Children under 3 and disabled people are exempt, and the senior exemption covers Thai seniors aged 60 and over only.

The directory lists the park open every day from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Popular places are the Doi Kiew Lom viewpoint and, under features, Pong Dua Hot Springs, Tha Pai and Mae Haad Waterfall. The park office address is Mae Malai Road - Pai. The park also lists a hot-spring zone 28 km from the park office with tents and a camping ground.

Pai Canyon and sights near town

Pai Canyon, called Kong Lan locally, is in Thung Yao Subdistrict, Pai District. Hours run daily from 06:00 to 19:00 and entry is free, per a private guide rather than a government listing.

The entrance is about 7 km from Pai town, on the left of Highway 1095 toward Mae Malai. From the parking area you walk uphill a short distance to the main viewpoint. Sturdy footwear is recommended because some sections are dusty and uneven.

Some sections are narrow, steep and unprotected, with sharp drop-offs on either side. The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon. Midday can be much hotter, with stronger sun exposure.

Other stops near the canyon are Pai Memorial Bridge at 1.7 km and Wat Phra That Mae Yen at 6 km. Pai Walking Street is 7 km away.

Mueang Paeng hot spring

Mueang Paeng Hot Spring is at Ban Mueang Paeng, Mueang Paeng Subdistrict, Pai District. It is open daily from 07:00 to 18:00 per a private guide. The water reaches around 95 degrees Celsius.

From Pai town take Highway 1095 toward Mae Malai for about 28 to 29 km. Then turn right onto Highway 1265 near kilometer marker 85 to 86. The last stretch is a mix of concrete and rough road. The subdistrict office number is 0-5361-5996.

Money, hospital and emergencies

Pai has branches of Krung Thai, BAAC, Government Savings Bank, Krungsri, Bangkok Bank and Kasikornbank. Pai Hospital is the district’s state hospital, with 60 beds.

For serious injury, Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai’s Trauma Center of Excellence is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital is at 110 Inthawarorot Rd., Sri Phum. Its emergency room is open 24 hours a day.

Call 1669 for a medical emergency. Mae Hong Son has a tourist police station. See Thailand emergency numbers.

Before you go

• Carry an international driving permit or a Thai licence before you hire a scooter.
• Wear a helmet: the fine is up to THB 2,000.
• Keep your passport: do not hand it over as a guarantee.
• Check Air4Thai before you plan outdoor days.
• Keep 1669 and 199 saved.

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Not confirmed: Minivan fares and journey time from Chiang Mai are not confirmed: ask the operator. The fees and hours of Pai Canyon, the Tha Pai hot springs and Tham Lod are not confirmed, nor whether the park fee covers Tha Pai: ask at each gate.

Prices, timetables and opening hours change; check with the operator before you travel. See how guides are checked.

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