Pai district


Pai is the northeasternmost district of Mae Hong Son province, northern Thailand. The central town is Pai.

Geography

The Daen Lao Range dominates the landscape of this district. Neighboring districts are : Mueang Mae Hong Son, Pang Mapha of Mae Hong Son Province; Shan State of Myanmar; Wiang Haeng, Chiang Dao, Mae Taeng, Samoeng, and Galyani Vadhana of Chiang Mai province.
The main rivers in the district are the Pai and Khong Rivers.

History

In 1477, during the reign of King Tilokaraj of the Lanna Kingdom, he ordered Prince Si Chai to attack the Burmese army at Ban Don. During the battle, two of the king's white elephants escaped. Soldiers were sent to search for them and eventually found the animals swimming in an unnamed river. The king then named the river Pai, derived from the word Phlai, which was also the name of one of the elephants, Chang Pai.
After the victory, the king granted Prince Si Chai the title Lord Chai Songkhram and placed him in charge of Pai.

Administration

The district is divided into seven sub-districts, which are further subdivided into 66 villages. Pai itself has township status and covers parts of tambon Wiang Tai. There are a further seven tambon administrative organizations.

Sights

Pai, at present it is well known as an important tourist destination of Mae Hong Son. It is therefore very popular with both Thai and foreign tourists especially young people and also being used as a location for filming movies such as Ruk Jung in 2006, Pai in Love and Kat Rattakarn's Ya Kuet Nak-MV in 2009, Timeline in 2014.