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May 23, 2016

Visiting the Land Split in Pai, Thailand

GPS waypoint: 19°19'16.8"N 98°25'25.2"E Land Split in Pai
Location: Tambon Amphoe Pai, Chang Wat, Thung Yao, Mae Hong Son 58130

Overnight Gap on the Earth
Have you heard that expression, "What if the earth opened up and swallowed you"? Well, it could have been. In 2008, a farmer's land in Pai split 2 meters wide and 11 meters deep from an earthquake. He walked to his field the following day and got the shock of his life. Through the years, the split has become wider and longer as more earthquakes hit the area. How does a crack on the earth look like? Time to check it out.

Epic Bicycle Ride
It was a gruelling bike ride to this farm as it was hot and I took the long loop covering 30 kms along roller-coaster and winding roads - from Pai to the Memorial Bridge and back the other way, passing through the essential tourism stops - elephant camps, hot springs, WWII Memorial Bridge, Pai Canyon and Pam Bok Waterfall.

Donation-Based Hospitality
The first thing that greeted me was an invite by Sam, a friend of the farmer/owner, to partake of the goodies they have harvested and prepared to all visitors - homemade wine, bananas (fresh and dried), tamarind, cut-up papaya, mangoes, sweet potato and drink-as-much-as-you-can Roselle juice. There is no fee - just a donation.

The Crack
It took a flight of steps on the ground to reach the crack-site. The vertical drop sections are fenced to prevent accidents. In some sections, the ground cracked wider leaving an 'island' in the middle where a tree holds the ground together. Other areas have become brushy as weeds and grass take over. But the cracks are very discernible. I couldn't imagine what it must have looked like if I was there seeing the earth open up as it happens.

Ending Thoughts
I haven't seen anything like this, so it's exciting and new for me. If you are already in the area, it's worth a visit - both for the cracks and the hospitality. While you're there, you can take the extra 4 kms inward for the Pembok Waterfall.

--- TheLoneRider

PAI

Visiting Aida and Sofie in Pai Jan 3-5, 2021

Overnight in Pai with Mike Jan 1, 2019

Exploring Pai, Thailand May 19-24, 2016

Visiting the Land Split in Pai, Thailand May 23, 2016

Trekking the Ridges of Pai Canyon May 23, 2016

Climbing up the White Buddha (Wat Phra That Mae Yen) May 21, 2016

Pai FYI / Tips

the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is clustered near the bus station. You're not too far away from anywhere in Pai
November through March is high season
late December to early April is burning season (wide areas are burned to clear land for the planting season, but the air becomes heavily polluted)

How to Get to Pai from Chiang Mai

Pai is one of the most common destination from Chiang Mai and they have developed a system around it. At the Arcade Bus station in Chiang Mai (platform 13), there are vans leaving for Pai through these transport companies - Prempracha and Aviabooking (3 hours of winding road, B150). You will be dropped-off at the Pai bus station. It's walking distance to the hotels from there.
Chiang Mai to Pai vans take hourly trips beginning 6:30 am to 5:30 pm
Pai vans to Chiang Mai take hourly trips beginning 7:00 am to 5:00 pm

Things to do, Places to go in Pai

Pai Canyon (Kong Lan) - 8 km from Pai with nature walk and open lookout with panoramic view
White Buddha on the Hill (Wat Phra That Mae Yen) - 353 step leading up to the White Buddha on the hill, overlooking the valley below
The Land Split - in 2008, the land cracked and opened 2 meters wide and 11 meter deep...the widening continues through the years. Donation-based to the farmer who makes hibiscus drinks. Along the way to Pembok Waterfall
Pembok Waterfall - drive out to kilometer marker 93, you will find a sign that points you to Ban Pam Klang on your right. If you take that road & drive for 8 kilometers you�ll find Pam Bok Waterfall on you right hand side just before reaching Pam Bok village
Tha Pai Hot Spring - 8 km from Pai in the Huai Nam Dang National Park, just 2 kilometers off Route 1095. Water temperature at 80° Celsius. B200 for foreigners. Best to use the private spas for B100
Charn Chai Muay Thai Gym - located within the city, the place to learn Muay Thai, Thailand's national sport. 174 m.1 Chaisongkharm Road, Pai, Thailand 58130
Mor Paeng Waterfall - 3-tier waterfall with chance to slide off rocks into the pool...but be very cautious as the 2 tiers are not doable
Nam Yang Kung Fu - study Kung Fu and practise meditation in a retreat format

Pai Cost Index

(US$1 = Thai Baht 35.691 = Php 46.791 as of May 22, 2016)

B55 small bottle of Leo beer
B40 standard price for a soup noodle or rice topping dish
B40 hot coffee in a decent cafe
B200 one hour massage
B50 bicycle rental, 24 hours
B20-30 coin operated laundry
B150 van to Chiang Mai, 3 hours
B100 dorm room, shared toilet during low season
B10 one hour, internet cafe
B30 haircut
B14 1.5 liter drinking water

Travel Tips for Thailand

How to Get a 60-Day Thai Tourist Visa and then Extend by another 30 Days

This process is BEFORE Covid 19. Not sure what it is now.

60-Day Thai Tourist Visa

NOTE: There is no need to go back to your country to get the Thai tourist visa. Any major city with a Thai Embassy will do. Apparently there is also no need to have an invitation from a Thai establishment to justify the visa.

Bring the following to the Thai embassy:
a) proof of money (bank statement will suffice)
b) flight booking to Thailand
c) onward flight back to your country from Thailand
d) filled-in tourist visa form
e) 2 passport pictures
f) hotel booking in Thailand (they didn't ask me for this but better be safe)
g) passport with at least 6 months validity
After handing over all the documents, they will ask you to come pick your passport with the visa the following day from 4 to 5pm. That's it!
NOTE: after 2 successful attempts, I was already questioned the 3rd time.

30-Day Extension

NOTE: When your 60-day visa is close to expiry and you want to extend your stay. No need to leave Thailand.

bring the following to the Immigration Office:
a) passport (make sure your Tourist Visa hasn't expired yet)
b) Baht 1900
c) photocopy of your passport + visa duration date stamp + TM6 card (white immigration card) and sign all the copies
d) completed TM7 visa extension form (available at the Immigration Office)
e) one 4cmx6cm passport picture
submit the above to the Front Desk. They will give you a stub with your number on it. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called
when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes

Book Train Tickets in Thailand

Book Train Tickets in Thailand Online by Train36.com

General Travel Tips

arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!

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