Animals & Nature
Farms, cafe’s, and gentle creatures — here you’ll find places where children can meet animals and connect with nature.
Chai Tea Shop
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Chai Tea Shop is a tranquil spot tucked out in nature. The café serves only drinks, but offers free seasonal snacks from their garden, like dried banana chips, tamarind, or peanuts.
Kids will find plenty to explore here. There’s a swing, rope ladders, old ride-on toys, and a bag of building blocks and playthings. The open-air setting gives children space to roam while parents enjoy a quiet moment with tea.
What makes Chai Tea Shop extra special for families is the fish pond. You can buy food to feed the enormous catfish, and even take the kids out on the little raft for a closer look — always a delight for young visitors.
Simple, rustic, and welcoming, Chai Tea Shop offers a peaceful break in nature with just enough play and discovery to keep little ones happy.
Kho Ku So (Bamboo Bridge)
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Bamboo Bridge is a favourite spot for families in Pai, offering plenty of activities to keep kids entertained and parents relaxed. Wander along the bamboo walkway and enjoy gentle exercise surrounded by lush, green rice fields.
Children will love the fish pond, where huge catfish and colourful koi swim happily. Grab a cup of fish food (just a small donation) and watch the kids delight in feeding them.
Scattered along the walkway are swings, perfect for a playful break amid the scenic views.
In the middle of the bridge, kids can try their hand at archery practice, adding a fun and safe challenge to the visit.
For a splash of adventure, a section of the bamboo bridge leads straight into the rice field, letting children get their feet wet and muddy. Don’t worry—there’s a water tap nearby to wash up after the fun.
The site also features a café, and upstairs, some sleepy cats lounge around—perfect for gentle patting sessions that kids adore.
Entry is 30 baht per person, making it an affordable morning or afternoon activity for the whole family.
Santichon Village
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Santichon Village — often called the Chinese Village — is a cultural stop in Pai where families can wander the grounds freely, with no entrance fee. It’s a lively spot for kids, offering several interactive activities alongside a glimpse of local heritage.
One of the main attractions is the large fish pond filled with koi, silver carp, and old catfish. For 10 baht (bring coins), you can purchase fish food from a self-serve station — the feeding frenzy that follows is always a hit with children. The pond’s bridge and central sala provide shady places to watch.
Families will also find a few ponies offering short rides for a small fee, a hand-operated wooden ferris wheel, and additional activities like archery practice or dressing up in traditional costume.
With its mix of play, animals, and cultural experiences, Santichon Village makes for an easygoing family outing in Pai.
Long Neck Kitchen
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Perched along the Mae Yen River, Long Neck Kitchen is a relaxed café surrounded by greenery with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. It’s a favourite among families for one special reason — children can splash and play in the shallow river just below.
During the rainy season, the water runs fast and brown, but once the rains ease, it becomes crystal clear again, revealing flecks of quartz and even a little gold shimmer in the sand. In the cooler season, it’s an especially lovely spot for toddlers to get their toes and bottoms wet.
The café serves familiar classic Thai dishes at affordable prices, along with a small selection of drinks. Their fresh coffee is brewed with beans from local roaster Khaotha — perfect to enjoy slowly while the kids play in nature.
Thom's Elephant Camp
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Thom’s Elephant Camp offers visitors the chance to spend meaningful time with elephants in an ethical and natural setting. There’s a strict no-riding policy, and the focus is on gentle interaction and care.
You can join a morning or sunset jungle walk, following the elephants through the forest, along the river where they bathe, and up into the hills — a peaceful experience that lets you see how they move, eat, and interact in nature. Each day from 1pm to 3pm, the elephants are released from their pens to freely forage in the nearby field, where visitors can purchase buckets of bananas to feed them.
It’s a wonderful opportunity for both children and adults to learn about these incredible animals up close, while supporting a sanctuary that prioritises their well-being.
Hua Chang Waterfall Café
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Hua Chang Waterfall Café is a small, family-run spot that combines homestyle cooking with a peaceful natural setting. The café serves drinks and freshly prepared meals, and the friendly owners are happy to accommodate special requests — from gluten-free pancakes to hearty bowls of borscht.
For families, the riverside location is part of the charm. In the dry season, you can walk down to the clear stream where kids can splash and play. There are also two resident horses — sometimes in the stall by the road, other times grazing by the river — that little ones will love to say hello to.
Capybara Café
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Set on a hill overlooking Pai, Capybara Café offers visitors the chance to meet two calm and friendly capybaras while enjoying a drink or meal. Entry is 500 baht, with 300 baht credited toward food or drinks, and includes a complimentary coffee and access to the adjoining hostel pool.
The capybaras have a spacious enclosure where they can swim, rest in the shade, and interact gently with visitors — they’re known to enjoy chin scratches and tummy rubs.
Wat Pong Wiang Nuea
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Wat Pong Wiang Nuea is a small, peaceful neighborhood temple not usually found on visitor itineraries, but it offers a charming glimpse into local life. The wat has a modest bird aviary with a few peacocks and a friendly talking parrot who speaks back in Thai—a delightful surprise for anyone.
Every wat in Pai has its own character, often reflecting the monks’ personal interests or skills, and Wat Pong Wiang Nuea is no exception. It’s a gentle reminder that even the quietest temples have their own stories to share.
🪷 Visitor Etiquette:
Please dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered), remove shoes before entering temple buildings, speak quietly, and avoid pointing your feet toward Buddha images or monks. Always be mindful when taking photos and ask permission if unsure.✨ Wat’s in Pai are open to visitors and welcome everyone who comes with respect and curiosity.
The House Café
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The House Café is a peaceful spot in Mae Hi, surrounded by greenery and offering a full menu of food and drinks. With its relaxed setting, it’s a welcoming place for families to enjoy a meal together in nature.
One of the highlights for young children is the balcony seating, which overlooks a pond and a pen with three large turtles. Little ones especially enjoy watching the turtles while dining, making mealtimes here both easy and entertaining.
A simple, nature-framed café that offers good food alongside a calm space for kids’ curiosity.
Cake go “O”
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Cake go “O” is a large bakery and café known for its wide selection of cakes, breads, and sweet treats, alongside a full food and drinks menu. With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, it’s a practical choice for families and larger groups looking for space to spread out.
Children may enjoy the fishtank inside, which is home to oranda goldfish with their distinctive bubbly heads. There are also rabbits on site — a few usually placed in a small pen for viewing, with others kept in cages at the back near the bathrooms.
More of a convenient spot for a meal or snack than a play destination, Cake go “O” offers reliable food and space for families to gather.
Khaotha Coffee
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Khaotha Coffee is a local roastery and café serving freshly brewed coffee and a small café-style menu. Its location makes it a convenient stop for families as it’s situated close to a playground.
The café also houses a number of animals — including a small turtle under the stairs, birds, an iguana, and larger turtles kept in a cemented back area. While children may be curious to see them, the enclosures are limited and not very nature-like, so it’s worth keeping expectations in mind.
Best enjoyed for its coffee and proximity to outdoor play, Khaotha Coffee can be a handy pause point for families exploring Pai.
Romance Farm
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A sweet stop where families can meet cows, sheep, and pigs up close.
On weekends, the café serves creamy soft-serve ice cream made with milk from their own cows.
There’s no fee to visit the farm animals, though a café purchase is required.
We’re currently checking for updates on what to expect when visiting the animals and will share more details here soon.