97 Ministore
A family-owned ministore in Pai stocking Western ingredients, fresh bread, pastries, and a coffee bar.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Daily 08:00–20:00
- Haggle at Markets, Not Malls
- Prices at market stalls are negotiable — start at 50–60% of the asking price and meet in the middle. Fixed-price shops and malls don't haggle. Smile and keep it friendly; aggressive bargaining is considered rude.
Tours that include 97 Ministore
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around 97 Ministore.
This place97 Ministore: tickets, guides & combos
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See prices
FoodStreet-food tours in Pai
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See pricesDay toursPai day tours
Most bookings cancel free up to 24 hours ahead
See pricesWhy go, and how to do it well
Tucked into the laid-back town of Pai in Mae Hong Son province, this family-owned ministore has carved out a loyal following among both long-term expats and travellers craving a taste of home. Unlike the chain convenience stores that dominate much of Thailand, this small independent shop specialises in food items that are genuinely difficult to source elsewhere in the region — think imported ingredients, homemade yogurt, cheese, milk, and a rotating selection of fresh-baked breads and croissants made on-site.
The shop functions as something of a one-stop resource for self-catering travellers, with a well-stocked range of Western pantry staples alongside freshly prepared pastries and a coffee bar. Reviewers have highlighted the ability to pick up specific ingredients for home cooking — from banana bread components to deviled egg fixings — that simply would not be found at a standard Thai convenience store. The atmosphere is modest and practical rather than polished, with the focus firmly on product selection and personal service.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Apr 2026 · How we check places
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After 97 Ministore, round out your day in Pai with contrasting stops nearby.
Reviews from Google
Support this family-owned local business instead of the inferior invading megacorps 7-11 and Lotus!! Has all the Western staples from great croissants and other breads to homemade yogurt, cheese, milk, golden raisins, pastas, and many hard-to-find items (and you can custom-order) as well as all the usual minimart supplies. Now has fancy coffee from a fancy machine too. A real place run by real people and real cats; the opposite of corporate BS. Treat them like humans and they will respond in kind.
Local family owned business specializing in food items for foreigners with a great selection, not easily available elsewhere. Also make fresh breads and pastries and have installed a coffee bar. Very much appreciate this shop and the owners for over 10 years. Thank you.
Nice staff and they sell snus unlike 7/11
A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 56 reviews on Google.
Pai, Pai District, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore markets & shopping nearby
All within 5 min walk of 97 Ministore.
Tesco Lotus Express pai
A convenient supermarket in central Pai stocking groceries, fresh produce, alcohol, and everyday essentials.
Saeng Thong Market
A bustling daily fresh market in Pai where locals shop for produce, meat, and affordable street food.
Afternoon Market
A local fresh produce market in Pai offering fruit, vegetables, and herbs at genuinely local prices.
Aumpika Stationery Store
A well-stocked stationery and general supplies store in central Pai, open daily.
Tips for Visiting Markets & Shopping
Arrive Early or Late
Vendors believe the first sale of the day is lucky — you'll often get a better deal if you arrive right when the market opens. Late in the evening, sellers may also discount to avoid packing unsold goods.
Be Cautious with Tailors
Bangkok has excellent tailors, but also many tourist traps. Avoid anyone offering suspiciously cheap suits or who approaches you on the street. Ask your hotel for recommendations, read reviews, and always get two fittings.
Claim Your VAT Refund
Spend 2,000+ THB at a single store displaying 'VAT Refund for Tourists' signs, get a yellow form at the register, and claim 7% VAT back at the airport. It adds up fast on bigger purchases.
97 Ministore: Frequently Asked Questions
Is 97 Ministore worth visiting?
97 Ministore holds a 4.5★ rating from 56 Google reviews, placing it among the highest-rated markets & shopping in Pai.
What are the opening hours of 97 Ministore?
97 Ministore is typically open 08:00-20:00 — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit 97 Ministore?
The best months to visit Pai are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: March – May (hot & hazy).
Where is 97 Ministore located?
97 Ministore is at Pai, Pai District, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand, in Pai. Getting around Pai: Motorbike rental (essential — ฿150/day); Bicycle rental for town.
Also popular in Pai
Pai Canyon
Free to walk, thrilling to look at, and mobbed at sunset by half of Pai's backpackers.
Yun Lai Viewpoint
Sunrise over the Pai valley for 20 baht, if you can face a 5am start in the cold.
Santichon Village
A Yunnanese-style village built for photos and cheap fun, and the four-person swing alone justifies the stop.
Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu
The view does the heavy lifting here: the whole town, the airport runway, and mountains in every direction.
Similar Markets & Shopping across Thailand
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Go at six in the morning, before the heat turns 15,000 stalls into an endurance test.
centralwOrld
Vast, air-conditioned and genuinely easy to navigate, with a top-floor food scene worth the trip alone.
Asiatique The Riverfront
Go at dusk, arrive by the free shuttle boat, and treat it as an evening out rather than a shopping trip.
MBK CENTER
Eight floors of small stalls and haggling, closer to an indoor market than a mall, and all the better for it.
