Skip to main content
Visit Thailand Today
Temples & Culture
Pai

Wat Pa Huai Khai Khiri

4.3(34 reviews)

This is the thing at the far end of the Kho Ku So bamboo bridge, and that's really how you should think about it. Not a destination in its own right, not a temple that'll knock you sideways with gilded rooftops, but a small forest wat with a few traditional wooden buildings scattered around it and very little noise. People who go expecting spectacle come away shrugging. People who go expecting quiet come away happy.

The walk is half the point. You cross the bamboo bridge over open fields from the parking area and arrive on foot, which is a much better way to turn up at a temple than pulling in beside a coach. Scooters can get close, but you park before the gate and walk the last bit anyway. The grounds are compact and you'll be through in fifteen or twenty minutes unless you sit down and let the place work on you, which I'd recommend. Go in the morning, when the fields are still cool.

Book tours & tickets in Pai

Day trips, skip-the-line entry, and guided experiences around Wat Pa Huai Khai Khiri — book ahead and skip the on-the-ground markup.

We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Experience hints

Hidden gem

Reviews from Google

Wat Pa Huai Khai Khiri (วัดป่าห้วยคายคีรี) is a quiet forest temple near Pai with a very peaceful, “away from everything” atmosphere. What makes it special for visitors is the access: you typically reach it by walking across the Kho Ku So bamboo bridge through open fields, because vehicles don’t go all the way to the temple area. It’s simple, calm, and feels genuinely local—best for a respectful visit, slow walk, and scenery rather than “big temple” sightseeing.

You can get here by walking from the bamboo bridge Very peaceful and quiet here

not a spectacular temple but worth a visit after being on the bamboo bridge

A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 34 reviews on Google.

Also Popular in Pai

Yun Lai Viewpoint

Yun Lai Viewpoint

4.4(5,017)
999W+J56, Wiang Tai, Pai District, Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand

Sunrise over the Pai valley for 20 baht, if you can face a 5am start in the cold.

Doi Kiew Lom Viewpoint

Doi Kiew Lom Viewpoint

4.5(3,661)
C8W9+8M7, Tham Lot, Pang Mapha District, Mae Hong Son 58150, Thailand

A proper coffee-and-mountains pause on the Mae Hong Son Loop, and the views are best right by the car park.

Nature Life @ PAI

Nature Life @ PAI

4.4(2,785)
287, 138 Chai Songkhram Rd, Tambon Wiang Tai, Amphoe Pai, Chang Wat Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand

Two streets shut to traffic every evening and fill with food stalls that outclass their small-town setting.

Centrico Pai Mexican Restaurant

Centrico Pai Mexican Restaurant

4.8(2,759)
138 Chai Songkhram Rd, Tambon Wiang Tai, Amphoe Pai, Chang Wat Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand

Proper Mexican on Pai's main road, open ten in the morning till nearly midnight every day.

Wat Pa Huai Khai Khiri: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wat Pa Huai Khai Khiri worth visiting?

Wat Pa Huai Khai Khiri holds a 4.3★ rating from 34 Google reviews — a strong rating for temples & culture in Pai.

When is the best time to visit Wat Pa Huai Khai Khiri?

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 Wat Pa Huai Khai Khiri located?

Wat Pa Huai Khai Khiri is at บ้าน แพ ม บก, หมู่ ที่ 6, ตำบล ทุ่งยาว อำเภอปาย แม่ฮ่องสอน 58130, Thailand, in Pai. Getting around Pai: Motorbike rental (essential — ฿150/day); Bicycle rental for town.

Visitor Information

Best time to visit

November – February

Avoid: March – May (hot & hazy)

Rainy season

June – October

Avg. temperature

12°C – 32°C(54°F – 90°F)

Crowds

Moderate

Peak: December – January

Getting there

Minivan from Chiang Mai (3 hrs, ~762 curves, take motion sickness tablets). Small airport for charter flights only.

Getting around

  • Motorbike rental (essential — ฿150/day)
  • Bicycle rental for town
  • Walking in the town centre

Where to stay near Wat Pa Huai Khai Khiri

Find hotels in Pai on the booking sites travellers trust most.

  • Compare prices across sites
  • Filter for free cancellation
  • Secure checkout on the partner site

We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture

Dress Modestly

Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.

Mind Your Feet

Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.

Ask Before Photographing

Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.

Nearby Places

Kho Ku So Bamboo Bridge

Kho Ku So Bamboo Bridge

4.5(3,998)
89FV+273, Unnamed Road, Tambon Thung Yao, Amphoe Pai, Chang Wat Mae Hong Son 58130, Thailand

About 815 metres of bamboo walkway over rice fields, and the 30 baht buys you a whole afternoon.

Similar Temples & Culture Across Thailand

Wat Phra Kaew
Featured

Wat Phra Kaew

4.7(43,722)
Na Phra Lan Rd, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200

Go at 08:30 or don't bother, the Emerald Buddha's courtyards fill up fast and stay full until closing.

Doi Suthep Temple
Featured

Doi Suthep Temple

4.7(12,029)
Doi Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200

Go at first light, before the tour vans arrive, and the golden chedi and the whole Chiang Mai valley are yours.

The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace

4.6(79,769)
Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand

Go at 08:30 sharp, cover your shoulders and legs, and give it three hours rather than one.

The Sanctuary of Truth Museum

The Sanctuary of Truth Museum

4.7(46,481)
206, 2 Soi Na Kluea 12, Muang Pattaya, Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chang Wat Chon Buri 20150, Thailand

A hand-carved wooden giant still under construction, and watching the carpenters work is half the point.