Pai or Sukhothai, Which is better?

Pai and Sukhothai are small remote towns located in North Thailand. Pai is located in the Far North and is known for its beautiful natural landscapes. Sukhothai is located in Lower North Thailand and is known for its ancient temples. Both places have laid-back atmosphere and a great food scene.

In this article, I will compare Pai and Sukhothai, focusing on the locations, accommodations, cultural attractions, natural attractions, nightlife, shops, and food.

I’ve visited both places and explored many other parts of Thailand, so I really understand the country’s culture and what different regions are like. I hope to give you some useful recommendations from my real experience.

Is it better to visit Sukhothai or Pai?

Generally speaking, Pai is better than Sukhothai, if you want a good combination of natural attractions, cultural attractions, and nightlife. This is a small town with a hippie vibe and is a popular destination for backpackers, party lovers, nature lovers, and those who want to relax and unwind.

Sukhothai is a better place to visit for history buffs and those who want to explore ancient temples. This is the first capital of Thailand, full of cultural attractions dating back to its foundation to the 13th century. Sukhothai has great food, friendly locals, and is a popular destination for annual Loy Krathong Festival.

I enjoyed my stay in both Sukhothai and Pai equally. Each place offers me different experiences, and I’m glad I got to visit them all. Sukhothai is full of historical and cultural charm, while Pai is packed with natural beauty and a bohemian atmosphere.

Most visitors are probably more familiar with Pai than Sukhothai because it is just 3 hours drive from Chiang Mai while Sukhothai is around 5 hours away.

In Sukhothai, I enjoyed cycling around the historical park, visiting famous temples in the Central area, as well as the lesser-known temples in the west and north side of the park. My favorite temples are Wat Mahathat, Wat Si Chum, and Wat Sa Si.

I also wake up early to attend the alms giving for monks rituals at Wat Traphang Thong. The night life in Sukhothai Old Town is very relaxing, with small night markets near and inside the historical park.

In Pai, I had a great time hiking, visiting temples and waterfalls, sightseeing, and experiencing the nightlife. Some of my favorite places to visit in Pai are Pai Canyon, Bamboo Bridge, Mae Yen Waterfall, Pam Bok Waterfall, White Temple, and Tham Lot Cave.

The nightlife in Pai is more lively than Sukhothai. It has a wider range of restaurants, bars, and shops. The nightmarket is also busier than in Sukhothai. If you want a party and a more backpacker atmosphere, Pai is the winner.

If you have enough time, you can visit two both Pai and Sukhothai. These places are parts of my journey from Central Thailand to the North, passing Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Pai, and Chiang Rai.

My recommended hotels in Pai:

Mid-range: Pai Village Boutique Resort
Mid-range: The Quarter Pai
Budget: Baan Pai Nai Wieng

My top hotel picks in Sukhothai:

Mid-range: Legendha
Mid-range: Le Charme
Budget: OldTown Boutique House

Location & How to Get There

Pai and Sukhothai are located in North Thailand. Pai is located around 130km north west of Chiang Mai. Sukhothai is located around 280 km south of Chiang Mai.

Both Pai and Sukhothai have an airport. Pai Airport hasn’t been in operation for years, so you can’t fly directly to Pai. Sukhothai Airport has direct flights from Bangkok, so it’s easier to access by air from the Thai capital city.

The most popular ways to get to Pai and Sukhothai is by bus, or minivan. There are services from major cities such as Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

There are no train stations in these towns. If you want to take the train, you need to get off at their nearby train stations, then take another form of transport to reach your destination. For Sukhothai is Phitsalouk Station (60km away) and for Pai is Chiang Mai Station (130km away).

Accommodations

These are quite remote towns of Thailand, so you’ll mostly find budget and mid-range places to stay. There are no big chain 5-star luxury hotels in either Sukhothai or Pai. You can find cozy family-run guest houses, which offer a more local and homey atmosphere.

Like many other parts of Thailand, accommodations are often in high demand in the peak season from November to May. If you wait until the last minute to book a hotel, you could end up with nowhere to stay. You can find a good hotel, if you’re booking in advance.

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Nightlife

Pai, without a doubt, is the best place to go for nightlife. There are plenty of bars and restaurants in the areas around the walking street, where you can enjoy parties until early morning.

Pai is also home to the night market and walking street, which is held every night. It is a great spot for shopping and eating typical Thai food and regional dishes.

The nightlife in Sukhothai is much quieter than Pai. It just has a small night market near Wat Traphang Thong and the weekend market inside the historical park. You can enjoy a calm atmosphere, local dishes, and seating around the scenic lake.

Shopping

There are no big modern shopping malls in either Sukhothai or Pai. Pai has a bit better shopping scene because there are many shops and street stalls on the walking street and the main town. You can shop for handmade jewelry, arts & crafts,and bohemian‑style items.

In Sukhothai, you can shop at the weekend night market inside the Historical Park. You can find typical Thai souvenirs at the night market.

Food

Both Sukhothai and Pai have good food scenes. A famous dish in Sukhothai is the Kuay Tiew Sukhothai (Sukhothai noodles). This dish has rice noodles in a sweet‑savory pork broth, topped with ground pork, green beans, crispy pork crackling, and peanuts.

Additionally there are many other street foods such as grilled meat/skewers, grilled fish, fried snacks, and local desserts at the night markets.

A famous dish in Pai is Khao Soi, which is Northern Thai coconut curry noodle soup. Additionally there are Shan/Burmese-influenced dishes in Pai. The town has many vegetarian and vegan options.

Pai is home to many trendy cages and restaurants with beautiful settings, views over the mountains and valleys. Many famous spots for sunset.

History, Temples, and Cultural Attractions

Sukhothai is the best place to go for historical and cultural attractions. The city was the first capital of Thailand (13th–14th century). It is known as the birthplace of Thai art, architecture, and language.

Famous temples in Sukhothai include Wat Mahathat, Wat Si Chum, Wat Sa Si, Wat Phra Phai Luang, and Wat Sra Sri. There is also a museum where you can learn more about the history of the region.

Pai is all about the natural beauty and nightlife, but it is also home to some temples and cultural attractions such as Wat Phra That Mae Yen, or Chinese Village.

Natural Attractions, Waterfalls, Hiking

Pai is surrounded by mountains and rivers, and is a better place to go for nature and outdoor activities. There are many hiking trails, river activities, waterfalls, rice fields, and scenic viewpoints to explore.

Pai Canyon (Kong Lan) is the most famous attraction in Pai. It is a natural sandstone formation with stunning panoramic views. It is also a great destination for brave hikers.

There are a range of waterfalls to explore such as Mo Paeng Waterfall, Pam Bok Waterfall, Mae Yen Waterfall, and Tha Pai Hot Springs. I really enjoyed the hike inside the thick jungle to Mae Yen Waterfall. It is a remote and peaceful place to explore.

Sukhothai is more known for its ancient temples than natural attractions. But it does have some good hiking trails nearby such as the one inside the Ramkhamhaeng National Park.

Getting Around & Size

Both the city center of Sukhothai and Pai are small and easily explored on foot. Cycling is a popular way to explore Sukhothai, because most major temples and attractions are concentrated in the historical parks.

The attractions in Pai are quite spread out, so you need to rent a scooter or take a guided tour to explore. I highly recommend taking a small group tour if you don’t plan to rent a scooter. The half day or full day tour will take you to most major attractions within the region easily.