The Sai Ngam Hot Spring is one of my favorite locations in Pai to spend a few hours away from the city center. Sai Ngam Hot Spring is surrounded by a lush, green forest inside the national park just 25-minutes north of Pai.
I have put together this complete guide of Sai Ngam Hot Spring including how to get there and what to expect!
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WHERE IS SAI NGAM HOT SPRING & HOW TO GET THERE
Sai Ngam Hot Spring is located 17km north of Pai. From the center of town, it is approximately a 25-minute drive.
The best way to get to Sai Ngam Hot Spring is on a scooter.
Scooters can be rented for a little as 150 Baht per day from one of the many rental stores in the center of Pai.
Alternatively, some accommodations offer scooter rentals for around the same price. A money deposit or passport is generally required for insurance purposes.
If you aren’t confident with riding a scooter, you can hail a songthaew (pick-up truck with bench seats) to get from A to B. Make sure to agree on a price with the driver first before jumping in the back.
Must Read → 10 Things To Do In Pai
PIN LOCATION OF SAI NGAM HOT SPRING
Sai Ngam Hot Spring
SAI NGAM HOT SPRING ENTRANCE FEE
National Park Entrance Fee: 230 Baht per person
Sai Ngam Hot Spring Entrance Fee: 200 Baht per person
Parking Fee: 20 Baht per vehicle
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Waterproof Phone Case: A waterproof phone case is a must-have item! This universal case will keep your phone safe from water damage, sand and scratches during your adventures. Suitable for all smartphones.
ARRIVING AT SAI NGAM HOT SPRING
As you turn off the main road to head down to Sai Ngam Hot Spring, you’ll be stopped at a checkpoint at the beginning of the national park to pay the 230 Baht National Park Fee.
This cost was far more than what I expected to pay to swim at a hot spring but I had just driven 25-minutes to get here, so I reluctantly handed over the money to the gatekeeper.
From this checkpoint, follow the road for another 5-minutes to reach Sai Ngam Hot Spring. The road is very steep and hilly so please use caution.
At the jump-off point, there is a ticket office where you’ll have to pay the 20 Baht fee to go swimming in the natural hot pools.
In total it cost 460 Baht (USD$15) for the two of us… It definitely isn’t the cheapest attraction but I must say that as soon as I jumped into the Sai Ngam Hot Spring there were no complaints!
The entrance to Sai Ngam Hot Spring
Crystal clear water at Sai Ngam Hot Spring
WHAT TO EXPECT AT SAI NGAM HOT SPRING
The Sai Ngam Hot Spring is a 3-tiered cascading natural hot pool, the top one being the hottest at 34-degrees Celsius.
I could have spent hours floating around in this crystal clear hot spring. The water temperature was just perfect!
If you have an underwater GoPro camera, you’re going to want to put it to use! I don’t think I have ever seen a freshwater spring as transparent as the Sai Ngam Hot Spring.
There is a timber seating area off to the side of the springs to hang out and change rooms/toilets are located at the gate entrance.
Also, if you want to buy some snacks and drinks there are some small stall vendors that line the street near the car park.
GoPro Hero 8: One of the most popular cameras on the planet! I love using the GoPro Hero 8 for all my underwater shots and fast-paced adventures. The GoPro Hero 8 captures the best moments with its wide range of features that are very simple to use!
Small cascading waterfall at Sai Ngam Hot Spring
BEST PLACES TO STAY IN PAI
Pai has hundreds of accommodations to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of the best places to stay near Yun Lai Viewpoint to suit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers and everyone in between.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Pai Island Resort
This is one of the best 5-star accommodations in Pai with a dreamy setting in the forests. Featuring a pong, well-kept gardens, restaurant and bar, free wifi and airport shuttle services. Each Suite is fitted with fine beddings and furnishings, gardens, patios, minibar, air conditioning and outdoor bathtub. Recommended for couples, families and friends.
Mid Range: Rim Pai Cottage
Rim Pai Cottages are 3-star accommodations framed by beautiful mountains and the Pai River. Centrally located on Pai’s famous walking street, this property features a restaurant, infinity pool and free wifi. Choose from a double room, family room, villas or a suite, each fitted with air conditioning, tea/coffee facilities, comfortable beds, private bathroom and flat-screen tv. Perfect place to stay in Pai for couples, families and friends!
Budget: Spicy Pai Backpackers
Spicy Pai Backpackers is the most popular budget accommodation in Pai. Great place to stay for solo travelers, couples and friends! This property is surrounded by mountains and rice fields, featuring a common area, communal kitchen and free wifi. Choose from either a dorm room, private bungalow or a quadruple king size room with bed linen and towels. A complimentary breakfast is also included for all guests!
FOR ALL OTHER PLACES TO STAY IN PAI, SEARCH ON AGODA OR SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM
LONELY PLANET – THAILAND
One of the best books to take on your trip is the Lonely Planet Thailand Travel Guide!
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MORE THAILAND TRAVEL GUIDES
Thailand Travel Guide: 3 Week Thailand Itinerary
Bangkok Travel Guide: 5 Things To Do In Bangkok
Koh Tao Travel Guide: 15 Things To Do In Koh Tao
Chiang Mai Travel Guide: 10 Things To Do In Chiang Mai
Pai Travel Guide: 10 Things To Do In Pai
Krabi Travel Guide: 5 Best Beaches in Krabi
AIRBNB PAI
Another option for accommodation near Sai Ngam Hot Spring is to stay at an Airbnb, which generally has some great deals in Pai.
WANT TO SAVE $$$ ON AIRBNB? GET MY AIRBNB MONEY SAVING GUIDE
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WHAT TO PACK FOR PAI
Everyday Backpack: One of the best backpacks on the market! The Nomatic 20L Backpack is perfect for on the go adventures. Featuring multiple storage spaces for valuables, drink bottles, chargers, notebooks and more. This sleek backpack was designed for you.
Universal Power Adapter: Don’t leave home without one! I highly recommend getting this Universal Power Adapter so that you are able to charge all of your electronics when you’re on the road. Compatible in Asia, UK, Europe, Africa, USA, SA and Australia.
Hidden Money Belt: I never go on a trip without one! The best thing is they are always out of sight, hidden beneath your clothing. With RFID blocking, they are perfectly designed to keep your credit cards, cash and other valuables safe when you’re out adventuring!
Waterproof Phone Case: A waterproof phone case is a must-have item! This universal case will keep your phone safe from water damage, sand and scratches during your adventures. Suitable for all smartphone models.
Portable Charger: One of the best portable chargers on the market! The Anker Power Bank keeps your phone and accessories charged on those longer adventures. Featuring 2 USB charging ports, rechargeable battery, works with iPhone, iPad, Samsung, Oppo and Android.
Microfibre Travel Towel: To pack a towel or not to pack a towel? A standard bathroom towel can take up a lot of space in your travel bag. Get your hands on a quick-dry Microfibre Travel Towel which is perfect for the beach, backpacking, camping and general traveling.
Rain Jacket: A light-weight rain jacket is an absolute must when traveling! North Face waterproof rain jackets come in both men and women sizes, featuring a breathable mesh lining and adjustable hood that can be tucked away inside the collar.
Kindle: The best alternative for books! Kindle e-readers are perfect for long haul flights, reading on the beach or a quiet evening away from the bars. Kindle’s are waterproof with rechargeable batteries and adjustable light settings to suit indoor/outdoor conditions.
Packing Cubes: My favorite item in my backpack! Perfect for organizing your shirts, pants, jackets, socks, underwear and more. This 5 Set Packing Cubes makes packing easier and more efficient, adding extra space in your bag for your next trip.
Activated Charcoal Tablets: Want to avoid food poisoning? Most of us have been a victim of travelers diarrhea from eating street food. Organic Activated Charcoal Tablets are fast-acting and will rid your system of the bad bacteria that causes stomach upset.
MY CAMERA GEAR
Everyday Camera: The most affordable mirrorless camera on the market! I personally use the Sony A7ii Mirrorless Camera on all of my adventures. It’s compact, lightweight and super easy to use for all levels of photography. A 28-70mm Sony lens is also included.
Drone Camera: Take your photography to new heights! The DJI Mavic Pro 2 Drone is at the top of the game when it comes to high-quality images and video, easy to control functions and traveler-friendly capabilities. I guarantee you won’t regret purchasing one.
GoPro Hero 8: One of the most popular cameras on the planet! I love using the GoPro Hero 8 for all of my underwater shots and fast-paced adventures. The GoPro Hero 8 captures the best moments with its wide range of functions that are very simple to use!
Camera Bag: My favorite camera bag I have ever owned! The Lowepro Protactic 450 AW II Camera Bag features a waterproof rain cover, drink bottle holder, padded compartments for cameras, drones, lenses, accessories and it also has a laptop pocket.
Selfie Stick: Everyone loves a good selfie, right!? The Sandmarc Metal Edition Selfie Stick is sleek, stylish and can extend to 1.2m. I find it much easier to take photos and videos with the GoPro when it is mounted to the Sandmarc Selfie Stick!
Camera Tripod: The Joby GorillaPod is suitable for all cameras. This tripod is easy to use and perfect for setting up a time-lapse video or even using it as a selfie stick. The legs are flexible so you can wrap it around a tree or a pole to get creative with your shot.
GoPro Dome: Have you ever wanted to capture those under/over water shots with the GoPro? This epic underwater GoPro dome housing is the best camera accessory to have to create the perfect 50/50 shot. I use mine every time I am in the ocean!
Memory Card: The best thing about SanDisk Extreme Pro is that it delivers maximum speed for images and videos. Having 64GB of storage means that you can store hundreds of files on this SD card for 2-3 days and not have to worry about running out of space.
External Hard Drive: As a photographer, my images and video files take up a lot of space on my MacBook so I use the WD Elements External Hard Drive to store everything. With 4TB worth of storage space, this is more than enough for 1 years worth of content.
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MY SHOP
Before you go from this Sai Ngam Hot Springs post, don’t forget to check out My Online Shop!
I’ve got a wide range of digital products for sale and I’m sure you’ll find something that will come in handy during your travels!
SEE MORE → MY SHOP
FINAL THOUGHTS OF SAI NGAM HOT SPRING
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and If you have any questions about Sai Ngam Hot Spring, please drop me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
