PAI MEMORIAL BRIDGE

what is the pai memorial bridge?

During World War II, the Japanese army wanted to have a route from Chiang Mai to Mae Hong Son to attack Burma which was a colony of the United Kingdom at that time. To establish the route, the bridge was built over the Pai River (Tha-Pai river near Tha Pai village) in 1941 using elephants to drag trees from the jungle and forcing villagers to work. After the war, Japanese soldiers left and burnt down the bridge. However, the villagers were in trouble because the bridge was very important for their daily life, and rebuilt the wooden bridge over the Pai river.

WHERE CAN I FIND the memorial bridge?

Tha Pai Memorial Bridge is located about 9 km from Pai on the road to Chiang Mai, on the way from Chiang Mai to Pai and is on the kilometre marker 88 on highway 1095, Mae Malai-Pai Road.

OUR REVIEW

During our trip to Pai we made it our mission to visit all of the top tourist spots whilst we were there and we will admit, that visiting the Pai Memorial Bridge seemed to be just a tick-box exercise. However, we were pleasantly surprised when we arrived and had quite a lot of fun on the bridge.

We hired a scooter during our trip so decided to ride to the bridge. As we parked up we noticed a few small shops selling trinkets and light snacks (water etc) and then the bridge itself. It was interesting to walk up and down and admire the beautiful views. For a bridge that holds so much history, you can help but notice the small detailings around it.

Once we were ready to leave we spotted a photographer (who nicknamed himself Jack Sparrow due to him looking like Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean) who asked us if we wanted our picture taken for 50 baht a picture (£1). We agreed and he took some great shots of us both and was well worth the money.

Pai Memorial Bridge is also located closely to the Pai Canyon, so whilst you're already this way it's worth killing two birds with one stone.