Boon Ko Ku So Bamboo Bridge

Boon Ko Ku So means merit made together, which describes how the bridge was built: villagers of Ban Pambok and monks from the hillside monastery constructed it from woven bamboo so the monks could cross the rice fields on their alms round without walking through the paddy, in the same tradition as Su Tong Pae near Mae Hong Son. It runs several hundred metres from the road across the fields and up to the monastery, on a woven bamboo surface that flexes and creaks underfoot. It is rebuilt regularly since bamboo does not last more than a season or two, and the small charge or donation goes toward that. The fields below are flooded and green from around August and turn gold before the November harvest, and after that they are stubble. The monastery at the far end is simple and quiet. It has become one of the standard Pai stops and gets busy at weekends.

What you actually see

• The woven bamboo walkway - several hundred metres across the paddy, flexing underfoot.
• The monastery - the hillside temple at the far end of the bridge.
• The alms purpose - built so monks could cross without walking through the fields.
• The paddy seasons - green from August, gold before the November harvest.

When to go

August to November for green and gold fields; outside that the paddy is bare stubble and the bridge crosses mud. Early morning for the alms round and the light.

Honest expectations

Nothing to see outside the growing season. The bamboo flexes and is slippery when wet. A small charge for maintenance. It is a working monastery, so quiet and modest dress apply. Busy at weekends.

Nearby

Pai town is north-west; Pai Canyon and the hot springs are close.