Mo Paeng Waterfall

Mo Paeng is a series of cascades over water-smoothed rock a short ride west of Pai, and its reputation rests on the natural slides: the rock in two or three places has been polished by the stream into chutes people sit in and slide down into the pool below. It became a fixture of the Pai backpacker circuit for that reason. The pools are cold and deep enough to swim in, there are flat rocks for sitting, and the whole thing is free with no facilities beyond a couple of drink stalls. The risks are real and unmanaged: the rock is slippery everywhere, not only where it is meant to be, the water level changes the landing depth completely between seasons, and injuries from failed slides - cuts, sprains and worse - happen regularly. There are no lifeguards and no supervision of any kind. Flow is seasonal and by the hot months the slides can be nearly dry.

What you actually see

• The natural slides - polished rock chutes people slide down into pools.
• The pools - cold, and deep enough to swim in during the wet season.
• The free access - no gate, no facilities beyond a drink stall.
• The seasonal flow - strong after the rains, thin by the hot months.

When to go

July to November for the water; the slides need enough flow and depth to be usable at all. Weekdays are quieter than the weekend Pai crowd.

Honest expectations

Unsupervised with no lifeguards, and injuries on the slides are common. Rock is slippery everywhere. Pool depth varies enormously by season, which changes the landing. Nearly dry in the hot season.

Nearby

Pai town is east; Tha Pai hot springs and Pai Canyon are close.