Rafting on the Pai River is one of the more popular activities for those wanting something more active than a motorbike day trip. Several guesthouses and tour agencies in town run half-day and full-day bamboo rafting trips on the river. The section most commonly used passes through scenic countryside with a mix of gentle stretches and modest rapids, suitable for beginners.
White-water rafting at higher intensity is available on sections further from town, particularly after heavy rains raise the water level in the wet season (July–October). The river flows west from Pai toward Mae Hong Son, and the most dramatic stretches of rapids on the lower Pai River are about an hour's drive from town. Day trips combining rafting with visits to villages or other sights are bookable through any of the tour offices on the main walking street.