There are two ways to visit the hill tribe villages in Pangmapha district which is about 45 Kms north of Pai. The first is to walk through the jungle and the second is to follow the roads in a car. In this area there are Lesu, Lahu, Karen and Lawa villages, as well the local Shan people, some of whom were born here and some of whom migrated into Thailand from Burma.
The Lesu village of Nong Dong is one village that many travellers visit. The Lesu village of Nong Pha Jum, the Red Lahu village of Dong Ma Fai and the Karen village of Mae U – Mong are some others. If you travel by car or truck, there is a 30 kilometre road from Mae La Na to Ban Kham Luang that you can take as a one day trip, leaving in the morning and returning in the evening. This road passes through various villages, including Shan and Black Lahu villages. Every April the Black Lahu celebrate the festival of ‘Gin Waw’, and around the time of Chinese New Year (January) the Red Lahu celebrete New Year.