Tipsy Tubing in Pai, Thailand: Everything You Need to Know

Tipsy tubing in Pai is the ultimate daytime activity filled with boozy fun. Think loads of backpackers floating down a river enjoying cold alcoholic beverages in the Thai countryside.

It really is a unique activity, making it a special experience in northern Thailand. However, this isn’t the first time river tubing has taken place, many countries all over the world have held events for river tubing. Including places such as the United States and Laos!

Nonetheless, Pai has it’s own unique charm to it as floaters get to enjoy the stunning Thai countryside. What more could you want out of some daytime fun!?

Continue reading my guide for everything you need to know before getting in on this river tubing activity!

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Tipsy Tubing in Pai

What is Tipsy Tubing?

Tipsy Tubing is an activity where you plop yourself into a donut-shaped tube and float down a river while drinking alcohol. It’s a very relaxed activity, and an excellent way to escape the heat of northern Thailand.

Imagine this, hundreds of young backpackers, dropped alongside a river in the Thai countryside ready to jump in the river and float down it while sipping on booze.

Not to mention, it’s a great way to meet people as you will constantly bump into strangers. So, if you thought you were sticking with your friends the entire time, forget it! You’re bound to drift away from them and lose them in the chaos of the tubes! However, this is the fun of it, everyones lost their friends and you’ll just bounce into some new.

I highly recommend taking part in the tipsy tubing happenings as it’s a cheap and fun-filled activity and the best way to make new friends. Besides, it’s kind of one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to enjoy. When will you really get the chance to do this again?

A Breakdown of the Day

To give you an idea of how the day goes, I’m going to give you a rough breakdown of how it all works. Firstly, you will need to sign up at your hostel the day before or the day of the tubing event. Moreover, this gives the organisers a rough number of how many people they need to prepare for.

Then, a member of staff from your hostel will take you through how the day will run. Then, you will have some time to get prepared. I advise reading below my tips on things to bring and how to get yourself organised so that you’re ultra-prepared!

At roughly midday, you will load into the taxi and head to the first spot which is a convenience store. This is your chance to load up on some drinks. After this, you’ll be taken to the beginning location of the river.

A quick debrief will go down, some photos will be taken, and then you’ll jump into your tubes. Once everyone is on their tubes, they will be released, and you will float down the river. Keep in mind, it’s not all smooth sailing, and you’re going to end up on the bank of the river, or bumping into the sides. And, you might, unfortunately, land yourself in some bushes or twigs, remember, this is all part of it!

After a 20-minute ride, you’ll jump off and head up to the bank of the river for the halfway party. This is a great spot to cover yourself in body paints, play some drinking games, dance to the live DJ music, grab some barbequed food and socialise.

Finally, for the last bit of the trip, you’ll jump back on your tube after partying for around a couple of hours, and float back down the river. From there, you’ll jump back into your taxi and return to your hostel.

When Does Tipsy Tubing Run?

Tipsy tubing is a daytime activity that typically runs on Tuesdays and Fridays. However, the days can change frequently depending on high and low seasons and weather forecasts. The best way to stay updated is to check in with your hostel!

Note: Tipsy tubing will be cancelled when the river is high, flooding has occurred or a big storm is passing through. It is simply too dangerous to have hundreds of people float down a river during these conditions and it’s best to keep everyone safe.

How Do I Take Part in Tipsy Tubing?

Most of the hostels in Pai will have connections to the event and will let you know when tipsy tubing is running. Hostels like Nolo Hub and Circus will be able to advise you of the times and dates and get you signed up for the event.

In terms of pricing, it costs around 300 Thai Baht to take part in the river tubing event. Moreover, this includes transport to and from the river from your hostel, tube hire and the halfway party.

Simply sign up at your hostel, pay the fee and get ready for some fun in the sun!

Where is Pai?

Pai is a small country town with ultra-hippy vibes in the northern region of Thailand. Moreover, it’s about a 4-hour drive from Chiang Mai with a total of 762 turns to reach this little gem in the mountains.

Pai is a part of the Mae Hong Son Province and is easily one of the most beautiful places in Thailand.

Where to Stay In Pai

There are a few places you can stay in Pai, but I highly recommend Nolo Hub. This hostel offers loads of social activities and it’s one of the best hostels I’ve visited.

Feel free to check out my review below for everything you need to know about staying at Nolo Hub.

Tip: Try booking at least a couple of weeks in advance as dorm rooms are constantly sold out!
Read more: Nolo Hub Pai: Thailands Best Hostel

Everything You Need to Know Before Going Tipsy Tubing

Getting yourself organised before tipsy tubing is absolutely crucial so that you can enjoy a relaxing and fun-filled day on the tubes.

Firstly, I highly recommend that you lather yourself with sunscreen to avoid getting burnt in the sun. Keep in mind, you’re going to be in the sun for at least 3-4 hours, so you really need some sun protection!

Secondly, wear your bathers, swimmers, togs, bikinis, boardies, whatever you feel most comfortable swimming in. At some point, you are bound to fall into the river, so you are going to get soaked!

Thirdly, you can only take a few items, and if you drop something in the river, it’s gone! So pack wisely, and only take a few things with you. Many people have lost their phones, shoes and other items in the river.

Another tip of mine is to bring alcohol that has a screw top. Typically, sojus are a good idea as it reduces the chances of getting river water inside. You do not want the water getting into your drink otherwise you may get sick!

What to Bring

The beauty of tipsy tubing in Pai is that you really don’t need much for this fun day out. However, there are a few bits that you’ll need to get sorted, and these are some of my recommendations.

Small dry bag to hold belongings (I’ve linked one below)
Waterproof phone pouch with a strap
Hat (If you would like to keep the sun off your face)
Money (Cash only)
Alcoholic beverages (These will be purchased on the way to the starting point)
A small bottle of water (You will be spending a lot of time in the sun, so a bottle of water is great for hydrating)

Remember, less is best! The less stuff you have to worry about, the better. So keep your stuff to a minimum to have fewer worries!

This dry bag from Amazon is excellent as it comes in a range of colours and sizes and is perfect for keeping your stuff dry. Plus, the strap is ultra handy to hold onto or to attach to something. I couldn’t recommend bringing a dry bag enough! It’s an essential item!

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, the tipsy tubing activity is one of the best days out in Pai and is filled with boozy fun. So, if you are spending any time in Pai, I highly recommend joining in on this activity for some fun in the sun.

Not to mention, you’ll meet loads of other travellers and make heaps of friends while floating down the river.

Stay safe and have fun!