The Land Split — Permanently Closed
Written by Nolo Hub Pai
Updated by the Nolo team, November 2026
tl;dr
The Land Split has been permanently closed to the public since 2020.
- Status
- PERMANENTLY CLOSED TO TOURISTS (Closed in 2020)
- Current Land Use
- Private working farm and personal residence
- Location
- South of Nolo Hub Pai (off Highway 1095 on the road to Pam Bok)
- Original Appeal
- A natural earth fissure/crack run by a local farmer offering hospitality and organic snacks
- Action Needed
- Do not attempt to visit. Respect the owner's privacy and skip to nearby open spots.
Alternative Names
- English
- The Land Split · Pai Land Split
- Thai Script
- แผ่นดินแยก
- Meaning
- Translates literally to "split land" or "fissure," referring to the sudden geological ground collapse across the farm.
⚠️ Important Notice: Permanently Closed
If you've been reading older travel blogs, Reddit threads, or out-of-date guidebooks, you will likely see The Land Split listed as a must-visit roadside stop in Pai.
The Land Split has been permanently closed to the public since 2020.
The site was officially shut down, tourist amenities were removed, and the property reverted to a private working farm and family residence. Google Maps lists it as permanently closed.
- Do not pull into the driveway or walk onto the property.
- Do not climb over gates or attempt to find the fissure on foot.
- Please respect the family's privacy. They no longer host visitors or run a roadside stall.
The Story: How a Farm Fissure Became a Legend
Before it closed, The Land Split was one of the most unusual stories in Pai.
Sometime between 2006 and 2011, the property's owner woke up to find a massive crack ripping straight across his fields. It was several metres wide and up to 11 metres deep in places, and it instantly destroyed his crops and ruined the land for farming.
Instead of walking away, the farmer opened the property to travellers, made a walking trail around the fissure and set up a shaded pavilion.
The Famous Hospitality
The geology was only part of what made the Land Split famous. The farmer's warmth did the rest. There was no entry fee, only a donation box, and every visitor was greeted with a spread of home-grown organic treats:
- Cold, freshly brewed hibiscus (roselle) juice
- Dried banana chips, sweet potatoes, and tamarind
- Fresh peanuts and homemade jams
- Hammocks under the trees to relax in after walking the trail
It became one of the most beloved stops in Pai simply because it felt like visiting a generous local uncle rather than a commercial tourist trap.
What Actually Caused the Split?
Many guidebooks put the fissure down to an earthquake in 2008 and nothing else, but there's more than one theory about what really caused it:
- Seismic Activity: The Pai valley sits directly on an active fault line with a history of regional seismic activity.
- Underground Cave / Tunnel Collapse: Some local accounts suggest the split was caused by heavy rains eroding subterranean limestone channels, causing the topsoil ceiling of an underground water tunnel to collapse.
Whatever the exact trigger, later tremors between 2009 and 2011 widened the gap further, and an agricultural disaster became a stop on Pai's tourist circuit.
Alternative Open Spots Nearby
The Land Split is no longer open, so there's no need to waste a trip down that driveway. It's on the same southern road network as these open spots, though, and you can ride straight past it to reach them:
- Pam Bok Waterfall: Further up the same valley road, a cool chasm waterfall surrounded by high rock walls.
- Boon Ko Ku So (Pai Bamboo Bridge): Continue past Pam Bok to walk the 815-metre woven bamboo walkway over working rice paddies leading to a forest monastery.
Honest Verdict
Who Should Go
- Nobody. The site is permanently closed, fenced, and returned to a private family residence.
What to Do Instead
- Ride straight past to Pam Bok or the Bamboo Bridge. Enjoy the valley ride, but keep moving past the old Land Split turn-off.
Quick answers
Is the Pai Land Split still open?
No. The Land Split has been permanently closed to the public since 2020. It’s a private working farm and family home again, and Google Maps lists it as permanently closed.
Can I still go and see the crack?
Please don’t. The family no longer hosts visitors or runs a roadside stall, so don’t pull into the driveway, walk onto the property or go looking for the fissure on foot.
What caused the Land Split?
There’s more than one theory. Many guidebooks put it down to an earthquake in 2008, and the Pai valley sits on an active fault line. Some local accounts suggest heavy rain wore away channels underground until the roof of an underground water tunnel collapsed. The crack opened sometime between 2006 and 2011, several metres wide and up to 11 metres deep in places, and later tremors widened it.
What can I visit instead of the Land Split?
Pam Bok Waterfall, a cool chasm waterfall further up the same valley road, and the Bamboo Bridge past it, an 815-metre woven bamboo walkway over working rice paddies to a forest monastery. Both are open, and the ride takes you straight past the old Land Split turn-off.
