Yaraboy that Thapai Spa Camping looks strange. Maybe the pictures were taken when it was brand new, the garden is desolate. Whats that hump in the middle with a weird looking pool is that the hot spring? Is the hot spring water fresh or salty because its in all the showers ?
There are many gay backpackers in Pai they are just young and yes backpackers, a lot are not yet sure of being gay at this age, or don't need the sex industry for excitement. When I was there there was a fantastic music festival on the river, many naked bodies playing in the water,mine included. It was also hot hot hot, weather wise.
There is a small elephant camp near by and the mahouts are woman, I liked this, they appear to be much more gentle with the animals than those men with their little pricks and big sticks. The elephants seem more relaxed and spontaneous. A bit tricky if you dont know elephats well, so dont expect to make much casual contact,unless you stay there a long time. They brought the elephants to the party and they were enjoying the water hugely. Accommodation at the elephant camp looks very basic but most who stay there are very into elephants and tend to be very sensitive souls, I would recommend.
Accommodation in Pai is a bit limited to very reasonable reed hut type hotels, nice enough but I like swimming pools and gardens and good food etc. A little more pampering or whatever. Though these are better than the large tour bus hotels if there is no other choice.