The Golden Triangle Rider

[Captain_Slash]

The Route 3067, 3383, 3479, 4058, 3395, 3405, 3193, 317, 3299, 3157, 318

Total Distance 305 km

I took the 3067 heading south west out of town, I reach the junction with the 3383 and take the right, later its a left onto the 3479

At its junction with the 3259 the 3479 is often closed, last year I managed to ride part of it. Now the road block has gone and I stay on it but about 200 metres around the first bend the barrier is back. I ride through as no one comes out



Because this road has been out of bounds theres nothing but army checkpoints along here plus this nice greenery



This is a newer good section a few kms on, I ride to the crossroads where the left goes to the border, possibly I could cross here if I wanted to but I have no reason (visas good for another two months)
I stay on for a few more kms then the road is blocked and I am told no further so its a right turn here

This road has no number

A nice view though and this road soon comes to a t junction with the 4058

I turn left onto the 4058



I am riding with these cliffs to my left and right plus fields of tapioca as well



Its a pleasant enough road, I briefly get back on the 3479 along here but its only for about 3 km then I am stopped and sent back to where I entered it. Here the fun starts, its search my panniers time then the questions about where I am going, then one of the bigger fish drives up and goes through the process again. He gets his camera out but then decides he doesnt want my picture after all, oh well his loss not mine. He writes down my name as his superior wanted it, fortunately the Thinknet maps are bilingual and the Khao Ta Ngok Cave is shown along the 3479. When I show them this they are all helpful showing me how to get their by an alternative route as they now realise that I am not an enemy spy or a terrorist. It is pointed out to me that the 3479 is a road for special operations, I am about to point out that a trip report for gt-rider is a special operation and is of national interest but decide against it, so its back to the 4058

Really great scenery around here

At a t junction I turn left onto the 3395 and then at a crossroads its a left onto the 3405, a narrow but fun road

Tapioca everywhere again

I come to a t junction and its a left onto the 3193

For the last hour I think that tapioca is all that I have seen growing as crops around here, must be the main area of the stuff



The 3193 is a great road from end to end, not very old and in very good condition

At the t junction with the 317 I turn left and ride for about 16 km then its a left onto the 3299, the surface is crap to start with, really badly potholed for the first few kms. It gets better and I stop at the Khuean Khiri Than Reservoir for a break, the breeze coming off the water really cools me down

I only saw one other person here today which surprised me with it being a sunday

Now the 3299 really comes into its own, easily the jewel in the crown on todays ride and the best road in this mountain range

A fantastic sight, I remember doing this for the first time 5 years ago on my first Honda Phantom but back then there was just a narrow wooden bridge or maybe only a temporary Baillys bridge and it had to be really slowed down for

This is another one of those roads that anyone out riding this way should try.
I come to the junction with the 3157 and take the left which finally meets the 318, here its a right and on into Trat.
I check in at Pops guesthouse as usual, 120 Baht a night plus hot water for the first time in over three weeks, wow I am being spoiled here.
I go to Joys Pizza for my usual dinner and to my horror its gone, luckily I see her Husband and he says that they have moved out of town and now the pizzas are delivery only but as I am a valued come again customer I can eat at the new shop at its one small table, so the day was saved otherwise it would have had to have been KFC
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[Davidfl]

Slash
Like this report alright - some humour:

[Franz]

Hi Colin, nice report and daring trip, you really want to test the Thai-Cambo border ?????
How's the Phantom doing ?? And how's your new yellow jacket (dirty I guess ) ?? Got enough space in your bags ?? Or are you already remembering your former yellow bavarian tractor ??
Cheers, Franz

[Captain_Slash]

Davidfl

I am saying the Cardomom mountain range

The Ban Laem border is off the 3193 and I will do it for you on the return to Aranyaprathet in a few days time, the Ban Pagkard border is not on my map, I know there is another one not too far from Ban Laem, is this the one? if not directions/location please

Franz

The Phantom is going fine (its a Honda after all) the jacket is getting dirty but the bike is how I like them, covered in shyte. It will get a clean when I return to Chiang Mai in about ten days time. I have throwover panniers that I brought from the UK and these are virtually as big as the Bms were, being fabric you can stretch them a bit. I am not missing the Bm at all Franz, it did the job for three holidays but it didnt get me anywhere that the Phantom cant and I am enjoying the fact that I dont have to return to BKK or CNX every 10000 km for a service
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