The Golden Triangle Rider

Captain_Slash · Posted: 28.01.2008, 18:44 Post subject: Mae Sot-Umphang

It was straight down the 1090 today, it was raining here in Mae Sot and I delayed my departure until it looked a bit brighter but it rained on and off for most of the way

The road is being widened for quite a way but apart from this short bit its a decent surface all the way

I was looking forward to taking loads of photos today but the visibility was shit because of the weather

But a decent road all the same and not enough rain to really get me or the road wet

This is much more like it

I dont see Umphang written about much on this site, its worth visiting just for the ride alone

About halfway there I pass this place, the sign says temporary shelter, there are hundreds of homes here, I will look in on my return

This is one long twisty road, all 164 km of it

Its real bad visibility now, hopefully when I return to Mae Sot it will be better and I can get lots of photos then

A fun ride this one but anyone coming down here dont ever try it on a weekend, the place will be jam packed with Thai tourists and you will struggle to find a room. I have the whole resort to myself today, only a few staff working here for company
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beddhist · Posted: 29.01.2008, 17:08 Post subject:

Looks very nice. Just bought a new Berndtson Map of Thailand and it shows a highway running East from Udomxai. Can you confirm whether or not it exists, as I have been told that this was one of Thaksin's projects that was never started.

Cheers,
Peter, heading your way shortly.
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Stopped in Mae Sot on the road home to NZ: http://beddhist.googlepages.com

Captain_Slash · Posted: 29.01.2008, 19:04 Post subject:

As I dont know where Udomxai is I cant comment
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If Typhoo Put The T In Britain Who Put The C_unt In Scunthorpe

beddhist · Posted: 30.01.2008, 19:55 Post subject:

Sorry, my mistake: I meant Umphang, of course. My brain was in neutral...
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Stopped in Mae Sot on the road home to NZ: http://beddhist.googlepages.com

Captain_Slash · Posted: 30.01.2008, 20:35 Post subject:

I think (and I hope) that it was shelved because it would run through some protected areas. If they make Umphang more accessible other than from Mae Sot it wont be the quiet weekday retreat that it is now
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If Typhoo Put The T In Britain Who Put The C_unt In Scunthorpe

Auke · Posted: 31.01.2008, 06:27 Post subject:

Yes, the famous/infamous Rd 1117 which is shown on some maps linking Khlong Lan with Umphang but in reality was abandoned about 33 km. east from Umphang. The following is an article from the Bangkok Post of 19 March 2002 which sheds some light on the history of this road.

Surayud orders road project discontinued - Army does not want to destroy forest

by Wassana Nanuam

After a weekend survey led by the army chief, it has been decided not to build a security road linking Kamphaeng Phet's Khlong Lan to Tak's Umphang, to protect the environment. Army commander-in-chief Gen Surayud Chulanont spent three days and two nights from Friday until noon Sunday trekking 35km across Tanaosri Range's 10 mountains and more than 90 rivers.

The National Security Council and Forestry Department asked the army if construction of the unfinished Khlong Lan-Umphang security route should be resumed.

Gen Surayud said the army would not support extension of the route, which was not useful for military operations because the road was up to 50km away from the border. Under the current policy, security roads must be no farther than 2-3km from the border. "If we allow the construction of another 33km section of this road, we will lose abundant forests and a lot of rare wild animals". "It's not worth losing forests and wildlife habitat even though it would make travel to Umphang more convenient and support the development of Tak". "The army is against the construction. All forests disappear wherever roads are cut,'' he said.

The project began in 1985 and was suspended in 1987 after completion of a 115km section, since the army saw no security benefit and did not want to see deforestation.

It was reported the Naresuan task force's 12-member patrol team was sent beforehand to ensure safety for Gen Surayud, who was the first army chief to survey the route. Despite no trace of drug smuggling found along this route during this trip, the army chief ordered routine patrolling by the Naresuan task force to combat drug trafficking.

"I envy the villagers here who live among pristine nature. Please help protect this. Do not cut down trees and, more importantly, do not fall prey to drug gangs,'' Gen Surayud told Karen villagers at Umphang Kee village in Tak during his trek. Umphang Kee is a self-defence and drug-free village under the army's "strong community project''.

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Captain_Slash · Posted: 31.01.2008, 20:36 Post subject:

I sincerely hope it never gets restarted but unfortunately Thai people with a genuine concern for the environment like General Surayud are in the minority
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If Typhoo Put The T In Britain Who Put The C_unt In Scunthorpe

beddhist · Posted: 20.02.2008, 22:59 Post subject:

When I was in Umphang a few days ago I went to have a look and I can confirm that there is nothing resembling even a track in the vicinity. On Google Earth you can clearly see the track they have cut from the East.

Thanks for the info.
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Stopped in Mae Sot on the road home to NZ: http://beddhist.googlepages.com