mae hong son/pai in 88

[Franz]

Tweet

Guys, some pictures from Mae Hong Son and Pai in 1988.
Well some of us will remember that during these years there were only 2-3 flights from CNX to MHS. All in ATR 72's and BAE146 airplane (a STOL: short take off and landing) plane as at that time the runway was still too short for bigger jets. In the evenings we often went onto the runway for some motorbike racing. There's lots of paths crossing and it is not only used by bikes, as everyone can see also baby-buggies, pushcarts and buffalos. Was there a flight to be expected, you could easily see it making its final approach and a guy on a Dream making his rounds with a risen red flag. Once the plane was at the terminal, he did one more round with a green flag.

Mode of transport for me at that time were either a hired Honda Dream 100cc or a MTX125 which was a real good one in burning tires:


Pai at that time was still a small silent village with only a small bunch of backpackers hanging out somewhere on the main road. Just driove through it end of July and didn't recognize any of it.

I enjoyed it a lot..........also liked to go to Phayao and the famous Wat Aranyo, by that time roads were still very much free of Traffic, just a little smaller and less paved than today.

Good sometimes to look at older pictures, makes you immediately want to go there again but not on a Wave anymore......

[Dougal]

Tweet

Great pics Franz.

Don't tell me that good looking young fella riding through the stream is you??!!!

[Davidfl]

Tweet

Franz
Good stuff & thanks for contributing these.
I recall in the old days in the MHS airport terminal that the aircraft landing notes to use warn pilots of people / livestock / vehicles on the runway!

You're right when I see some of my oldies I get reminded of those good times & often want to go back.

The last few years it seems to me as if "we've" been concentrating on the new frontiers & neglecting some of the great stuff right in our own back yard.

Rhodie & Joe & Silverhawk's recce trip out to Sop Kai is one & it was great to be reminded by Joe & Rhodie that this used to be a favourite off-road day trip 12+ years ago; when there were no concrete bridges across the Mae Taeng, but only narrow swinging suspension bridges.

I’ve got thousands of old pics to scan & put up, to bring the memories flooding back & remind the new guys of how great it was & is / has been for 20+ years.

If anyone else has old photos from 15+ years ago, please stick em, up with some comments. I think that they are all appreciated.

[Franz]

Tweet

Peter, yes, hmmmmm was that slim guy in pink-blue-yellow-grey really me ? Should have had a weight of 50% of the current one I guess.....Ah and the white thing in the frontbasket of the Dream, no it wasn't a helmet but some goodies, yes and on my feet were some Thai made PVC slippers.......like the elder guys today in some beachresorts.........

David, thanks, more to come up from India. Anyway, Mae Hong Son is still one of the best & most quiet places in LOS. I just remember Pai to MHS on a dirt track, that's what the MTX was for, had to drive that one on a weekly basis. Nighttime was by then a no-no for fear of burmese insurgents.....things have changed a lot but nor so in MHS, or at least on a slower pace........

[Jurgen]

Tweet

Hey Franz, trying to get some feelings from the past (must be the age, when this is the only future left ), I ramble across GTR "oldies" posts and of course loved your MHS pics. I will also post some if I can localize them. I have scanned quite a lot this Summer but ... Anyway it's great to see what other have already posted!