Reposting an old thread from 2009 that I can now see went missing in a forum software changeover. 9.11.2009 Indeed one of Chiang Mai’s best “secrets” : The Pong Kwao Hot Springs Took a run out to Pong Khwao today (9.11.2009) with James from Citylife magazine. We went the “back way” via Mae Khi – Mae Pa – Pong Khwao & returned Pong Khwao – Mae Pa – Ban Pok – Samoeng – “Hang Dong” – the canal road / home to Cnx. En route you have to stop at the old treasure house Coffee House by Hmong Lodge. {} {} {} {} {} {} {} The way Mae Khi – Mae Pa {} Blue sky & puffy whites {} {} The Pong Khwao Hot Springs grounds {} {} {} {} And true to Pong Khwao form it was a full house {} of empty chairs = we were the only customers! But at least the Mayflower was in {} Need a hot bath {} the way to go Pick a hut {} Or pick a tub {} {} {} If there’s no one around it might not be easy to get much food out of the kitchen; James & I were hungry but were well satisfied with a double serving of fried mama noodles & pork. Yum Yum. Basic but delicious. Riding back to Samoeng from Mae Pa was a westward journey – into the setting sun; so my hot tip is do what we did in reverse. Take the south route from Chiang Mai to Samoeng, and then ride Samoeng – Ban Pok – Mae Pa – Pong Khwao. Return Pong Khwao – Mae Pa – Mae Khi – Mae Rim – Chiang Mai. Note too that Mae Khi – Mae Pa is now all asphalt, as is Mae Pa – Samoeng; but there is still some dirt on the Tung Ting – Samoeng sector. This little day trip is a perfect Honda Dream / D-Tracker ride with lovely winding steep narrow rural back roads. Check it out soon while it is still all green!
