Scenic ride Chiang Mai to Bkk

pee

0
Mar 10, 2006
211
3
18
Not really a trip report... I don't use GPS and I only keep track of kilometers between stops at petrol stations, a frequent operation with a stock DRZ tank.
Just a few pictures to give an idea how some nice roads were looking at the beginning of may.
Chiang Mai to Mae Sariang: road 108. Nice after Hot. Although I got rain and didn't take pictures.
In Mae Sariang I tried Riverhouse Hotel (500 to 700 Bahts for a river view). This wooden house looks nice (good parking for the bike accross the road) and is nicely done... But wood carries noise and one doesn't get much intimacy.
From Mae Sariang to Mae Ramat, one of my favorites road in Thailand: road 105.Surface varies from perfect to patchy.
105.jpg


105Pamontheright.jpg

Petrol is available just on the right handside where the dirt road starts.

105worstpart.jpg


Maybe it's a good idea to enjoy this road pretty soon: renovation is on the way.
105renovationontheway.jpg


Then, about 30 kms before Mae Sot, turn left onto the 1175 going to Tak. It's sign posted and easy to spot. If you reach a big PTT petrol station on the right hand side, you 've gone to far. PTT is about 2 kms after the turn off. The 1175 is a replica of the 105 at his best. Again I did the first part in the fog. So no picture before going down to the Mae Nam Ping valley.
1175beginningtoseethelight.jpg

I will never ride to Tak on another road. The 30 kms on the 105 before Mae Sot are boring(after Mae Ramat. The 80 kms between Mae Sot and Tak could be nice(scenary wise). The road design is interesting(long and fast curbs) although on this stretch the 105 is way too wide for my liking . More than anything else traffic is a real turn of: trucks going too fast or too slow, etc.
Moreover it's nice to reach Tak with the 1007 that makes a T junction at the end of road 1175.
1175Twith1107.jpg


On the 1007 one can't ride fast. You go through villages that seem to lay happily along the Mae Nam Ping. I was looking for a bungalow type resort on this strech... Couldn't spot any. So ended up downtown Tak in Vieng Tak Hotel (350 Bahts)... Not too bad although air con only and impossible to switch it off. There is another hotel under the same name but closer to the river, it might worth a try next time.

Next morning back to Bkk. I tried to stick to the river and found road 3005 until Wang Chao:
3005TakWangChao.jpg


Then no alternative: highway 1 to Kamphaen Phet. There one can choose the 1084 to Khanu Waralaksaburi and Nakhon Sawan.
From there about 50 kms on the boring highway 32 before turning on road 1 to Chainat. Then 311 along Mae Chao Praya through Singburi, Aing Thong. And 309 to Ayutthaya. There a nap amongst historical remains. Getting some rest before hitting the Big Mango on highway 32... Not much point trying to find an alternative way, I thought. It's already the suburd of Bkk... Better get it done quickly... I might be wrong. There might be a nice way to cover the last strech. If anyone knows...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Moor66
Oct 17, 2006
603
0
0
Eric, I share your enthusiasm for Route 105, it is romantic beauty in part pure gravel , steep curves and loneliness, hardly any traffic, no tourist bus can go there. Sights of Burmese refugee camps seem to be from another world. Or the young handsome teacher and his young kids in school uniform making a friendly road block asking for donations to repair the roof of the school. It makes your heart bleeding, you want to shower them with money.
And you are right, it wont last long, they are upgrading road 105 from Mae Sot.
I also enjoyed the 105 from Mae Sot to Tak, different.

Going some 30km from Mae Sariang direction Mae Hong Sot, I found the dead end road 1263 strangely beautiful. It goes up and up. One Thai side the mountains are completely barren, no tree left, eerie, while the Burmes side in the distance is lush, lush green, no sight of any . Makes you dream of paradise, another dream unfulfilled.

SukhoThai I found more gripping than Ayutthaya. More tranquil, less people,
Of the many Wats, Wat Sri Chum let me emotionally experience the peacefulness the most.

Unplanned on small roads only ( 1074 / 1073 etc) we moved South again. GPS is switched on, but more as a souvenir tool. I make my wife every single morning and after every single stop absolutely crazy.
Her question = where are we going???? Answer= dont know.
My prayer is always that no sudden movement of bowels comes in my way, I must have a Western toilet.

One observation= when have you seen a new church being built in Europe?? On my trip I saw dozens of new and big temples under construction. What does this tell us?

Accomodations
Mae Sariang = Riverside Resort, 1400 b , nice , clean room, on the Yuam River
Mae Sot = Central Hotel ( expensive, neither nice nor clean), did have the nerves to search, too late, too tired.
Sukhothai Guest House, very nice, pool, 600 b
NakhonSawan Royal Resort, very nice clean generous business style rooms, 600b only, excellent restaurant, Thai clientele only.

Pico
 

pee

0
Mar 10, 2006
211
3
18
"One observation= when have you seen a new church being built in Europe?? On my trip I saw dozens of new and big temples under construction. What does this tell us?"

Faith is a driving force around here... Does it fulfill people needs?
In Australia I have seen huge temples being built. They were the masterpieces of famous architects... Well, to be accurate they call them "casinos" actually. Does it full fill people needs?
I have got no definite answer Pico...Interested to hear your perspective on the matter...
Cheers,
 

Auke

0
Nov 10, 2003
665
2
0
Next morning back to Bkk. I tried to stick to the river and found road 3005 until Wang Chao: ----Then no alternative: highway 1 to Kamphaen Phet.

An alternative: Just before Wang Chao but still on the east side of the Ping River in Ban Nam Duan take road 3002 - this road will bring you to Kampheang Phet all along the river - nice road although a bit bumpy here and there and lots of small villages