chrissables

My plan today was to take a look at a reservoir near to Loei. Huai Nam Man Reservoir. https://maps.app.goo.gl/7WwbvacGcWrYtJJ97 The barrier was down to stop you riding along the dam but I bypassed it and continued over a small steel bridge onto a narrow concrete path that followed the edge of the dam.. It was overgrown with bamboo in places. After the second bridge it got increasingly difficult ducking under the fallen bamboo and a few times I had to walk the bike through but unfortunately i came to fallen bamboo which put a stop to my exploring here. https://maps.app.goo.gl/NkNNDcDhhFLfEwCc9 After returning I rode to Harirak Forest Park around the reservoir. https://maps.app.goo.gl/2ghgLjjEQD895CFR6 There was what looked like a nice camping area there. I then rode on to a viewpoint overlooking Huai Krathing Reservoir. https://maps.app.goo.gl/BaUQ1H2nHbFC9KFA6 I then rode north before looping back to Loei, another fun ride. https://www.relive.cc/view/vKv2YBWYX4q

Well i ride every day, rarely at night. But everywhere from cities to the most rural of places.

I was reply to this....... "Too many foreigner's don't take the dangers of Thailand seriously." "Drive through Thong Lor area in BKK and watch expats walk side by side on small soi's" The rider of the motorbike was riding safely and its a terrible thing they got killed. It was not there fault though. I ride every day and have toured the whole of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and a lot of Lao, so i do have experience riding here, a lot more than you i suggest. Telling people to not ride is a pitiful response. How do you travel here?

Today I headed towards Phu Ruea then headed north from this point. https://maps.app.goo.gl/b9UM9Dg83boxN8bn9 This is a small and sometimes steep road that eventually comes out onto R2195 here, near the Lao border. Where I rode back to Loei. https://maps.app.goo.gl/5NwYh6SLyFtMPXme8 A ride with some very good views. https://maps.app.goo.gl/b9UM9Dg83boxN8bn9 https://www.relive.cc/view/vJOKZke55wv

I have toured Vietnam, three times for months on my motorbike, no issues at all once outside main cities.

But this couple were riding in the correct lane at the correct speed, the car drive is to blame.

Today I headed south and then west of Loei. My first stop was at Pha Bao Pha Sao Arts and Crafts Center. https://maps.app.goo.gl/uWXXiqxd8PpE2dyJ7 Which had some nice views across the valley. Next I stopped at Nam Ban Ban Khu Reservoir for some shots. From here I was going to make a big loop back to Loei, but after reaching this point, https://maps.app.goo.gl/TybpMHdUrdpNoVUo9 which was steep first gear riding I did not want to carry on alone so I took Google’s faster option, but again I decided to turn back here at a school. https://maps.app.goo.gl/vMWRLH8AEYwkFps26 Not because it was difficult, but I was heading up into Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary and though I would be tied up for hours there. Both of the dead ends show I was near the end of the tracks on Gaia maps for some reason. https://www.relive.cc/view/v8qVQDAVG36

Day 21. 23.11.23 Nong Khai to Loei. Today was a nice ride from Nong Khai to Loei by an indirect route. My first stop was when I saw a new temple being built on a hill and lots of Stainless steel fencing surrounding. Riding to the top all there was concrete pilings. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fnz5wcC7DYMvL6Cw7 Next stop was a temple on the side of a mountain. Wat Pa Phu Kon. https://maps.app.goo.gl/hEo5MSbvAy6CF8Qk9 Its worth a ride up, the nice looking building and good views over the countryside. On my ride through the mountains I saw a lady pushing her motorbike up a hill and turned back to ask why, luckily she was only out of fuel, so I gave her what I keep as spare before continuing to Loei. 229km ride today. https://www.relive.cc/view/v8qVQDQyj76

Day 20. 22.11.23 Nong Khai exploring east. My ride today was east of Nong Khai, following the Mekong before looping south and back. There were some nice views of of the Mekong this morning. After heading south to the bridge over Huai Luang. https://maps.app.goo.gl/mZi6qsyyCtzP7Fnr6 I arrived on on small roads and farmer tracks most of the way back to Nong Khai which was fun! My next stop was Nam Phan Rafting at Phan reservoir. https://maps.app.goo.gl/VwnPPo6qqiPNfHzRA I then rode around the reservoir to the other side. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Q5xfv3JHQPpV9iJj7 Onto Dong Phet Couple. https://maps.app.goo.gl/LagNHCV8f6Y3tB8s6 The access was blocked to the reservoir for some reason. So I carried on to Jumjim Kingkaew https://maps.app.goo.gl/CPpXL4tHtajvveVEA From here it was a short ride into Nong Khai. https://www.relive.cc/view/vAOZn3ByEyO

Now at day 19 of my ride I stayed local to Nong Khai city, The first stop was Wiang Khuk Ruins, which has two old temples in the grounds, it was very quiet there in a jungle situation. https://maps.app.goo.gl/9C1XGL3c6T695PsR9 Next I went to the temple from yesterday to take another photo of the information board. Phrathat Ya Pho Kae https://maps.app.goo.gl/FoUEEUTwpFjUQRi5A From here I rode a short way to the Mekong River sand banks to take a few shots. https://maps.app.goo.gl/avqe4ociPrThiWjE8 Looping around I rode back past one of the temples to go look at Wang Bua Daeng. https://maps.app.goo.gl/QizzXk1saQX5Zqhv7 Then onto another temple Wat Phrathat Phonjik Wiang Giew https://maps.app.goo.gl/nNEgviZMowMYaEV7A Then through some small tracks and back to Nong Khai. https://www.relive.cc/view/vdORQLpXPrv

Day 18. 20.11.23. Chaiyaphum to Nong Khai Today I left Chaiyaphum to ride to Nong Khai, a 300 + km ride. Near Nong Khai I came across another ancient temple. Phrathat Ya Pho Kae, which was a surprise at the side of the road. https://maps.app.goo.gl/T6zpxGkWYvxa4TV59 https://www.relive.cc/view/v8qVQkg9d36

Day 17. 19.11.23 Today’s plan was to visit a viewpoint in Sai Thong National Park, but the 10 fold cost for a westerner just for a photo made me turn around. I found a track and followed that until it turned back to paved road. I then rode to Ku Daeng, a Khmer Temple and returned back to Chaiyaphum. https://maps.app.goo.gl/rY8KWE4gRhqGNoEd6 Mostly boring straight main road riding unfortunately. https://www.relive.cc/view/vYvrVGE5xxv

Day 16. 18.11.23 Today I rode north of Chaiyaphum to the mountains. I got shouted at the entrance to Pha Hua Nak Viewpoint, for not stopping then the fee shouted at again, so I did a U-turn. Just down the road there is Khlong Chang Stone Group where I took a few photos. https://maps.app.goo.gl/y9ux6nrHkFvCEivX9 Further on another group of stones called Mon Hin Khao was my next stop. https://maps.app.goo.gl/YrTffuzRpNBBwNjRA I then continued to Sap Si Thong to explore some farmers tracks through the rubber tree plantations and pineapple fields. https://maps.app.goo.gl/ELonT539wQWLy6D16 Next was a ride to Lampathao Dam. https://maps.app.goo.gl/w3XbtCFNBPbRpmu69 My last stop was Huai Hang Lampathao Dam, which was not really worth a visit. https://maps.app.goo.gl/koxDUPWcbGUNdQjg8 https://www.relive.cc/view/vYvrVGYyExv

Day 15. 17.11.23 Today I rode from Ban Kruat to Chaiyaphum City. 244km Turning west after Prakhon Chai until Bua Yai was all small and quiet roads, beside the strong winds blasting me. After Bua Yai, the road works were a pain and road rage encountered, which I could have done without. https://www.relive.cc/view/vKv2YenxW4q

Day 14. 15.11.23 Ban Kruat green laning and Prasat hunting. Today’s ride I enjoyed quite a lot of green laning while searching for Khmer ruins. The first was Prasat Baibaek, which I have visited before, but there are a lot of farmers tracks to ride in this area to make it worthwhile another visit. https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZqK8uFeN2MZWy2TF7 Continuing on my next stop at Prasat Lalomthom, which was new to me. https://maps.app.goo.gl/9YRHfUE997Ry8M3j7 Next was Khok Prasat. Both of these were in need of restoration. https://maps.app.goo.gl/QtKSNKdyY3gayGYQ9 https://www.relive.cc/view/vDqgKEDX7Gq

My aim today was to re-visit two Khmer Temples I had visited before, but to ride all the way up to them. Prasats Khao Plai Bad 1 & 2 No: 1. https://maps.app.goo.gl/FwtQhkZiQaaCwW9e7 No: 2. https://maps.app.goo.gl/DRXCoKBeoPFfaMsr9 Number two, follow Google maps to here. https://maps.app.goo.gl/53jd2pkXAUJSVssR9 Which is a part built temple. Head east up the track to the temple. https://maps.app.goo.gl/z6VE2AgZ1u1u6F1m6 Number 1. If wanting to walk up you ride to Wat Plai Bad and its about a 20 minute hike up. https://maps.app.goo.gl/z6VE2AgZ1u1u6F1m6 To ride up the track you head for here first. The tracks are not on maps. https://maps.app.goo.gl/GfmjxxV5aKva9vij6 Then north here. https://maps.app.goo.gl/jZnpafvAS1XcMYiH9 Follow the track to here. https://maps.app.goo.gl/ggEVnYgZoUQKiZc56 And then continue to the top. This took some finding and the locals I asked wanted to send me the walking way, but its impossible to ride up that way. https://www.relive.cc/view/v36AxBBZ9ZO

I have not seen any which is surprising.

Today I left early to explore some tracks west of Ban Kruat. My first goal was Wat Pha Khun Khao Pinit. There was a lot of sandy tracks and U turns finding it. https://maps.app.goo.gl/NgFowVhHTxcn722Z6 There is a viewpoint there overlooking the countryside below. https://maps.app.goo.gl/8cCp3SKtxeh4fM7f7 From here I was riding to Phathia Reservoir. https://maps.app.goo.gl/oxcU7PhMR4zHw8f97 There was a lot of back tracking to get there, nice riding and some not nice riding. I did find a lone tree at a dead end which was photogenic and a tree house that needs upgrading. After a few photos at the reservoir an easy ride to my hotel. Another good ride. https://www.relive.cc/view/v8qVQPxo836

It's an easy ride but a busy road. I have ridden it on my PCX and CT125 many times. Look at google maps and take country roads, it will take longer but nice countryside. A suggestion https://maps.app.goo.gl/yabn1hkTd27JzxVx6

Today was an easy ride down to Ban Kruat near the Cambodian border, I rode some small side roads on the way through the countryside. I found this small wooden bridge by accident, it seems there are some nice farmer tracks the other side. https://maps.app.goo.gl/BcMeM3RqNiKMbaTC7 https://www.relive.cc/view/vevYQ4EKJyv

Its just outside of the city, if in the area worth a visit. You stop by the suspension bridge and walk around before going to the top viewpoint.

My first place to visit today was the extinct volcano, Kradong Volcano just outside Buriram City. https://maps.app.goo.gl/6SFTgcKwWd3jYcFt5 From here I made my way to an old temple, Prasat Prang Buhip, unfortunately the track was flooded and I turned back. https://maps.app.goo.gl/tph4ic1cuRBrk26b7 I then rode to the reservoir Huai Chorakhe Mak. https://maps.app.goo.gl/HcTb2ixL5wy5dH6RA Next I rode onto Huai Talat before returning to Buriram. https://maps.app.goo.gl/kNQTLHxLS3ujy4ZYA https://www.relive.cc/view/vZqNLe8NW3O

Today I revisited the old temple area from yesterday and went to Mueang Sema Historical Site. https://maps.app.goo.gl/2mL6ikCTTRcnqsCp7 The ride there was interesting as I tried to take some tracks there where possible. But they were very slippery and I decided to find another route. From the Historical site I rode onto Lam Sam Lai Reservoir before looping back to Korat. https://maps.app.goo.gl/fcrsSvEzvT3eUKj48 https://www.relive.cc/view/v8qkp1dQ23v

Today I rode to see some old temples before riding south through some jungle to see the Sri Suk Samran Phatthana Bridge, then looping back to Korat. https://maps.app.goo.gl/tsCn4PEKVnwEPWcW9 The first temple was Muang Sema. https://maps.app.goo.gl/CjZVkTxahYHcgFLu7 I should have looked around more as I missed a few temples in the area. The second temple was Prasat Muang Khaek https://maps.app.goo.gl/6kBUxLKPnoS5jsY17 The last temple was Prasat Mon Ku https://maps.app.goo.gl/LPv7b8AKWpo6zmsH7 Another good days riding.

Original setup