New Mae Sa Valley Map...!

[chanchao]

Nah, kidding, this is a great map. I was really in doubt if I should get the Mae Hong Son Loop map or this one (as it also covers Mae Sa but with less detail obviously) but in the end I went for the Mae Sa Map; realistically this is the area where the most of my day trips will take place, so I went for optimum detail.

I REALLY LIKE THIS MAP!!

So far haven't found any mistakes either.. But I do have already two preliminary suggestions for future editions:

* On the road to Doi Suthep, it would be nice to also include the Bang Bua Ban and Pha Ngoeb streams/waterfalls/rocky outcrop there. These are popular picnic spots with locals, because they're free, unlike the bigger Montrathan Falls. Actually, when stopping at all these places, and the temple, and further up past the temple, then you can easily turn a simple 'Doi Suthep trip' into a day trip.

* Optional: on the Road past Phuphing palace, after the fork where the left (Straight) road leads down to the Doi Pui Hmong souvenir market village so where you would turn right towards that San Ku temple ruin, then ther's somewhat of a viewpoint on the left. Just a dirt area, but big enough to stretch your legs and look at the view. You can see the souvenir village down from there. You could include that as a viewpoint. (Not sure if it qualifies)

* What's with all the 'bicycle trails'.. Now you lose the distinction between a 'rough off road dirt track' and 'a true bicycle trail'. SOME of the bicycle trails are for sure very motorable even with a car/truck, for example the road from Chang Khian down to Huay Tueng Thao lake. Or Doi Kham temple to Ban Pong; That's far more than a bicycle trail. So my point is that you lose detail, you don't know anymore if it's truly bicycle-only, or if it's motorable and then to what degree.

* You could list walking trails too. There's a trail that goes up from the end of Suthep road, off the road that goes to the back entrance of the zoo. And a path going down off the main road to some monk's/hermit camp-site. I think this is just after Doi Suthep temple, but before getting to Phu Ping palace. (not sure). Finally, new and nice footpaths/paved walking trails were constructed between Pha Ngoeb, Bang Bua Ban and then down to Huay Kaew waterfall.

* Huan Huay Kaew restaurant is not on the map!!!! This is a brilliant place overlookign the lower end of Huay Kaew Waterfall, parking lot is just next to Khru Bar Srivichai shrine. It's a wooden/bamboo structure and an EXCELLENT place for some food & drinks after (or before) a trip to/from Doi Suthep. It's like an affordable version of Palad Tawan Ron.

Questions:

----------

There's a "bicycle trail" going from past Doi Suthep Temple down to Montrathan Falls.. Is that track motorable? In a 4WD truck too? And: Would this beat the Montrathan entrance fee, saving me 50 baht or so? (20 + 30 for the car)

Further down (or up?) from Montrathan falls is another waterfall indicated without a name. Is that worth visiting and how would you best reach it?

Cheers,

Chanchao

[richard10365]

Can you scan it and post it here so we can see why your so excited?

Edited February 15, 2007 by richard10365

[Maejo Man]

There's a "bicycle trail" going from past Doi Suthep Temple down to Montrathan Falls.. Is that track motorable? In a 4WD truck too? And: Would this beat the Montrathan entrance fee, saving me 50 baht or so? (20 + 30 for the car)

Further down (or up?) from Montrathan falls is another waterfall indicated without a name. Is that worth visiting and how would you best reach it?

Cheers,

Chanchao

Too narrow for a decent 4x4 and it does bring you in higher up the falls, and yes, you would save your 50 baht!

[p1p]

Can you scan it and post it here so we can see why your so excited?

Maybe not a good idea to scan as it will be sure to break copyright and likely compromise the poor cartographers income. Such a scan would be counter to the forum rules and WILL be removed.

Better, please post details of the publisher and where it can be purchased - Cost too?

[chanchao]

> Can you scan it and post it here so we can see why your so excited?

LOL. Sure, that'll be a real incentive for the author to go out again and improve the map on future releases.

> Better, please post details of the publisher and where it can be purchased - Cost too?

99 baht, everywhere. Got mine at DK Book Center, but I bet it's at the author's usual haunts too, say the Irish Pub, Kafe Restaurant.

MaeJoMan wrote:

> Too narrow for a decent 4x4 and it does bring you in higher up the falls, and yes, you would save your 50 baht!

Oh.. I think I did actualy drive into that trail a bit, then decided that it indeed got rather narrow. And then turning around on a mountain trail is always entertaining.

I wonder if approaching it from Chang Khian village would be more feasible?

Cheers,

Chanchao

[richard10365]

I was being facetious.

[chanchao]

Sure, that's what they all say! Now you'll be looking over your shoulder everytime you hear a big bike revving behind you......

[Maejo Man]

MaeJoMan wrote:

Too narrow for a decent 4x4 and it does bring you in higher up the falls, and yes, you would save your 50 baht!

Oh.. I think I did actualy drive into that trail a bit, then decided that it indeed got rather narrow. And then turning around on a mountain trail is always entertaining.

I wonder if approaching it from Chang Khian village would be more feasible?

Cheers,

Chanchao

Did the same myself, but reversed out, which is not for the faint hearted! I don't think the way in from Chang Khian would be feasible, although I've never tried it.

It's quite a way, and if you got stuck........well helicopters are nearby

Is this all to save 50 baht of for the fun and excitement?

[chanchao]

It's about EXPLORATION, and boldly going where mere mortals never dare to tread.

Follow up question on the map: When coming from South of town going towards Samoeng, a little BEFORE the T junction where you'd turn right to go back to Mae Rim there's a dirt road that goes to Huay Pa Lao forestry station. The map shows the road ending there, but I think it continues further? Where does it go? (It's possible that I'm confusing this with a trail that's indicated as a rough 4WD trail a little further going to the Hmong village of Buek Chan, but I don't think so because the road I'm talking about isn't that rough (easily mororable in the dry) and does lead to a big government/forestry setup. And that road definitely continues on for a bit (perhaps also splits but not sure)

Cheers,

Chanchao

[davidgtr]

Can you scan it and post it here so we can see why your so excited?

Maybe not a good idea to scan as it will be sure to break copyright and likely compromise the poor cartographers income. Such a scan would be counter to the forum rules and WILL be removed.

Better, please post details of the publisher and where it can be purchased - Cost too?

bloody hel_l you guys, it’s me. and it costs 99 baht & in cnx is available at

1.Mr Mechanic.

2. Tonys big Bikes.

3. The Kafe.

4. C&P Motorcycle Hire.

5. Gecko Books.

6. Bookzone

7. Surawongs Book Centre

8. Bookazine.

9. DK Books.

10. Books Corner.

11. On The Road Books.

12. Backstreet Books.

13. Lost Bookstore.

14. Ratana's Kitchen.

15. North Wheels.

16. Panda Tour.

17. Jonadda Gueshouse.

18. UN IRish Pub.

19. The Local Pub

20. Siam Sun Tours.

21. Downunder Pub & Restaurant.

22. Suphanee Restaurant Samoeng.

23. Net Generation internet cafe.

24. Goodwill Motorcycle Hire.

25. Ginny's Restaurant.

26. Smile House.

27. You've Got Mail internet cafe.

28. A Car Rent.

29. Udomphon Books.

30. Porng Ping Pharmacy.

31. Gap's House.

32. Mr Order M/c Hire.

33. Aim A Ron.

34. The Best Travel.

35. Eastern Holidays.

36. Centre Place Tour.

37. GT Eco Tour.

38. Wandering Star Tours.

39. Top Gear Bicycle shop.

40. A Magazine.

41. Nam Khong Travel.

42. Siam River Adventures.

43. Velocity Bicycle Shop.

Is that enough. no need to be facetious for 99 baht. Its only a big beer & every farang who lives in chiang mai should have one (a 99 baht mae sa samoeng map.)

[p1p]

Is that enough. no need to be facetious for 99 baht. Its only a big beer & every farang who lives in chiang mai should have one (a 99 baht mae sa samoeng map.)

I'll drink to that, and bloody good they taste too.

[sabaijai]

Another endorsement here ...