Day 1. 04.06..23 Pattaya to Ban Kruat via old temples

Bored at home so I started a new ride, days and route not confirmed as I will decide on a day to day basis.

I left Pattaya heading for Ban Kruat in Buriram. My first stop, as I was passing was Bomb Mountain, it’s getting way too popular which makes it dangerous riding up you can’t just stop and pull over if a motorbike or car is coming down easily. Riding up the main hairpins is first gear and go!

At the top there were a lot of bikes and a 4x4’s parked up taking in the views.

After taking photos I was riding down and found one of the Thai guys in a group had come off riding down which was novel, he was ok and I rode on.

My second stop was at the dam at Khlong Si Yat Reservoir, you could not get onto the dam for photos so I rode on, but it looks an interesting place to explore.

https://goo.gl/maps/C9WkC8yif8TofE2e8

My nest two stops were Khmer temples I had not visited before, firstly Muang Phai Chedi which was a small place with not much to see at all.

https://goo.gl/maps/MRWcEXM7RDYsyvzD6

The good thing was Google maps was directing me through farm tracks across paddy fields which was fun.

The second temple has the strange name of “Little House Castle”. It worth the ride there and a walk around, it’s in need or restoration though.

From here I rode to Ban Kruat near the Cambodian border a 440km days ride.

https://www.relive.cc/view/v7O9JypBzL6

Day 2. 05.06.23. Bibaek Castle

Day two of my ride I decided to find some Khmer Temples I had not seen before and revisit a few too.

The first temple was in a rubber tree plantation Bibaek Castle, quite small but worth a visit.

https://goo.gl/maps/tmgfj8pur5DZYwCb8

The second stop was Ta Muen Temple, which I could not find. I took a screenshot showing I was there, but nothing I could find. (This morning it’s not on my Google map)

From here I went to Prasat Ta Muan.

https://goo.gl/maps/kTJPoUkcPqJjrSgp9

I have been here before and the temple has been renovated and in good condition.

Nearby is Prasat Ta Muean Tot. Which is situated just off the road and well worth visiting.

https://goo.gl/maps/5bciwhXaW2CVGrW28

The last temple was Prasat Ta Muen Thom, which is either in Cambodia or no mans land in between. You park up at the army check point and walk down to it. There were many Thai soldiers within the Temple area and I could hear the Cambodians not far away.

A good time exploring but unfortunately the heavens opened as I started my ride back, soaked!

https://goo.gl/maps/tu5tDH3p5Vr4WLSS7

https://www.relive.cc/view/vmqXw2o87o6

Day 3. 06.06.23

Yesterday was a quiet day, I met up with my friend David Zak for a liquid late breakfast and a few hours chat before riding back to Ban Kruat.

 

Day 4. 07.06.23. Prasat Ta Krabey

Today I visited Prasat Ta Krabey, which is in no mans land between Thailand and Cambodia.

The road in is a long way through the jungle and the temple is surrounded by the jungle too. Well worth a visit if in the area.

https://goo.gl/maps/1m4UViTvgT7dNS4z5

On the way back not far from the temple there is a dam you can ride alongside and there are tracks going off into the jungle to explore.

https://goo.gl/maps/R2LeXUMf8n2cWyCu7

Only a short 114km ride today.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vrqoP8DwEyv

Day 8. 11.06.23 Exploring Kanchanaburi

I left Ban Kruat a few days ago, I was riding to Lopburi but changed my mind and carried on to Kanchanaburi. Which was a 477 km ride.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vPv4RG8ew36

Today I went exploring north of Kanchanaburi, my first stop was at Tha Chaeng Dam.

https://goo.gl/maps/WFBurCRPA4B7gX4k8

From here I planned to find Lam Nokkaling Waterfall, but as I was following some off road tracks I was forced to turn back due to the track being washed out. I then continued to a reservoir here.

https://goo.gl/maps/bk24Y5zMb5uLvtPi6

From here I rode to another reservoir, Huai Thian and then back to Kanchanaburi.

It was a fun ride, some small roads and green laning with more to explore there. 221 km

https://www.relive.cc/view/v7O9JDgm7L6

Day 9. 12.06.23. Kanchanaburi, crazy bridge

Today I went exploring Kanchanaburi again, my first stop was Kanchanaburi Ancient Ruins.

Southern Mae Mai Temple, วัดแม่หม้ายใต้

North Mae Mai Temple, วัดแม่หม้ายเหนือ

Wat Khun Phaen, วัดขุนแผน

https://goo.gl/maps/9uBth3pLkyojqz9g6

These were all close together with Wat Pa Lelai just up the road, it appears I missed at least one Wat too.

https://goo.gl/maps/z3W5v7GXjAN6rZy47

From here I was riding about and crossed a weir and found a very strange partially collapsed bridge here.

https://goo.gl/maps/RrAQRfmymFFUwmvLA

I failed again to find access to Lam Nokkaling Waterfall, rode back to Kanchanaburi via Huay Krot

https://www.relive.cc/view/vxOQQY7GzMO

Day 12. 15.06.23. Kanchanaburi exploring

Today went exploring Kanchanaburi back roads again, some of the tracks were rather slippery in places after recent rains, The was no destination just riding about.
I did find a place of worship which was just a basic open front concrete box called Chao Pho Pu Khao Hin Lap Shrine.

https://goo.gl/maps/Y2kHepDHeXkReEqV9

https://www.relive.cc/view/vXOd8YYw3kO

Day 13. 16.06.23. Kanchanaburi to Chiang Mai, crash with buffalo

Day 13 of my trip today and a Friday, what could go wrong? Well I crashed into a buffalo on my ride from Kanchanaburi to Chiang Mai.

Two buffalo’s bolted across the road from the verge leading me to practice my four letter vocabulary shouting when I hit one quite hard. The Thai farmers were also shouting to add to the mayhem. But shouting at the buffalo and other traffic that had spooked them. They apologized to me and my bike was not damaged so after smiles all round I continued my trip.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vMv8gJRZdPq

Day 14. 17.06.23. Doi Suthep and Doi Pui

Today I stayed local to Chiang Mai city with a ride up Doi Suthep and Doi Pui, great views as always.

 

Day 15. 18.06.23. Samoeng Loop

Today I went on a ride I have ridden a few time, the Samoeng Loop. Great weather and views finished off with Sunday lunch.

https://www.relive.cc/view/v1vj97J8JYq

Day 16. 19.06.23 Chiang Mai to Mai Sap Chue Reservoir, (also called Mae Mao Reservoir)

Today I decided to checkout Mae Mao Reservoir, on the way I stopped at Ban Tung Lakon, to take photos of the mountains making up Chiang Dao, a quiet village with wonderful views.

19.41076, 98.95532

I then rode up to Mae Mao Reservoir which was very low of water and nothing special to look at. But the mountains there are great and in need of more exploring. Today the sky was very dark with thunder rumbling around, so I rode back to Chiang Mai.

https://goo.gl/maps/6V2TtWzjhbjFYG9L7

https://www.relive.cc/view/vevWB8DKzGq

Day 17. 20.06.23. Exploring mountains north of Chiang Mai

Today I rode north of Chiang Mai past the road to Pai (R1095) and up R3052. I then turned up to Ban Pha Mon and just beyond the off road tracks start.

https://goo.gl/maps/g5MZ3xQBYujbuyqV9

I did not continue, but I will come back to ride later in the year. Riding back down 2.5 km if you turn left this track if I recall takes you down to R3052.

https://goo.gl/maps/mXW8tn6GowJSwmrx5

After getting back on R3052 there were the remains of clearing landslides and some clearing still ongoing until I reached the bridge where you turn left to go to the rafting start point.

Another good ride topping out at just over 1,000m.

https://www.relive.cc/view/v4OGg9xBQmO

Day 18. 21.06.23. Chiang Mai - Wat Chan - Pai Loop

Today I rode a loop from Chiang Mai to Wat Chan, Pai and back.

It started off with good weather quickly changing to clagged in hill tops, light rain and heavy showers.

I picked up a Thai guy hitchhiking and dropped him off at his village about 10 km along the route.

Leaving Pai I witnessed one crash on the slippery road and a little later I passed a minibus in a ditch with people unloading their luggage.

Day 20. 23.06.23. Chiang Mai to Ban Mae Sa Mai and Mon Jam

Today I went to see Ban Mae Sa Mai, this is a Hmong village in the mountains north of Chiang Mai.
When I stopped to take a look around it was very noisy but I did not understand why. After coming back from wandering up a track to take photos I had a chat with a local who explained it was a funeral party and said I could go and look. The thought of walking into a funeral and taking photos did not seem right, so I left and rode to Mon Jam to look at the views before riding back to Chiang Mai.

https://goo.gl/maps/SywgBgjGMGZ3cwaTA

https://www.relive.cc/view/vevYQJgYgJv

 

When you said you were bored at home you were not joking, in anyway, magnificent and diverse trip, the kind that not many dare to take by themselves.

39 minutes ago, ezzra said:

When you said you were bored at home you were not joking, in anyway, magnificent and diverse trip, the kind that not many dare to take by themselves.

I'm used to riding long trips, usually one a year with day rides to keep me going. But it's great to just get up and go ????

3 hours ago, chrissables said:

I'm used to riding long trips, usually one a year with day rides to keep me going. But it's great to just get up and go ????

Been all those places but over a number of years roads only. ????

 

The last place me and my biker buddy rode out and about on a road trip was Nan mountain area it had really good road loop rides I recommend you try.

 

I preferred it to Mae Hong Song loop.

 

Another great trip. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy.

Beautiful photos. You are living my dream. Keep it up.

58 minutes ago, rhodie said:

Another great trip. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy.

Still on the road but heading home soon ????

40 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

Beautiful photos. You are living my dream. Keep it up.

Thanks )

2 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

Been all those places but over a number of years roads only. ????

 

The last place me and my biker buddy rode out and about on a road trip was Nan mountain area it had really good road loop rides I recommend you try.

 

I preferred it to Mae Hong Song loop.

 

Nan is great, i will go later in the year ????

Day 22. 25.06.23.

My planned ride today was changed when I found out that my rear rack which the Mosko harness sits on had lost two bolts, one them the thread was ruined.  The other two bolts were lose.

Leaving the hotel to look for a shop that was open on a Sunday I met three Thai guys on enduro bikes and stopped to ask them where to go, luckily for me one of them owned a motorbike shop behind the Lux Hotel. They rethreaded the ruined thread, supplied two new bolts and checked everything very quickly and only took money for the bolt costs!

I decided to ride up Doi Suthep before the forecast rains and was back in town for Sunday roast.

Excellent log and looks like a wonderful trip, great pics.

I have taken note of some of the routings, thanks.

 

A few questions:

Do you feel the CRF type of bike is essential for the type of off-road tracks you used? I have a Honda Phantom 200cc. Would it be manageable on that? 

 

Either on a CRF or another bike, would it be possible with a passenger? 

 

Did you only use Google Maps? Or also another app? Several pics showed your day's route, is that from google?

 

Many thanks for the inspiration.

Paul

Chris you constantly amaze with the quality of your photos let alone the incredible locations you take them at. It's just wonderful to see our beautiful Thailand through your eyes. As always thank you so much for giving me such a window.

All the very best 

Rand MI

23 minutes ago, PMZ said:

Excellent log and looks like a wonderful trip, great pics.

I have taken note of some of the routings, thanks.

 

A few questions:

Do you feel the CRF type of bike is essential for the type of off-road tracks you used? I have a Honda Phantom 200cc. Would it be manageable on that? 

 

Either on a CRF or another bike, would it be possible with a passenger? 

 

Did you only use Google Maps? Or also another app? Several pics showed your day's route, is that from google?

 

Many thanks for the inspiration.

Paul

Thanks.

I ride more difficult tracks on my CT125

A Honda wave would take you everywhere, that's what local farmers ride.

Two up on a CRF depends on your ability, for my trip to date it would not be and issue, more serious off road riding best alone i would think.

A Phantom would be ok, maybe change the tryes if off roading.

I plan my routes from Google, just way points and off i go, often changing as i ride.

GAIA app is a GPS on my phone, those are the routes you have seen.

Video app is Relive, shows route and photos.

I hope this helps, ask if you need more information.

13 minutes ago, Randell said:

Chris you constantly amaze with the quality of your photos let alone the incredible locations you take them at. It's just wonderful to see our beautiful Thailand through your eyes. As always thank you so much for giving me such a window.

All the very best 

Rand MI

Cheers, it's great riding around and nice my trip reports are liked ????

1 hour ago, PMZ said:

Excellent log and looks like a wonderful trip, great pics.

I have taken note of some of the routings, thanks.

 

A few questions:

Do you feel the CRF type of bike is essential for the type of off-road tracks you used? I have a Honda Phantom 200cc. Would it be manageable on that? 

 

Either on a CRF or another bike, would it be possible with a passenger? 

 

Did you only use Google Maps? Or also another app? Several pics showed your day's route, is that from google?

 

Many thanks for the inspiration.

Paul

A biker mate of ours has a Phantom and rides it over rough ground and track shown in the pix.

 

Only roads is all I go these days.

 

Roads works can be a problem for many bikes, gets them rotten dirty too.

 

 

Day 23. 26.06.23

I woke early to ride to Mae Sariang and it was pissing down! Forecast 90% rain so I decided to stay another day as I am in no hurry to go anywhere. But the rained stopped and it was a dry day until 3pm!

Day 24. 27.06.23. Chiang Mai to Mae Sariang

I took a detour to ride to Mae Sariang today as there was no rain a great ride and I found a small valley with some rice terracing I did had not noticed before.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vKv2YYz2N4q

Day 23. 26.06.23

I woke early to ride to Mae Sariang and it was pissing down! Forecast 90% rain so I decided to stay another day as I am in no hurry to go anywhere. But the rained stopped and it was a dry day until 3pm!

Day 24. 27.06.23. Chiang Mai to Mae Sariang

I took a detour to ride to Mae Sariang today as there was no rain a great ride and I found a small valley with some rice terracing I did had not noticed before.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vKv2YYz2N4q

Today i rode a very nice loop out from Mae Sariang with plenty of great views.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vYvrVV2WpLv