CT125 and Vespa Sprint 150, Southern Thailand Tour.

[chrissables]

Day 1. Today was the first day of a tour to the south of Thailand with my Mate Mike on his 60 year old Vespa, with me riding my CT125.

The ride up to the ferry crossing in Bangkok was ok considering the heat. But the road works heading south made things difficult with Google maps also getting confused at times.

Not long after lunch Mike the Vespa had some issues with the headstock slipping which was eventually repaired Basil Fawlty with a hammer.

Back on the road the Vespa started having more issues and we could only get it running by me towing it and bump starting it. We eventually got to Hua Hin after a very hot day.

Day 2. Today we got the Vespa to a shop that specializes in Vespa’s but the staff were not available to help.

Mike is now going back to Chonburi to pick up the spares required, hopefully back on the road tomorrow or Monday morning.

https://www.relive.cc/view/v26MjzmkMEq

 

[transam]

Got me thinking about my 1965 Vespa SS180, which I wish I still had..................😉

[jvs]

Good luck in getting it going again,you could have stopped here in Cha-am we have a shop full of tools.

In about one hour we are heading South also,tomorrow we will be in Ban Krut i think.

Tonight probably in Pa-mak.a great place to camp but because of the long weekend it will be busy.

Maybe we can meet up somewhere for a cold drink or so.

We will also be heading to Chumphon,the beach there is also great to camp.

Our group will be 6 people this time.

 

[Korat Kiwi]

Love the look of the Vespa but I'd put money on the Honda lasting the distance. 

[chrissables]

38 minutes ago, jvs said:

Good luck in getting it going again,you could have stopped here in Cha-am we have a shop full of tools.

In about one hour we are heading South also,tomorrow we will be in Ban Krut i think.

Tonight probably in Pa-mak.a great place to camp but because of the long weekend it will be busy.

Maybe we can meet up somewhere for a cold drink or so.

We will also be heading to Chumphon,the beach there is also great to camp.

Our group will be 6 people this time.

 

Mike will come back tomorrow morning if possible, difficult to firm up anything until bike is running.

I will update here when i know, but hopefully meet up.

[chrissables]

56 minutes ago, jvs said:

Good luck in getting it going again,you could have stopped here in Cha-am we have a shop full of tools.

In about one hour we are heading South also,tomorrow we will be in Ban Krut i think.

Tonight probably in Pa-mak.a great place to camp but because of the long weekend it will be busy.

Maybe we can meet up somewhere for a cold drink or so.

We will also be heading to Chumphon,the beach there is also great to camp.

Our group will be 6 people this time.

 

Shop location for reference please.

[chrissables]

Day 3. Exploring Hua Hin westward

Today I went riding alone and headed west. My first stop was at Khao Hin Lek Fai, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zCMX4mNY7N3WobG19

After my walk back from the rocky viewpoint I found one of the local monkeys had tried to steal my water bottle, when buying a new one it tried to steal a bag off the bike too!

From here I rode on to Khao Nokkrichib Reservoir, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Wtc3ZE1JWV6GLXMb6

This was just a small reservoir and not so interesting.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ThCnksdqo4fskJoa9

As was this reservoir, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/4wsEDFiP83Rv8Zu58

 

Next was Ban Pa La-U Reservoir, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vz7KgubWR6zqBBJUA

There are some massive earthworks near here and it appears they are enlarging the present reservoir or building a new one besides it.

The waterfall of the same name is in a national park, so I gave it a miss and rode to Reservoir Sao Ha, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/iszwtki594QiKGng9

There were some nice views of the mountains behind it. I then returned to Hua Hin.

Mike has already returned and is working on his bike, so we should be on the way in the morning.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vMv8GNWgzPq

 

[chrissables]

Day 4. Hua Hin to Prachuap Kiri Khan.

Today unfortunately a few kilometers after starting our trip the Vespa decided to give up and die. Mike has tried his best and he and the Vespa are in his pickup back to Chonburi.

As it stands he is riding back to meet me on another bike and I will wait a Prachuap Kiri Khan for him.

Today’s photos shop Mike’s beachside workshop yesterday, his abandoned Vespa in Hua Hin and my ride following the coast roads as far as possible.

My first stop was Three Palm Trees, Pranburi, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zYnabDXHHUetA4uy9

Then Khao Kra Lok mountain on the coast, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/rNknzAiEGdexvSKGA

Then Sam Roi Yot Beach area, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/mdExLtF7gdEGPkJ49

I then stopped at Dead End Road at Kamnan Dam Road, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/PMFcpFsJ34GgmPbj7

Next stop was Wa Khao Beach with the swings, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/8h6UnvPVjp6BYAH96

I then continued to Prachuap Kiri Khan, another hot ride finished with cold beer.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vKv2nVQ3j4v

 

[BTB1977]

I would choose your riding partners better.  A junk bike can really ruin a ride. Your lucky it exploded.  Know you can enjoy the rest of your ride. 

[zhounan]

This kind of journey always leave a lot of experiences. Appreciate people who do it.

[traveller101]

On 2/24/2024 at 11:20 AM, transam said:

Got me thinking about my 1965 Vespa SS180, which I wish I still had..................😉

Same feeling here - (the "sport scooter in it's time) 1973 Vespa Rally 200 with over 12HP, Top Speed 110km/h. Nostalgia comes alive.

[degodasilva]

I have no real interest in bikes but I've gotta say I really enjoyed seeing the great photos.

[spidermike007]

On 2/24/2024 at 11:36 AM, jvs said:

Good luck in getting it going again,you could have stopped here in Cha-am we have a shop full of tools.

In about one hour we are heading South also,tomorrow we will be in Ban Krut i think.

Tonight probably in Pa-mak.a great place to camp but because of the long weekend it will be busy.

Maybe we can meet up somewhere for a cold drink or so.

We will also be heading to Chumphon,the beach there is also great to camp.

Our group will be 6 people this time.

 

Check out the temple on the northern end of Ban Krut bay it, has the most extraordinary stained glass I've seen on any temple in Thailand, it's really worth a visit. Nice area. Very peaceful. Great beaches. 

[chrissables]

4 hours ago, BTB1977 said:

I would choose your riding partners better.  A junk bike can really ruin a ride. Your lucky it exploded.  Know you can enjoy the rest of your ride. 

Just bad luck, i have ridden with him before, a great guy to ride with. We will ride on together as it stands.

[chrissables]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

Check out the temple on the northern end of Ban Krut bay it, has the most extraordinary stained glass I've seen on any temple in Thailand, it's really worth a visit. Nice area. Very peaceful. Great beaches. 

Thanks, i will google it

[papa al]

2 hours ago, chrissables said:

Just bad luck, i have ridden with him before, a great guy to ride with. We will ride on together as it stands.

The Vespa is a 2T.? 

Lubrication-problem failure.?

Broken ring.?

[chrissables]

16 minutes ago, papa al said:

The Vespa is a 2T.? 

Lubrication-problem failure.?

Broken ring.?

All of the above possibly, it's back in Chonburi being checked out.

[chrissables]

Day 5. Prachuap Kiri Khan exploring

To update about the Vespa, the bike is still being worked on. If not repairable Mike will ride another bike back.

I spent the morning exploring inland from Prachuap Kiri Khan, my first two intended stops were reservoirs I could not find, but there was plenty of green laning exploring.

I then found Chum Num Malako Reservoir, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/52hk7ow8uBd58esAA

I spent a while exploring the pineapple fields in the area before riding back to photograph Saranwithi Pier and then went for a cold beer.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/7a6di1Xf8P6U4trc9

https://www.relive.cc/view/vWqBm7pMoQ6

[johng]

1 hour ago, chrissables said:

To update about the Vespa, the bike is still being worked on.

By the look of that piston he should check the 2 stroke oil mix also check that there is no water in the fuel..I had terrible problems on my water cooled 2 stroker because ( my guess) of coolant leaking in the combustion chamber causing piston seizures..won't be coolant as the Vespa is air-cooled  but could be water in the petrol.

[chrissables]

13 hours ago, johng said:

By the look of that piston he should check the 2 stroke oil mix also check that there is no water in the fuel..I had terrible problems on my water cooled 2 stroker because ( my guess) of coolant leaking in the combustion chamber causing piston seizures..won't be coolant as the Vespa is air-cooled  but could be water in the petrol.

Last night it was being stripped right down and hopefully the issue found and repaired.

[chrissables]

Day 6. Prachuap Kiri Khan Ao Manao and Border ride.

The map of the ride is incomplete, but all the viewpoints are below.

My first stop today was not far at An Manao beach, I was waved through security at first but refused access to the actual beach road by a Navy guard, he was very polite and explained how to get there. Strangely enough after looping around it appeared I could ride all along from the south side. But i just took a photo at the beach promenade and rode on.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/c6S5ae34K4VjEcNf9

I then rode to Klong Wan Fishing Pier, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/b6Vwtofie4fNMjnv7

Just up the road was Klong Wan new Fishing Pier, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/aPUkhcDRg32DyxBF7

It was very busy there with boats still being unloaded.

Not far was the Statue of King Rama IV, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/BnXP6VA9i6i5BBro6

I then headed inland to Huai Nam Chon Reservoir which was very small and did some exploring in the pineapple fields.

Next was Klong Wa Thon Reservoir that was nearly empty, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/KxNEEkgpSAod1JsX8

Riding towards the Burmese Border I stopped at Wang Takhian Reservoir, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZMCYnPwPHTCLRTre9

I did not get very close to the border and turned around at Sing Khon Border Crossing Station, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/evbnQVTfq393A9d98

Soon after leaving it started raining heavily all the way back to Prachuap Kiri Khan.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vRO7ezL9Eyq

[chrissables]

Day 7. Exploring south of Prachuap Kiri Khan

This morning the bay at Prachuap Kiri Khan was dark with rain on the way. I decided to wait a few hours before heading south. My first stop was at Waghor Antique Train Exhibit, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/aL1WUWLHYbpKhc8Q6

Next was trying to follow the coast line further south and hitting dead ends where Google maps showed  roads, eventually finding a small pier with a bright and new looking Mosque here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Wchf5NyaW7bEj4ss9

Then on to Lemon Bay, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/rNsBbjWvWmWzBHSCA

From here I was going to go to Wanakorn Beach, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/93WyHPviufdQCKYu5

But being inside a National Park with fee to enter, I decided to cross road 4 and loop back on smaller roads.

https://www.relive.cc/view/v1Ow57DYgXq

 

[chrissables]

Day 8. Prachuap Kiri Khan to Ban Krut.

An update on the Vespa, Mike is having everything overhauled and hoping to be on the road early next week. Until then I will ride slowly south exploring as much as possible.

Today’s riding was a mix of beach roads and riding inland trying to avoid R4. This was made a bit tricky by a lot of the railway crossing marked on Google maps not actually being there.

My first stop today was at Huai Maprang Reservoir, which was nearly empty, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/cTSwyH9j6Zp67x969

Next was Crystal Island, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/FXbSLVNh3dY4t4kA6

There was not much to see and too much litter around.

Just a way up the beach was a small inlet that was my next stop, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/DkGKYmprXAZAeg597

Next I stopped at the Shrine of Chao Por Sang Khao Kwang. The shrine was a boat, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zcWdauxMi2iToZxA8

On my way into Ban Krut I stopped to take a photo at Phraphut Kiti Sirichai, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/jkuvMh1QvWLAZehP8

From here I found a room and a cold beer.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vdvmJ7zDYNO

 

[chrissables]

Day 9. Ban Krut

This morning it was raining at 6.30, when it stopped I went for a walk on the beach here. I decided to not use the diving board though. The sky looked as if more rain was on its way but it was ok.

My first stop was Mining Pine Forest, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/FvxwEwumvAT831Xa6

I then found reservoirs that are un-named and only on Gaia maps, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/o3igHG1GCrakMXBW7

Not far away was Khlong Chakra Reservoir, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/pbhnyH4PeLZuMwmb7

I then rode onto Khlong Chong Lom Reservoir, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/wPDJeMybS4FHQRRS7

The mountains behind the reservoir form the border with Burma and are in Namtok Huai Yang National Park. I rode as far as I could into the border area until the track faded into a walking track into the distance.

From here I returned to Ban Krut.

 

[jvs]

Yesterday we past each other likes ships in the night but you did have a short conversation with one

of our group.

We got back to Cha-am today and we had a great ride and saw a lot spectacular views.

Going across the mountains was great and some nice roads.

We also did take some challenging off road tracks and it was a good test for the team spirit and the bikes.

Too bad we did not meet but maybe someday we can ride together and enjoy the great views Thailand has to offer.

This was our second trip South and it was really nice,better than the first trip which was in November and we really got soaked nearly every day.

Today,like you said ,some rain early in the morning but it cleared up later and was pretty hot.

How long will you be out?

 

[jvs]

On 2/27/2024 at 11:32 AM, spidermike007 said:

Check out the temple on the northern end of Ban Krut bay it, has the most extraordinary stained glass I've seen on any temple in Thailand, it's really worth a visit. Nice area. Very peaceful. Great beaches. 

Yes we were at that temple during the last trip.Very nice and great views from it.

We did not stop there this time but we did pass it ,a lot to see there and all along the coast.really enjoyed the trip again.

[chrissables]

12 hours ago, jvs said:

Yesterday we past each other likes ships in the night but you did have a short conversation with one

of our group.

We got back to Cha-am today and we had a great ride and saw a lot spectacular views.

Going across the mountains was great and some nice roads.

We also did take some challenging off road tracks and it was a good test for the team spirit and the bikes.

Too bad we did not meet but maybe someday we can ride together and enjoy the great views Thailand has to offer.

This was our second trip South and it was really nice,better than the first trip which was in November and we really got soaked nearly every day.

Today,like you said ,some rain early in the morning but it cleared up later and was pretty hot.

How long will you be out?

 

Hopefully we will meet up.

At the moment they may be another guy, Al (Papa from thaivisa) joining Mike in Pattaya for the ride south and at the moment we thinking of meeting at Chumphon.
Mike has had the bike stripped down and it's being totally rebuilt, so once on the road we should be good for the whole trip.

We are riding following the east coast to the Malaysian border, then west and up north. Timewise i'm not sure, we we are riding together i will know more.

[chrissables]

Day 10. Ban Krut – Burmese Border ride.

Today I decided to see if I could ride up to the Burmese border. Leaving Ban Krut my first stop was Ban Morasuap Reservoir, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/WLFsz5edf1RxMubg6

And here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/D2JdaStkEmYwxqEaA

Strangely the next reservoir had the same name, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/eJ6V9E2mFBm6jaAc9

I then rode to Kha On Waterfall National Park, here

https://maps.app.goo.gl/bmzDy59vPptpmMHa9

As there was no charge I continued to waterfall One,  here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qB4FeWCoGUKnKBPQ9

There is about 400 meters to walk to see the rest, I did not bother as it was very hot and there was very little water.

Leaving here I took a side track and went green laning which was fun, good flowing tracks there.

Looking at Gaia now it seems I should have kept going as it meets up with the road I later took.

I rode back and onto Huai Kai Taw Reservoir, here.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/dzn9SoWtm78n5AKs8

From here I took the track up towards the Burmese border. At the first checkpoint I told them I was just looking around and was waved through. At the top of the track the checkpoint is actually on the border. I was stopped from taking photos for some reason. I got a few before being told this, but not of the view back over Thailand unfortunately.

From here I returned to Ban Krut.

 

 

 

[Randell]

Wonderful to travel with you again Chris 555. I always enjoy your photos always so crisp. Fantastic I how the boys catch up with you soon. Have a good on .

Randell

[chrissables]

13 hours ago, Randell said:

Wonderful to travel with you again Chris 555. I always enjoy your photos always so crisp. Fantastic I how the boys catch up with you soon. Have a good on .

Randell

They are leaving tuesday as far as i know.
Mike will not continue to the deep south as his budget went on a total rebuild of his Vespa. Al and i will carry on alone.