The Most Scenic Drive In Thailand

[corkscrew]

Every country or state has affectionatos who say "such and such" is the most scenic drive in their area. What about us folks in Thailand?

Since I drive 99% of my time in Bangkok my most scenic views are when I drive past Lumpini park. I want to take my car somewhere beautiful in Thailand.

Any suggestions?

[madjbs]

One that sticks in my mind is the Doi Pukha loop, start in Nan and go on roads 1080,1256,1081,1169. Fantastic driving roads and lots of good views. Photos to follow if wanted.

[thaipete]

There are so many beautiful drives the one I really love is Chanterburi to the border thru Trat, the Cambodian mountains on one side and some great beaches on the other. Alao the narrowist place in Thailand.

But you have a great national park just north of you Kao Yai is a great scenic route

[percy2]

The obvious one is the Mae Sot > Mae Hong Son > Chiang Mai.

Though Some say the Mae Sot > Umpang and back.

I always liked Chumphon > Ranong.

For a one day from BKK up to Pack Chong and back through Khao Yai.

Cheers

[mark lamai]

are you driving a Pug percy?

I really fancied a 404 i saw in Don Muang a few years ago,

that's how to travel,

windows down, no aircon, and the lovely feel of a solid old car on the road.

[madjbs]

Some of the roads on the Doi Pukha Loop, slightly burnt when I was last there.

[chinthee]

It's a long drive from Bangkok, but I do it several times/year. In Phuket, I think are some of the most beautiful and breathtaking drives in the country. I've done the trip from BKK in times from 9 hours to 12 hours, FYI. That trip from Bangkok contains nothing of beauty until you reach Krabi.

But...once in Phuket:

#1. The drive from Kata to Nai Harn, but specifically, the highest mountain pass area with views over the Andaman sea.

#2. A little known very high mountain pass road with incredible ocean views up the backside of Kamala, where all the multi-million dollar houses are being developed.

#3. The drive on the pass between Kamala and Surin, which also has lots of winding curves and beautiful ocean views.

There are also some amazing drives in Krabi among all the beautiful vertically cliff faced mountains.

[percy2]

are you driving a Pug percy?

I really fancied a 404 i saw in Don Muang a few years ago,

that's how to travel,

windows down, no aircon, and the lovely feel of a solid old car on the road.

Generally I do these in a Tiger.

Doi Phuka looks ermmmm.... Phuka!

Tempted to buy a new bike.

Cheers

[madjbs]

Another fantastic road for views over Burma and Northern Thailand starts from half way up Doi Tung and goes all the way over a mountain chain which runs along the border, eventually you end up in Mae Sai. Here are some photos, well worth the trip but watch out for stray bullets.

[corkscrew]

Thank you...all of you.

[percy2]

I just remembered another one. Thong Pa Pum > Pilok.

Cheers

[Jareddiving]

When you are driving from beach-road in Pattaya towards Walking street.

All the neon and lights, are amazing.

[mikethevigoman]

Another fantastic road for views over Burma and Northern Thailand starts from half way up Doi Tung and goes all the way over a mountain chain which runs along the border, eventually you end up in Mae Sai. Here are some photos, well worth the trip but watch out for stray bullets.

on tarmac with those tyres on ! disgusting, you need this terrain ,. sorry off subject ( not possible in a car )

[funfun]

Another fantastic road for views over Burma and Northern Thailand starts from half way up Doi Tung and goes all the way over a mountain chain which runs along the border, eventually you end up in Mae Sai. Here are some photos, well worth the trip but watch out for stray bullets.

on tarmac with those tyres on ! disgusting, you need this terrain ,. sorry off subject ( not possible in a car )

For me gotta be Koh Chang! some photos here

the 3 hours from Pattaya are good!

[lawling]

Every country or state has affectionatos who say "such and such" is the most scenic drive in their area. What about us folks in Thailand?

Since I drive 99% of my time in Bangkok my most scenic views are when I drive past Lumpini park. I want to take my car somewhere beautiful in Thailand.

Any suggestions?

According to the Lonely Planet the road between Thong Pha Phum and Sangkhlaburi on the route from Kanchanaburi to Three Pagodas Pass is one of the most beautiful in Thailand.

I have done it and it is nice but I don't know how it compares to the others that have been mentioned.

[Flatouthruthefog]

are you driving a Pug percy?

I really fancied a 404 i saw in Don Muang a few years ago,

that's how to travel,

windows down, no aircon, and the lovely feel of a solid old car on the road.

Want a 404? J&N Autos in Chiangmai have one for sale right now. Mechanically excellent, interior almost as new, only needs a re-paint and the correct badges! See photos of it on the new Classic Cars of Lanna website.

[Flatouthruthefog]

Thank you...all of you.

Hey, don't go away, there's more.

The "Mae Hong Son loop", beginning and ending in Chiang Mai or Hod or Maesariang is superb and according to map maker and Golden Triangle Rider David Unkovich is best done in an anti-clockwise direction to get the best of the views. I would add that it needs one overnight stay to enjoy it properly, for which I personally would choose Pai.

Much shorter and in its own way very pretty indeed is the half day tour round the "Samoeng loop", but this time the best direction is clockwise from Hang Dong around to Mae Rim. The road seems to 'flow' much better that way. Close to the Mae Rim end is the Mae Sa (flower growing) valley, Queen Sirikit Botanical Centre etc but maybe of more interest to you lot: ATV riding, go-karts on loose surface (take yer plastic goggles!), bungee etc etc.

[chavy]

Agreed Lawling, that drive to Songklhaburi is great & ending up at the 3 pagodas is a great final destination.

Not too far from Bangkok (2+hrs) is the Khao Yai national park, I think somebody already pointed out. This is also great drivint territory.

Best of all would be the Northern provinces but obviously you need to devote the time to go.

[percy2]

Every country or state has affectionatos who say "such and such" is the most scenic drive in their area. What about us folks in Thailand?

Since I drive 99% of my time in Bangkok my most scenic views are when I drive past Lumpini park. I want to take my car somewhere beautiful in Thailand.

Any suggestions?

According to the Lonely Planet the road between Thong Pha Phum and Sangkhlaburi on the route from Kanchanaburi to Three Pagodas Pass is one of the most beautiful in Thailand.

I have done it and it is nice but I don't know how it compares to the others that have been mentioned.

Its a nice route , but the three pagodas are very dissapointing.

IMHO when you get to Thong Pa Phum go the other way. From the top of Pilok on a clear day you can see clear across Burma and the Andaman Sea.

I just remembered another one. Thong Pa Pum > Pilok.

Cheers

[Mosha]

I live in Ranong and there really is some beautiful scenery around here, especially La-Un and Kraburi. However a recent drive from Nakhon Sri Thammerat back here, we decided to try a different route. Basically saved us 80KM. Between NST and the Chandi turn off on highway 41. Most of that run is beautiful.

Edited November 25, 2007 by Mosha

[Thaiboxer]

I've been in a truck from BKK to Pattani and back a few times. That drive along the southern isthmus is beautiful as well...particularly once you pass the touristy spots of Cha-am and Hua Hin. You have lots of coconut/rubber farms with tons of mountains in the background. Once you get to Songkla, the longest bridge in Thailand runs across a bay surrounded by little fishing villages built right over the water and some channels leading out to sea.

I have yet to experience the South on the other (Andaman Sea) side but I'm sure that area is breathtaking. I recently went to Chokchai Farm, a two hour ride from BKK, and that drive was pleasant but not nearly as pretty as the South.

[asiaworld]

Every country or state has affectionatos who say "such and such" is the most scenic drive in their area. What about us folks in Thailand?

Since I drive 99% of my time in Bangkok my most scenic views are when I drive past Lumpini park. I want to take my car somewhere beautiful in Thailand.

Any suggestions?

According to the Lonely Planet the road between Thong Pha Phum and Sangkhlaburi on the route from Kanchanaburi to Three Pagodas Pass is one of the most beautiful in Thailand.

I have done it and it is nice but I don't know how it compares to the others that have been mentioned.

Its a nice route , but the three pagodas are very dissapointing.

IMHO when you get to Thong Pa Phum go the other way. From the top of Pilok on a clear day you can see clear across Burma and the Andaman Sea.

I just remembered another one. Thong Pa Pum > Pilok.

Cheers

Hey Percy2 , it's interesting to know,there's more out there,than 3 pagodas, btw. is it good paved road all the way to Pilok ??

Also is there anything of interest in Pilok itself>like border market,or whatever ??! Thanx

[solent01]

Has to be north Thailand for me, mind you I live north Chiang Mai so I'm a little biased I guess.

[Brigante7]

Another fantastic road for views over Burma and Northern Thailand starts from half way up Doi Tung and goes all the way over a mountain chain which runs along the border, eventually you end up in Mae Sai. Here are some photos, well worth the trip but watch out for stray bullets.

Excellent pictures and lovely bikes.

[percy2]

Every country or state has affectionatos who say "such and such" is the most scenic drive in their area. What about us folks in Thailand?

Since I drive 99% of my time in Bangkok my most scenic views are when I drive past Lumpini park. I want to take my car somewhere beautiful in Thailand.

Any suggestions?

According to the Lonely Planet the road between Thong Pha Phum and Sangkhlaburi on the route from Kanchanaburi to Three Pagodas Pass is one of the most beautiful in Thailand.

I have done it and it is nice but I don't know how it compares to the others that have been mentioned.

Its a nice route , but the three pagodas are very dissapointing.

IMHO when you get to Thong Pa Phum go the other way. From the top of Pilok on a clear day you can see clear across Burma and the Andaman Sea.

I just remembered another one. Thong Pa Pum > Pilok.

Cheers

Hey Percy2 , it's interesting to know,there's more out there,than 3 pagodas, btw. is it good paved road all the way to Pilok ??

Also is there anything of interest in Pilok itself>like border market,or whatever ??! Thanx

Pilok itself doesn't have much, but there are a couple of waterfalls and a National park with fantastic views and camping facilities.

The road to Pilok is good. If you do Have an off road vehicle then there are other interesting places to visit/routes to take.

Cheers

[LivinLOS]

I really like the limestone karsts that are around the Phang Nga / krabi region.. Some superb places along that route..

South down the andaman coast past lanta towards koh Lippe is pretty cool too.. Nice open twisty roads with a pretty good surface..

[corkscrew]

In two weeks we are going to drive from Bangkok to Korat. Any suggestions on the route and what to see? Thanks in advance.

[chiang mai]

Another fantastic road for views over Burma and Northern Thailand starts from half way up Doi Tung and goes all the way over a mountain chain which runs along the border, eventually you end up in Mae Sai. Here are some photos, well worth the trip but watch out for stray bullets.

The scariest 22 kms in Thailand with machine gun posts at either end of it - great views though.

[JimsKnight]

Got to be the Mae Sa Loop, which is a tour through the Mae Sa Valley to the 1096/1269 intersection. Then either/or to Sa Moeng or down on the 1269 to Hang Dong. Then back up the canal road to Chiang Mai.

From Chiang Mai get to Mae Rim, hang a left onto the 1096 into the Mae Sa Valley. Up and up into the valley with waterfalls and all kinds of stuff around you.

The ravines and mountain cliffs are unique I think but other areas I've not been to may be good too

Chiang Rai and the border zone their might be promising

Get to the viewpoints and enjoy the view.

Good blast, a cool climate once you get to the heights. Just don't overcook the turns or you'll end up experiencing free falling first hand

Here's some of the valley images...

Edited December 4, 2007 by JimsKnight