Mae Ping River

[swissie]

Does anyone know?

Is the Mae Ping River navigeable (for larger vessels, say at least 20 meters long) all the way down to Bangkok or would certain "obstacles" make it impossible?

Thx for input. Cheers.

[madyakka]

You would have to be able to take the craft out and portage it now and again to avoid weirs etc,what type of boat did you have in mind?Kayak would be your best option or a traditional Thai boat as Steve van Beek used to navigate the Ping many years ago,have a look at his book "Slithering south" which should give you an Idea or two,

regards

Madyakka

[mcgriffith]

Steve Van Beek just wrote an article, published in the travel section of the Bangkok Post, which was a "20 years after" look at his trip.

Believe it was in the last 2 weeks; do a search on the Bangkok Post's website- you'll find it.

[Flatouthruthefog]

Does anyone know?

Is the Mae Ping River navigeable (for larger vessels, say at least 20 meters long) all the way down to Bangkok or would certain "obstacles" make it impossible?

Thx for input. Cheers.

If you glance at a map, you'll see that the nation's largest dam, named after His Majesty the King, provides an impenetrable barrier to boating this river.

Prior to its construction, and of useable roads, small boats were the main traffic into Chiang Mai from the south. The 'docks' were just to the north of the location of the current Nawarat Bridge, on the west bank. Amusingly, about where the Traffic Police HQ is now.

Nice idea, just a little late.

[madyakka]

Does anyone know?

Is the Mae Ping River navigeable (for larger vessels, say at least 20 meters long) all the way down to Bangkok or would certain "obstacles" make it impossible?

Thx for input. Cheers.

If you glance at a map, you'll see that the nation's largest dam, named after His Majesty the King, provides an impenetrable barrier to boating this river.

Prior to its construction, and of useable roads, small boats were the main traffic into Chiang Mai from the south. The 'docks' were just to the north of the location of the current Nawarat Bridge, on the west bank. Amusingly, about where the Traffic Police HQ is now.

Nice idea, just a little late.

But you can still pull a small craft out and portage round the dam?

[JimsKnight]

Does anyone know?

Is the Mae Ping River navigeable (for larger vessels, say at least 20 meters long) all the way down to Bangkok or would certain "obstacles" make it impossible?

Thx for input. Cheers.

If you glance at a map, you'll see that the nation's largest dam, named after His Majesty the King, provides an impenetrable barrier to boating this river.

Prior to its construction, and of useable roads, small boats were the main traffic into Chiang Mai from the south. The 'docks' were just to the north of the location of the current Nawarat Bridge, on the west bank. Amusingly, about where the Traffic Police HQ is now.

Nice idea, just a little late.

But you can still pull a small craft out and portage round the dam?

It's doable you just need the lifting gear and transporter etc.

If you've got the money then anythings possible mate

[madyakka]

Does anyone know?

Is the Mae Ping River navigeable (for larger vessels, say at least 20 meters long) all the way down to Bangkok or would certain "obstacles" make it impossible?

Thx for input. Cheers.

If you glance at a map, you'll see that the nation's largest dam, named after His Majesty the King, provides an impenetrable barrier to boating this river.

Prior to its construction, and of useable roads, small boats were the main traffic into Chiang Mai from the south. The 'docks' were just to the north of the location of the current Nawarat Bridge, on the west bank. Amusingly, about where the Traffic Police HQ is now.

Nice idea, just a little late.

But you can still pull a small craft out and portage round the dam?

It's doable you just need the lifting gear and transporter etc.

If you've got the money then anythings possible mate

1 kayak 25kgs approx and a small kayak trolly for transportation very inexpensive and a lot of fun,Steve van Beek currently uses inflatable kayaks to run tours all over SE Asia.