Bkk To Chang Mai

[benjamat]

In a couple of weeks the wife and I plan to drive up to Chang Mai from Bkk.

I am choosing to drive because I would like to take my time and see a bit more of the real thailand.

I wonder if anyone can suggest a route which will allow us to do this, I dont mind taking 2 or 3 days.

Many thanks.

[benjamat]

Guess nothing of interest on this journey.

[ratcatcher]

Guess nothing of interest on this journey.

I guess you didn't wait too long for a reply?

I am interested in the Bangkok - Nakhon Sawan - Tak - Mae Sot - Highway 105/108 - Mae Hong Son route. Thence to Pai and down to Chiang Mai.

Can anyone comment on the state of this highway that runs more or less along the Burmese border and Salween river? I know that it's a twisting mountain road but blacktop all the way?

Is it very scenic or dangerous, are there good facilities along the way? Any advice or comments please.

[Ernesto]

In a couple of weeks the wife and I plan to drive up to Chang Mai from Bkk.

I am choosing to drive because I would like to take my time and see a bit more of the real thailand.

I wonder if anyone can suggest a route which will allow us to do this, I dont mind taking 2 or 3 days.

Many thanks.

I drove it in November, but did it in 1 day. If I had the time I would have a look at Lopburi. The wife says Nakhon Sawan and Singburi are also nice.

[benjamat]

In a couple of weeks the wife and I plan to drive up to Chang Mai from Bkk.

I am choosing to drive because I would like to take my time and see a bit more of the real thailand.

I wonder if anyone can suggest a route which will allow us to do this, I dont mind taking 2 or 3 days.

Many thanks.

I drove it in November, but did it in 1 day. If I had the time I would have a look at Lopburi. The wife says Nakhon Sawan and Singburi are also nice.

Thanks, will talk to the wife about these.

[Kan Win]

Hi "benjamat",

Hope I am not too late with your trip.

From Bangkok going North.

Maps

Please have a look if you do not have any.

Go to Ayutthya

Then to Lop Buri – Feed the Monkeys and have a look around.

Up to Nakhon Sawan to the Temple on top of the Mountain, yes you can drive up there.

Stay in Nakhon Sawan over night. There you will find "The Birth of the River Chao Phraya",

Next morning go to Phetchabun, Khao Khor,

and Lom Sak,. then swing a left to Phistanulok and to Sukhothai. Stay there and see the Historical Park

Next morning head across to Tat to Visit Bhumibol Dam

Once there, you will never forget that Dam.

Head up to Lamphang for a horse and carried ride. Lampung and then to Chaing Mai.

Welcome to Thailand as I see it.

Wishing you both a safe and eventful trip.

Yours truly,

Kan Win

[Owain]

Make sure to go via Ayutthaya and Sukhothai also Si Satchanalai, basically all on the way to Chiang Mai.

[henryalleman]

Guess nothing of interest on this journey.

I guess you didn't wait too long for a reply?

I am interested in the Bangkok - Nakhon Sawan - Tak - Mae Sot - Highway 105/108 - Mae Hong Son route. Thence to Pai and down to Chiang Mai.

Can anyone comment on the state of this highway that runs more or less along the Burmese border and Salween river? I know that it's a twisting mountain road but blacktop all the way?

Is it very scenic or dangerous, are there good facilities along theway? Any advice or comments please.

That's a good idea, roads are OK, plenty of good hotels on the way,the scenery is beautiful. I did this trip in the reversed way last year in April. But it will take at least 4 or 5 day's because there are so many interesting places on the way. I never payed more than 1300 baht for an decent hotel, only in Mae Hong Son hotels are over 1600 baht. My advise is make overnight stops in Nakhon Sawan,Mae Sot, Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Song and than by pai to Chiang mai, and return by Chom Thon-Mae Chaem-ThaRua-Thoen-Sukothai-Kamphaenphet- Bangkok

Mae Hong Son-Pai- Chiang Mai will take a full day, because many curves and really steep roads and maybe you will like to visit some of the many hot springs on the way.

If you like to touch the reality of a Thai town should stay a few day's in Nakhon Sawan the most Chinese town in Thailand, that's why its also called Pak Nam Pho. For instance at late afternoon til about about 08.00 pm sawan park is full of activities, Chinese Thai Chi, sword dance, open fitness with more than 50 exercise machinery(free use), Petanque, rowing on the lake, Fitness dancing on disco music, basket ball, Thai ball games and so on. Everybody in town old and young is going there to relax. And probably you will be the only foreigner, really relaxed atmosphere. Its also the town where the Chappaya river starts. you have also Boung Phoraphet the biggest sweet water lake in Thailand and an heaven for birth watchers you can take a trip with a boat on the lake watching many kinds births and see flying fish. Its also the town who is famous for celebrating Chinese new year. The parade takes abol-out 4 hours, and the night before there is a big show near the river, UNBELIEVABLE exciting, in the streets are many celebrations, And again you will be probably the only foreigner. last I time I saw only 1. Needless to say that all hotels are fully booked, but I can arrange something for you if you like. A nice condo with air co, satellite TV, hot shower, very clean and safe, with a lake view, near the center of town and close to highway. A good hotel on the hill side for 500 Baht.

Maybe you guess it already I love this town, because its vibrant and full of commercial activities almost 24/7. There is a whole sale market for fresh fruits, vegetable an fish starting at 2 am.

In day time there is market for cheap clothes near by the riverside and at 5pm its change atmosphere because than its replaced by food stalls whit a huge variety of food more than 100 food stalls cooking in open air. The locals are waiting in line for them till the food is cooked, baked or fried.

Near by the town there are many temples you can even hire a boat to visit them, and about 20 k from town there is an genuine Thai floating market.?

In short Nakhon Sawan is the best kept secret in Thailand maybe because it don't have to depend on tourism. And in fact I like to keep it that way.

You can always PM me for additional information.

http://thailand.sawadee.com/nakhonsawan/index.html

[Bangyai]

Guess nothing of interest on this journey.

I guess you didn't wait too long for a reply?

I am interested in the Bangkok - Nakhon Sawan - Tak - Mae Sot - Highway 105/108 - Mae Hong Son route. Thence to Pai and down to Chiang Mai.

Can anyone comment on the state of this highway that runs more or less along the Burmese border and Salween river? I know that it's a twisting mountain road but blacktop all the way?

Is it very scenic or dangerous, are there good facilities along the way? Any advice or comments please.

I can't match Henrys nice report but I can say I have just returned from the exact trip you are considering.

The roads are very good all the way to Mae Sot. The road ( 105 ) from Mae Sot to Mae Sariang is o.k. upto Ban Tha Song Yang as it follows the river but then it heads eastwards. From here it is a bit rough. First there is a 2k stretch of brand new two lane road. Next you have 4 kilometres of roadworks. There is no tarmac at all here as the road is being widened and graded. The car left this stretch a lot dirtier than it entered. Then you head into the hills and the road is very bumpy and narrow as it twists and turns ever higher. This lasts until Sop Moei and then the road improves as it runs into Mae Sariang. I got through this stretch in my 16 year old sports coupe so don't worry about it too much.

From Mae Sariang to Mae Hong Song and on to Pai and Chiang Mai the road is all o.k. with over a thousand bends. I raced with a guy in a Soluna from Mae Sariang to Mae Hong Song in 2 hours and 20 minutes !! This is too fast but I didn't fancy doing it in the dark .

Our whole trip took six days and we returned via Khao Kor and Petchaboon for a total of 2100 kilometres. Really, I agree with Henry. There is a hel_l of a lot to see and do and six days is not nearly enough but thats all the time and cash we had to spare.

Just as a guide , the whole 6 day trip cost 9000 baht including everything. Didn't pay more than 690 for a hotel. The best value hotel by far is the Suan Sin in Tak. Brand new hotel , spotlessly clean with fridge, T.V. and even coffee and toast thrown in free for breakfast. Best deal in Thailand at only 370 baht !!

Then there was the Panorama hotel in Mae Hong Song for 600. Not so good. We booked a fan room for 400 which would have been better value but we arrived late and lost it. Still, Mae Hong Song is pricey and at least this place was in town so we could walk to the night market. Good Thai breakfast 30 yards up the road on the corner. Cheap and clean.

In Chiang Mai used the Tapae Place Hotel which has an underground car park. Again, very central for the Night Bazaar etc and very good value at 690. Good food at Nois place, a short walk down the road towards the old city.

As for what to see....too much to mention and really for this trip you should allow longer than we did if finances are not an issue.

[henryalleman]

Hi bangyai,

I drove with an 10 year old 4WD Toyota sportrider, some mountain in second gear and when reaching some curbs even first gear.

I did 25 years ago the same trip, at that moment only gravel roads and a lot of dust

I think we stayed the same hotel in Mae Hong Son and Tak

I made the trip last April, and you?

last year I made also the trip to petchabun and Kao Kho and from there to Chian Khan and than follow the banks of the Mekong river till Mukhdahan.

But the North is much more beautiful.

[Bangyai]

Hi bangyai,

I drove with an 10 year old 4WD Toyota sportrider, some mountain in second gear and when reaching some curbs even first gear.

I did 25 years ago the same trip, at that moment only gravel roads and a lot of dust

I think we stayed the same hotel in Mae Hong Son and Tak

I made the trip last April, and you?

last year I made also the trip to petchabun and Kao Kho and from there to Chian Khan and than follow the banks of the Mekong river till Mukhdahan.

But the North is much more beautiful.

Hi Henry.

To answer your question , I just got back yesterday ( Saturday 17th Jan ).

If you made this trip 25 years ago I take my hat of to you. It must have been a real adventure way back then , especially the road from Mae Sot to Mae Sariang !! It must have taken a lot longer too !! Not too many Falangs up there then....bandit country !

I have also done the trip from Bangkok to Nong Kai , along the Mekong to Mukdaharn and on to Ubon. That was also about 24 years ago when Mukdaharn was just a one horse town not a province. Did the trip with a couple of teaching friends on 125 cc motorcycles. In those days not to many tracktors so we sometimes saw more buffaloes than people. We got so tired we ended up cheating and putting the bikes on the train for the ride back from Ubon to Bangkok.

Hey, maybe we passed each other in the old Thermaes coffe shop without knowing it !!

Yes, its a beautiful country although sometimes I think I prefered it then to now. No phones or computers and mostly black and white t.v's . Never got bored though and always managed to hook up with friends despite not having a mobile phone to co ordinate things.

[benjamat]

Many thanks everyone especially Kan Win., lots of excellent suggestions.

We will be going up next week.

[henryalleman]

Hi bangyai,

I drove with an 10 year old 4WD Toyota sportrider, some mountain in second gear and when reaching some curbs even first gear.

I did 25 years ago the same trip, at that moment only gravel roads and a lot of dust

I think we stayed the same hotel in Mae Hong Son and Tak

I made the trip last April, and you?

last year I made also the trip to petchabun and Kao Kho and from there to Chian Khan and than follow the banks of the Mekong river till Mukhdahan.

But the North is much more beautiful.

Hi Henry.

To answer your question , I just got back yesterday ( Saturday 17th Jan ).

If you made this trip 25 years ago I take my hat of to you. It must have been a real adventure way back then , especially the road from Mae Sot to Mae Sariang !! It must have taken a lot longer too !! Not too many Falangs up there then....bandit country !

I have also done the trip from Bangkok to Nong Kai , along the Mekong to Mukdaharn and on to Ubon. That was also about 24 years ago when Mukdaharn was just a one horse town not a province. Did the trip with a couple of teaching friends on 125 cc motorcycles. In those days not to many tracktors so we sometimes saw more buffaloes than people. We got so tired we ended up cheating and putting the bikes on the train for the ride back from Ubon to Bangkok.

Hey, maybe we passed each other in the old Thermaes coffe shop without knowing it !!

Yes, its a beautiful country although sometimes I think I prefered it then to now. No phones or computers and mostly black and white t.v's . Never got bored though and always managed to hook up with friends despite not having a mobile phone to co ordinate things.

The most terrible was Khao Kho nearly 20 years ago, there were almost no roads, and the communist guerillas just came out of the jungle. I remember at one moment i have to make an U turn because the road was too terrible even for an Isuzu pick up.. We have been there because my Stepson and his friends had a small company building roads before so we liked to see the place.. I even have some old pictures while he sits on the big buldozer you saw in the camp on the hill top. One of his friends was shot in his leg and they had to hide in the fieds for more than 3 day's during an attack.

The trip following the banks of Mekong river I took last year.