Further motorbike travels in Thailand, Malaysia and Laos

[chrissables]

This trip is a follow up to my previous long trip of 2014 see below. But this time on a big bike.

Please be patient it was a long trip

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/797874-small-motorbikes-and-travel-in-thailand-with-photos/

Day 1. Nov 1

Pattaya to Phetchabun.

I left at 6.30 in the morning a straight run up the 331, with a left at Phanom Sarakham leading to Nakhon Nayok, Chai Badam and the 2275 to Phetchabun. Besides taking a wrong turn and arriving at the “field of Sunflowers” at a remote mountain top and having to track back to the 2275 it was a nice day’s riding, but very hot.

562km, 10 and half hours.

Day 2. Nov 2

Petchabun to Tha Bo (Baw) Nong Khai

I decided to wake early and leave by 6am with the idea of seeing the “sea of fog” at Phu Hin Rong Kla. The views in the valley on road 2372 before the extremely enjoyable ride up the hairpin bends of road 2331 to the summit were stunning.

At the summit the wind was really strong and bitterly cold and unfortunately no “sea of fog” due to the winds I think. I decided to take a right just before the park entrance which winds its way through Hmong hill tribe touristy area with some nice views down into the valley. Then foolishly I continued downwards with the idea of joining the road to Dan Sai, the road was eventually so bad on the advice of a couple of locals I did a U turn.

After the ride down and getting on road 21 (203), the ride to Dan Sai, Phu Reua and a left on road 2294 to the Lao border road 2195 was a really great with lots of sweeping bends and very little traffic. I continued alongside the Mekong River, through Chiang Khan and onto Tha Bo for the night at my friend’s house.

453 km. 11 hours.

[chrissables]

Day 3 & 4. Nov 3 & 4, relaxed with my friend.

Day 5. Nov 5,

A pleasant ride South from Tha Bo through small country back roads to Si Bun Rueang. Near Chum Phae. I stayed with another friend for a few days.

157 km. 2 hrs

Day 8. Nov 8. Si Bun Rueang to Tak.

Today’s ride was straight forward, South to Chum Phae and West on road 12. I diverted on to road 2216 through Nam Nao National park into thick fog and light rain, before emerging into a sunny day the other side of the mountain. It was then a ride to Lom Sak and road 12 West until Tak. This road is so much better now the resurfacing has been completed.

483 km. 8 ½ hrs

[chrissables]

Day 9. Nov 9. Tak to Kanchanaburi.

I headed South on road 1, taking a right at Kamphaeng Phet, road 1117 and rode South through Lan Sak, Ban Rai arriving on road 3086 at Kanchanaburi.

437 km. 7 ½ hrs

Day 10. Nov 10. Kanchanaburi to Prachuap Kiri Khan

Heading South there was some great riding roads through Dan Makham Tia, Chom Bueng, Ban Kha and Pak Tho. Where I got onto road 4 to Petchaburi. Then I crossed to the coast road through Cha Am, Hua Hin and road 4 to Prachuap Kiri Kan. There great views along the coast road when the karst mountains started.

417 km. 8 hours.

[chrissables]

Day 11. Nov 11. Prachuap Kiri Khan.

I stayed local with a short ride to Ao Prachuap.

I also found a restaurant with double pricing, which gets my blood pressure up. You would think they would know some foreign people can read Thai and understand.

[chrissables]

Day 12. Nov 12. Prachuap Kiri Khan to Don Sak

I followed the coastal road a lot today through Chumpon and Suratthani. It started sunny, but ended up being a long day with many storms, and arriving in the dark and wet I decided to check into the first hotel I could find.

It was very convenient, they even had a curtain to keep your bike parking private, and lots of mirrors to admire yourself in!

As many of you will know, it was a place you take your mistress to for some fun!

So I stocked up with beer and mama cup for a relaxing evening!

480 km. 11 hrs.

[chrissables]

Day 13. Nov 13. Don Sak to Nakhon Si Thammarat

Today was a total wash out, thunderstorms made me wet through and fed up. So I checked into a hotel to dry out.

142 km. 3 hrs.

Day 14. Nov 14. Nakhon Si Thammarat to Pattani.

Again following the coastal road where practical today, there was mile after mile of deserted beaches. After a great seafood lunch at Songkhla I found a hotel in Pattani.

286 km. 6 ½ hrs

[chrissables]

Day 15. Nov 15. Pattini to Betong.

Betong is the Southernmost city in Thailand. I rode through Yala getting onto road 410 which is a nice ride through the mountains, although quite a few roadblock checking for insurgents.

I took a nice detour to Bang Lang Dam, and as I was passing a group of teenagers gathered there I spotted a gun, maybe a hunting rifle, which they scared the crap out of me my firing into the air (I presume). I was most pleased they were not still there on my way out!

213 km. 6 ½ hrs.

[chrissables]

Day 16. Nov 16. Betong.

I fun day today. Firstly I was unable to buy insurance for the bike entering into Malaysia. Secondly, no banks would change Thai baht to Malaysian ringgit. After two hours of trying different hotels as well, I found a pharmacy that would!

Day 17. Nov 17. Betong to Gua Musang, Malaysia.

Leaving Thailand was easy, straight through without losing too much time. In no man’s land, I was subjected to a tirade of shouting and a right bollocking, why? No helmet! I was just carrying it to the border crossing. The policeman was furious, and my usual reaction to these things is to return fire, but better judgment prevailed, I sucked it up, went and bought my insurance and was soon at immigration.

As I was leaving immigration the two officers there who were extremely nice and helpful wished me a good trip and “god save the queen” as a farewell. Which after my earlier bollocking, cheered me up.

Arriving at Gua Musang, with just a thirty minute stop to get out of a storm I found a hotel very easily, but I was not impressed as they allow smoking in the rooms, and think spraying air freshener is better than opening a window!

In addition to that, the hotel had no idea where to buy beer. So I was on a mission for two hours until I found a Chinese restaurant, where I sat and had a few cold ones.

I forgot to note my millage. Approx 350 km

[chrissables]

Day18. Nov 18. Gua Musang to Mersing.

Initially my plan was to stay at Bentung, but due to extremely good roads and an early start I was there about 9.30 in the morning, so I decide to continue and do two day riding in a day.

The route was road 8 South, road 2 East and joining road C8, a small road that runs alongside a river until you hit the coast at Pekan, followed by road 3 South to Mersing.

Having learned from the previous night, my first question to the hotel was “where is where is a Chinese restaurant?” With that sorted it was a relaxing evening after a long day.

612 km. 12 hrs.

Day 19. Nov 19. Mersing to Johor Bahru

Checking the oil first thing, it was extremely low, although the oil light did not come on. A local garage filled the engine up and thought maybe a seal had leaked at the gear shift peg. So I took a slow ride to Johor Bahru, just before Singapore and found a superbike shop.

They did a full check and service, changed oil, filter and brake pads, new tyres front and back, although the front was still usable. I did not want stop and change two times. Also there was a cracking thunderstorm overhead, so I was in no hurry!

Converted into Thai baht, it cost about 16,000 baht.

I found a hotel with beer nearby and had a relaxing evening. I woke up wondering if the mirror or I was drunk!

149 km. 3 hrs riding and 4 hours bike service.

[chrissables]

Day 20. Nov 20. Johor Bahru to Port Dickson.

I decided not to go to the Singapore crossing for a photo as rain was imminent, so I took road 1 North West, meeting road 5 at Melaka and after a lot of searching found a hotel at Port Dickson. Then my credit and debit cards stopped working! Eventually solved the problem, but I hate feeling helpless.

Approx 300 km

Day 21. Nov 21. Port Dickson to Butterworth.

My plan was to ride to the Cameron Highlands and stay a day or two exploring. But I was so disappointed by how tacky it was. After riding through the mossy forest and to the highest point you can drive to in Malaysia, Gunung Brinchang, 2032 meters, I decided to carry on towards Thailand.

Unfortunately I ended up on road 1 with a raging thunderstorm continuing for hours. I was totally soaked through and knackered when I rode into Butterworth. Finding a hotel, a group of Malay Indians took pity on me and asked me to join them for beer while waiting for my room to me cleaned. Really nice people.

508 km. 12 hrs

[chrissables]

Day 22. Nov 22. Butterworth, Thai border and Krabi

I followed road 1 Northwards and eventually crossed the border at Wang Prachan (200 km), a bit slow but no problems. I felt I had arrived home! It was a bit showery but not too bad, and I had a nice ride to Krabi town.

480 km.

Day 23. Nov 23. Rest and laundry day at Krabi

Day 24. Nov 24. Krabi to Phuket

I left Krabi this morning just as it started to rain. I managed to get ahead of it and take a few photo’s at Laem Sak Port, then a wet ride to Phuket.

I found a nice hotel for 1,000 baht at Surin beach.

214 km.

[prestburypark]

Great trip report, good on you for going for it properly, puts my pottering about to shame!

Ride On.

[TuskegeeBen]

Thanks for sharing. Great views and nice pony, btw.

[chrissables]

Day 25. Nov 25. Around Phuket.

Today I rode to Karen view point, and the cape at the tip of Phuket island. Just taking in the views and relaxing.

96 km

[chrissables]

A view of the cape at the tip of Phuket Island

[chrissables]

Day26. Nov 26. Phuket to Ranong

Riding North from Phuket I took the road that leads to Thai Mueang National Park. I stopped to take in the views of deserted white sandy beaches and a turquoise sea.

A further stop at Khao Lak and as I was riding North on road 4 I was nearly wiped out by a cretin in a pickup. I was indicating to turn right into a petrol station and already at the center of the road, as I checked my mirror before continuing the tw#t raced past me on the outside lane.

326 km

[chrissables]

Day 27, Nov 27, Ranong to Prachuap Kiri Khan.

From Ranong it’s a straightforward ride North on road 4 to Chumpon, then Prachuap Kiri Khan. Dodging showers all day.

309 km.

Day 28. Nov 28. Prachuap Kiri Khan to Kanchanaburi.

Today’s route was the same as when I left Kanchanaburi earlier in the trip, but in reverse. For some reason less mileage, probably due to less exploring this time.

I arrived in time to watch the sun set and it was very beautiful to see.

370km

[chrissables]

Day 29. Nov 29. Hellfire Pass, Kanchanaburi

I rode road 323 to the infamous Hellfire Pass today, this is a place you should visit if in the area.

160 km

[chrissables]

Day 30. Nov 30. Si Sawat reservoir.

Leaving Kanchanaburi on road 3199 takes you to the reservoir. It’s a really nice road to ride except for the last 30 km. Another good day out.

245 km

[chrissables]

Day 31. Dec 1. Kanchanaburi to Thong Pha Phum

Road 323 to Thong Pha Phum goes past Hellfire Pass. It is a great motorbike road.

After finding some strange accommodation I rode to the Wachiralongkorn dam nearby. Good views here and I met two American men and an English man, who also lives in Pattaya. They were also on a touring trip. It was nice to chat with some like minded people after a month alone on the road.

185 km

[TuskegeeBen]

currently making copies to my bucket-list photo file. File name is "chrissables trip". Thanks again, for sharing.

[chrissables]

Day 32. Dec 2. Thong Pha Phum to Three Pagoda Pass

Another great road with very light traffic and nice views. I stopped at Sangkhlaburi to have a walk over the Mon wooden bridge, the longest wooden bridge in Thailand.

I then continued to the Three Pagoda Pass, which was a bit of a let down, having expected something a bit more spectacular.

229 km

[chrissables]

currently making copies to my bucket-list photo file. File name is "chrissables trip". Thanks again, for sharing.

Thanks. It was a great, if long trip!

[rhodie]

Some great scenery along the way. But you don't hang around much do you.

[chrissables]

Day 33. Dec 3. Thong Pha Phum to E-Tong Village and Kanchanaburi.

From Thong Pha Phum I headed West past the dam on road 3272 to the Burmese border. The ride is a terrific if slow ride, with some view points to stop at. It was a bit hazy but still good views.

Eventually you arrive at the top of the mountain with the Thai and Burmese flags flying. The village has the great name of “Pilock”.

After a short walk up some steps there are great views down into Burma from here.

After taking in the views I returned down the mountain and to Kanchanaburi.

278 km

[chrissables]

Some great scenery along the way. But you don't hang around much do you.

The trip was 71 days including staying at friends at the beginning and end of the trip. If i had stayed longer i would have taken too long. Also riding alone means i don't do a lot of touristy things.

[chrissables]

Day 35. Dec 5. Tak to Mae Sot

From Tak I rode North on 1107 road, turning West on 1175 over the mountain towards Mae Ramat, which seems to have been cleared of natural vegetation for the sake of growing cabbages. A real shame. And South on 105 to Mae Sot.

155 km

Day 36, 37. Dec 6, 7. Mae Sot, Umpang, Mae Sot.

Although this road, 1090 is slowly being upgraded it is not a pleasant ride due to too many potholes. The views are good weather permitting though.

At the junction with 1206 I rode to the Thai / Burma border and walked about 500 meters into Burma. As I was looking around a young boy ran up to me and gave the biggest hug ever. I had a chat with him and his father and took a couple of photo’s. I still smile to myself now when I think about it.

From Umpang until I got to Chiang Rai I found that most towns and cities are implementing the no drink rule between 1pm and 5pm. Even in restaurants, which seems to be overkill. That along with a lack of anything to do made me decide to return to Mae Sot the following day.

382 km

[chrissables]

Day 38, 39. Dec 8, 9. Mae Sot to Mae Sariang

North on 105 following the bank of the Moei river was pleasant. I took a side trip on road 1215 to the Burmese border boat crossing. Later i stopped at the Rohingya refugee camp to take a few photo’s and chat with a couple of young boys there.

[chrissables]

Carrying along 105 until the turning 1267 up to a great view point. Lots of re-surfacing work being done here too. Then back to the 105 to Mae Sariang where I stayed a few days.

Approx 250 km

[chrissables]

Day 40. Dec 4. Mae Sariang, Mae Sam Laep, Mae Sariang.

This ride along road 1194 is another bad road, but again it’s being upgraded. If you carry on past the turning to the river crossing to Burma, you will find Karen and Lawa Hill Tribe villages.

From there I went to the crossing point on the Salawin river before return to Mae Sariang.

Approx 100 km