Once I got to Fang I had a ride round, because as I was riding in the first impressions were not good…my assumptions were good and it wasn't very good, I only saw one decent hotel and there was not a great deal in the town. I had a decision to make, stay in Fang or carry on to CR

CR it was, So I travelled about 5 clicks back in the direction I had just come from then turned onto the 108, straight on to a long straight road, I was hoping that this wasn’t it for the next 100 k’s give or take. I wasn’t disappointed, after about 5 K’s the bends started, it was one of the better roads I have been on

IMG_0627 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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Eventully got to CR at around 1500hrs and stopped for a drink and looked for a room. Settled on the Red Rose, they have themed rooms. Awesome, and all for the sum of 500 Bht or 10 GBP. Coords N 19.53601 E 099.49779

Staying here for at least 2 nights, maybe 3 as there are a couple things I want to do.

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The rooms

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Day 9 Chiang Rai local

Stayed local round CR today and visited 2 temples

The Black House (Temple) or Thawan Duchanee is about 10 K’s north of CR, coords N19.59516 E099.51617
It is a bizarre temple but well worth a visit. It reminds me of more of an Occult Temple rather than one to worship a Budda. It was very interesting walking around, and you must look at the toilet! A bit strange I know but it was filled with Phalic symbols, brought tears to my eyes just looking!
I would recommend it anyone visiting the area, and considering its a Sunday it wasn’t very busy.

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The Toilet

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Phalic Symbols

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The White Temple or Wat Rong Khun is about 10 K’s south of CR, coords N19.49447 E099.45766

Again I would recommend this if you are coming to CR. It is quite a new build compared to some of the other Temples in the area but the work that has gone in to it is very good.
The main hall has a budda in it but you cant take photos inside, and its shoes off before you go in.
There are also a lot of tourist type shops to look in as well as a very small museum, where at the end you can watch the craftsmen working.

IMG_0763 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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Eventully got to CR at around 1500hrs and stopped for a drink and looked for a room. Settled on the Red Rose, they have themed rooms. Awesome, and all for the sum of 500 Bht or 10 GBP. Coords N 19.53601 E 099.49779

Staying here for at least 2 nights, maybe 3 as there are a couple things I want to do.

IMG_0655 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Does that bed go round and round like in Austin Powers movie? That bed + F00k Me and F00kYu sisters ... Yah baby!!!

Really enjoy your report and photos.

Eventully got to CR at around 1500hrs and stopped for a drink and looked for a room. Settled on the Red Rose, they have themed rooms. Awesome, and all for the sum of 500 Bht or 10 GBP. Coords N 19.53601 E 099.49779

Staying here for at least 2 nights, maybe 3 as there are a couple things I want to do.

IMG_0655 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Does that bed go round and round like in Austin Powers movie? That bed + F00k Me and F00kYu sisters ... Yah baby!!!

Really enjoy your report and photos.

No it didn't, would have been good if it did

Glad you're enjoying it

Caps

Day 10 Chiang Rai local area

Had a good relaxed day today, but still went out for a bit of a ride. I did some tracks just to the NW of Chiang Rai. Just nice and steady, nothing too strenuous as I was on my own. All the same it was enjoyable.
Setting of for further up north tomorrow and passed the Golden Triangle area.

Day 10 Chinag Rai local area by Wayne 66, on Flickr

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Day 11 Chiang Rai to Mae Sai

Had a steady ride to Mae Sai today.

Day 11 Chiang Rai to Mae Sai by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Day 11 Chiang Rai to Mae Sai1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

I didn’t go straight up north on route 1, instead I took a more scenic route going north east on the 1232 the on to CHR 4013. I stopped along side the River Kok for a while.

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From there I crossed the River Kok and went on to the CHR 4050. This took me on to the 1209. Once I got on to the 1098 I came across a really nice Temple area, Wat Muen Budda Mettakhunaram
Coords from the Montana N20.16547 E99.99552. There was a massive Budda sat on top of a large mound.

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Where the 1098 meets up with the 1016 I stopped for my breakfast in Ban Nong Khrok, had a really nice noodle soup, noodles and offal in a soup mix, sounds disgusting but it tasted good.

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Then it was on to the CHR 4001 heading in a northerly direction still I picked up the CHR 1009/1290 straight in to Mae Sai

All in all not a bad route and it was a lot better than sitting on a main road.

Once in Mae Sai it was coffee time and a chance to look for some accommodation. Looked on the usual sites and decided on Kong Kam House, coords from the Montana N20.44442 E99.88199, a nice room for 500 Bht

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General Pics of Mae Sai

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Looking at the border with Myanmar

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The Border Gate

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Looking back from the border gate

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Just had to...it was waving at me

Went out for a wander and came across Wat Phra That Doi Wao at the top of a lot of steps. It was worth going to the top and having a look. There is a good view once you get up there, so its well worth the climb. There is a road if you are on a bike or in a vehicle.

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The steps up

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Looking back down

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I don't know what the scorpion has to do with the Temple

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Myanmar

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Thailand (you can see the border crossing point with the blueish roof on the left)

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Day 12 Mae Sai to Chiang Khong

I had a really good day today and saw some really great sights.

Day 12 Mae Sai to Chiang Khong by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Day 12 Mae Sai to Chiang Khong1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

I didn’t go straight down the 1290 instead I took a lot of back roads and followed the Ruak River keeping it on my left, this was one a little road which ran between the CHR 1041 and the 1290.

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Eventually I had to take the 1290 and I passed through a village called Ban Wang Lao, just through the village I climbed a hill to look at the view and take some photos

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Ban Wang Lao in the distance

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The first view of the mighty Mekong River

Then it was on to the Golden Triangle area on the 1290, me and the trusty CRF made it after covering 2000km what a journey it been so far and the journey is still only half way through.

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Where the Ruak River meets the Mekong River

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The Golden Triangle

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Laos

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Myanmar on left and Laos on right

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Back on the 1290 all the way to Chiang Saen where I stopped and had some breakfast, a nice American Breakfast (as they called it), not a bad spread for a couple of quid.

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Once out of Chiang Saen I ended up on the 1129 for awhile before going on to the CHR 4007 following the edge of the Mighty Mekong River as close as I could over my left shoulder

Came across this Wat/Temple on a hill, couldn't find a name, but what a view from the top

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Getting the boots wet in the Mekong River

I stayed on the CHR 4007 till I got back to the 1129 and visited a Coffee House/ Restaurant called The View, coords N20.34001 E100.3741,

and yes it was a great view. So I sat and chilled with a small Singar looking across the Mekong River looking into Laos.

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A Beer with a view of Laos, great

Edited May 28, 201610 yr by Caps

Once I had left there it was a 9km run into Chiang Khong

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I had already done my research on places to stay and opted for the Nam Khong Riverside Hotel, a room with a great view, sat on my balcony over looking the Mekong and looking into Houayxay in Laos and I could see the old French Fort that I want to visit when I get over there.

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The view from my balcony for Christmas Day

Chilling here now for Christmas Day, moving on on Boxing Day to go to the Border Crossing for Laos. Then I will see if my paperwork works!?

Day 13 Chiang Khong

Had a great Christmas Day. I spent it at The Hub Pub, the Pub is owned and run by a guy from Liverpool called Alan and his wife May, as well as the pub they also have a hostel next door to the pub. It was a day when total strangers, including some locals just had a good time eating and drinking
I was made to feel welcome, the hospitality of Alan and May was great
If you are in the area I would recommend popping in for food, drink, or a good old cheap bed for the night

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Alan

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May

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Coords

Nice.

Northern Thailand & Laos = best riding anywhere.

Day 14 Chiang Khong to Thung Chang via Thoeng

Woke up to this, a good view before a good days ride.

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What a ride I had through some great countryside and mountain climbs with lots of bends.

Day 14 Chiang Khong to Thung Chang via Thoeng by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Day 14 Chiang Khong to Thung Chang via Thoeng 1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

I set off from Chiang Khong at around 0815hrs as I knew it was going to be a long day to get to my destination Chiang Klang, but I ended up in a place called Thung Chang

From Chaing Khong is took the 1020 then I went on to the 1155 which was a really good road through the mountains with some terrific views.

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I went into Thoeng to visit a guy from the Netherlands who lives in the area, I have been in touch with him from the Rideasia site, I had some very nice coffee and some Christmas bread and his hospitality was great, Thank you.

Once I has left his house I used the 1021 and then the 1148, again through the mountains, towards Chiang Klang,

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Edited May 29, 201610 yr by Caps

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I did my usual ride through the little town to see what was happening , not a lot, as I could not find any place to sleep in Chiang Klang or and good eateries I decided to push on a bit further and I needed fuel and I got a petrol station from the Satnav which was a bout 2 k’s away. After that was a place called Thung Chang which after sitting and having a Mocha Frappe and asking for hotels I managed to get the place where i am now, The Nice Bungalows in Thung Chang....coords N19.41831 E100.87993, not a bad room, got a bed and shower room with the all important Wifi.

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Tomorrow is the short journey to the border and on into Laos, fingers crossed. Going to get there nice and early as I don’t know how long it will take to cross.

Day 15 Thung Chang, Thailand to Sayaboury, Laos

Up and out early so I could get to the border sooner rather than later. The ride from Thung Chang to to the Thailand/Laos border crossing certainly woke me up, it was really cold and covered in mist in the hills, route 101 which took me straight in to the crossing was a nice road with lots of ups and downs with the usual bends and twists.

Day 15 Thung Chang to Sayaboury, Laos by Wayne 66, on Flickr

Day 15 Thung Chang to Sayaboury, Laos1 by Wayne 66, on Flickr

When I got to the border it was already very busy, there was a market there also and a lots of people buying and selling goods.

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The Customs Building Thailand

I went straight to the departures window at the passport control and gave then my passport, arrivals card and the copies of the paperwork given to me by the rental people. In return he gave me some paperwork to fill out which was something to do with me being allowed back in with me taking one of there bikes out of the country. One of the guys behind the desk was f\very helpful and came outside to fill it in for me (sorted). Once that was done they stamped me out of the country and then sent me to customs with the other half of the paperwork I had with me. Again they were very helpful in the office and there was no messing about. I was given my customs paperwork, he pointed out that I have to be back in Thailand no later than the 25 Jan 15 or face a fine, and then told have a good trip.

So armed with my passport, Information of Conveyance letter from Immigration and my Customs form I went down the hill to leave Thailand.
No problems, I was waved through once they had seen all my paperwork.
Got to the Laos Border, the guy there looked at all my paperwork and pointed out that they had put the 26 Dec on the Information of Conveyance letter and the correct date in my passport, the 27th
So I was sent back to the Thai border to get it sorted.
Back at the Laos Border post, I was this time let through.
Went to the arrivals office where I had to get a visa on arrival, so after filling in an arrivals card and paying $35 I was given my Laos Visa for 30 days. Next up was customs, Gave them my passport and the Customs paperwork and Information of Conveyance letter from Thailand and in a few minutes I was given a green TIPV and parted with 200 Bht.

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Laos Customs in the wooden hut

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The Visa Office, Laos

That was it all done, off I went to the last Laos Border control point where they checked my paperwork and I was them allowed through. I left a parting gesture of a unopened packet of Oreo biscuits which he was quite happy with.