THAILAND MOTORCYCLE TOUR

Chiang Rai – Thaton

From Chiang Rai we make a short ride to the mighty Mekong River at the legendary Golden Triangle where the three borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet. We will ride up to the view point from where we have a great panoramic view of the Golden Triangle. There is an opium museum close by for those who are interested to learn more about the opium trade in this area not so long ago. Entrance fee Baht 50. Optional boat ride on the Mekong River, 1,5 hours including stop in Laos, cost for boat, Baht 1200, Entrance to Laos, Baht 50. No stop in Laos, 40 minutes.

From the Golden Triangle we continue to Mae Sai, the most northern point of Thailand and one of the main border crossings to Myanmar.

From Mae Sai we ride up the mountains to Doi Tung and Doi Mae Salong on yet more amazingly twisty mountainous roads. Doi Mae Salong is a Chinese settlement which was built by a division of the Chinese Nationalist Army that refused to surrender to Chinese communists after the Nationalist Kuomintang government was routed in 1949. Today the village still offers a native Chinese cuisine, lovely houses with flowers and countless tea plantations as far as the eyes can see.

The final part of today’s route will take us along gentle hills through rice paddies and farm villages. We follow the Kok River for a while before you turn left to your resort at Thaton. Enjoy a cold drink and stretch your legs by the pool. Overnight in Thaton.

Thaton – Pai

Another great motorcycle day is ahead of us. After breakfast we ride up the hill in Thaton and enjoy a splendid view from Wat Thaton over the town and the vicinity. We follow the main road Nr. 107 and have a coffee break at the Hmong fruit market. Lunch in Chiang Dao with a beautiful view at the Limestone Mountains in the back.

At Mae Tang we turn right on 1095 and cross the mountains from to Pai. This is the beginning of the road to Mae Hong Son, famous for having 1864 bends of varying sharpness. Before we reach our hotel we stop at an Elephant Camp near Pai, Charge Baht 1000, photo with Elephant. Once in Pai, enjoy the pool at the resort, stroll down along the walking street etc.

Relax by the pool at hotel before we dine at a local restaurants along the walking street. The whole area is littered with restaurants, bars, food stalls etc. We will explore and enjoy. We stay overnight in Pai.

Note;

Pai is the hippie capital of South East Asia. It’s a town full of diversity and contradictions. There are back packers, tourists with suite cases, people who once came and never left. Mixed from all corners of the earth, all walks of life and age groups. This little town is full of bars with live music. Enjoy!

Overnight in Pai.

Pai – Mae Hong Son

Today is a rather relaxed riding day. You will only ride for about 180 km. This is also the second part of the road famous for its 1864 bends of varying sharpness. We pass two mountains with 2 nice scenic View Points en route. The journey takes us through some beautiful mountainous scenery. Around mid-day we arrive Ban Rak Thai where we have lunch in one of the local Chinese restaurants by the little lake. They serve delicious Chinese specialties. Ban Rak Thai means literally “the Thai-loving village”, built around a lake on the Myanmar border. About 800, mainly Chinese settled here after the communist takeover of China and some of the buildings have a distinctively Chinese appearance.

Next destination is the pier were we park our motorcycles. Enjoy a scenic boat ride on the Pai River for about 20 min to the Karen Long Neck village (http://www.huaypukeng.com/info_visitor.htm). The Karen, a tribal minority, historically lived in the hills on the Myanmar side of the border. Some of their women wear heavy brass rings around their necks, forearms, and shins. Many ideas regarding why the coils are worn have been suggested. Some have hypothesized that the rings protected women from becoming slaves by making them less attractive to other tribes. Another theory is that the coils originate from the desire to look more attractive. Entrance fee, Baht 250 / person. Boat, return, Baht 800, boat can carry 6 pax.

Return by boat to the pier and ride to the nearby Fern Resort, a lovely resort in the middle of rice paddies. Enjoy first a drink at the sunset bar overlooking the rice paddies and then dinner at the resort. If still some energy left, take a drink at the bond fire. We stay overnight at Fern Resort near Mae Hong Son. 

Mae Hong Son – Chiang Mai

In the morning we leave Mae Hong Son behind and ride to Khun Yuam. It is a great winding road with wide bends. In Khun Yuam we visit the local Museum. The Imperial Japanese Army troops were stationed in Khun Yuam during the construction of a highway intended to cross Burma to India. Tip: Ask the museum staff to show the video about the history (approx. 10 min, included). Next to the museum there is a great Coffee Shop and a 7/11 store. 

From Khun Yuam we continue to Mae Chaem on great twisty back roads. Lunch at a little local restaurant. We continue up to the top of Doi Inthanon, which at 2,565 meters is the highest mountain in Thailand. Entrance to National Park, Baht 300 / person plus Baht 20 / Motorcycle.

Next stop is the Wachiratharn Waterfall – an impressive and powerful 80 m high waterfall. From here we ride the last part of Doi Inthanon national park. Once down in the valley we have another 50 km to our Service Center in Chiang Mai were we expect to arrive around 5 PM. Transfer to your hotel in Chiang Mai followed by farewell dinner. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Depart from Chiang Mai

With a head full of happy memories and a phonebook full of new friends, we say goodbye to Thailand.