Day 1.
On the 14th December 2008, we start our journey as early as 5am and as usual the RV point at R&R Rawang. 6 person turn out for this trip. Suhairy (GS12adv), Sharif (GS12Adv), Wai Kong (GS12Adv), Hafiz (Caponad), Eri (GTR 1400) & myself with my red Versys. Once all set, we ride to the border. The first stop were Hat Yai. Distance was 533 km. Travelling using North South Highway were a bit bored because it has been rode by us so many time.
Day 2.
From Hat Yai we took highway 41 to Chumphon. The ride is a bit bored. The road condition are good with a good tarmac and the traffic are low during that time. We reach Chumphon 470km north of Hat Yai.
@Chumphon Train Station
Day 3.
At 7am local time, we took route highway 4 then we turn left to route 3291 before not so long we took route 3087 which it lead us direct to town of Kanchanaburi, our destination. At route 3087, the view has been change and at this moment it was totally new to us. The fact is, for this trip, non of us has been to this place. The road condition are very good and the view are getting better compare to highway 4. Kanchanaburi, 480 km from Chumphon. We reach this area around 5pm.
After check in, we immediately take a short trip using a tut tut to the Bridge of River Kwai. The historic place during WWII.
@hotel in Kanchanaburi
Day 4.
An early start from Mueng Kanchanaburi. A quick refueling at ESSO just pass by the town on route 314 toward U Thong. It's really a total new view for me, this is the first time I ride this far and the view along this route were stunning gold color of a paddy field as far as the eye can see. Unfortunately we did not stop for any photo. Now I realize how unfortunate am I for not taken any photo. :(.
Once we reach U Thong, we took route 321 towards Suphan Buri before turn to route 340 to Chai Nat. Riding in these Central Thailand we can see most of the area are being use for agriculture industry. One thing that I realize is that, the farmer here will diversify and optimize their land with multiply kind of crops. We can see the area being plant for rice, corn and event live stock i.e. Chicken & buffalo. Which this scenario were not be found in our county.
Route 340 lead us to highway 1 and just entering to Nakhon Sawan we took a by pass road on route 122 and we did not have to enter to the heart of Nakhon Sawan town before it join back to highway 1. Another stop for refueling and also feeding time :).
We continue the ride toward Tak. Road condition on highway 1 to Tak were mixed. Since the road were use by lots of heavy vehicle, the road surface were bumpy till Kampheang Phet. But the condition turn to a very flat and smooth tarmac toward Tak. Just before Tak, we turn left to route 105 to Mae Sot.
During this time (December 2008), route 105 were still under construction for few kilometer. Then, the straight road it turn to a twisted road. But due to some area the tarmac being patch, the ride need to be in full concentration. We did stop by for refreshment at a view point. The view from the point were very stunning with a green view of the highland.
We reach Mae Sot around 6pm local time and immediately we search for a muslim food and we found one in the stall area at the town. Since in this trip we did not have any fixed accommodation and the night were just near by, it's time for searching again. Then the adventure begin. Night fall, we still do not have any place to stay. After about searching for hours and asking around, we found a guest house for the night. The price were very cheap then, for 6 of us, we only being charge for about 1000 baht. mmmm.. lucky I think.. :)
Day 5.
This the day, we will be facing the famous road for among the bikers. It's call a Thousand Curve. As a preparation, Akong who act as our mechanic on this trip, check all bike to make sure the condition of the bike were in a very good condition. After short briefing, we start the ride as early as 6:30am. It was a freezing morning on route 105 with the fog are still tick, we can't see in front of us. The visibility just about 10 meter. Are we make a right decision to ride this early..?? Well.. just ride and be more alert then. For about 30 km, it was a pleasant ride then the road are getting smaller to just 12 feet width from both end.
It was among the very valuable experience ride on this route. In the foggy morning, we pass by the refugee camp along the border with Myanmar. Did not stop anywhere even though there is a lots of beautiful place. In my mind keep asking why we did not stop for photo.. arrggghhhh... what a waste. But I think because non of us are really know the condition of this area, we just ride on. But in my mind said, I'll be coming back here one day and that time I will do all the missing part of this ride.
In the middle of the route, there is a massive road construction and the whole road are being pack with all the heavy equipment and the tarmac are totally gone and not a gravel. We stop for a moment to evaluate the situation since we do not know how far it could be. Then one of the construction worker came by and told us that this off road kind of thing will be at least for few kilometer. Luckily, most of us a riding dual purpose bike except Eri on his GTR. Yes, the GTR are a bit struggling to go thru this condition but with the positive attitude and also encouragement from the member, we manage to pass this.
Route 105 are a small and twisted road in the middle of the mountain toward Mae Sariang. Once we are climbing up, the road condition are full of pot holes and also with a sharp curve that require full focus. We did stop by to rest at I of the hill tribe village, it was damp tough back there.
We reach Mae Sariang around noon and did the refueling and a lunch there. Just half way to go.
Lunch done, time to ride again. We took route 108 to Mae Hong Song. I think the twisted road has finish, but it was wrong. The 108, were much more twisted but with the wide road and the good tarmac surface, the journey is very fun. Taken a curve with like no ending is very much fun for us. Again, my mind keep telling me that u should stop for photo... if not u must came back again. :).
After 300km with early start and less than 5 stop, we reach to Mae Hong Son at 5pm. What a ride!! Check in at Mountain Inn hotel and rest. Dinner at about 7pm at next to the only masque in this area.
At night we went to the night market. Lots of thing being sold and the weather are a bit cold since MHS are situated at the highland. Have a talk with the local trader at the night market and he told us that the 1084 curve is being track from Chiang Mai and not from Mae Sot or Mae Sariang. He also a bit surprise because not many tourist would took the 105 road. What a surprise then!! Mean we have to face another twisted road again tomorrow.
Shooping time :)
At TAT, MHS
Day 6
After checking the map and GPS, today the ride will be about another 300km and 1084 curve to face off. After registered at Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) and collect the certificate of completing the curve we proceed to face the challenging Thousand Curve.
We continue on route 108 which then join with route 1095. It was a very fun twisted road along the way. This kind of twisted are not be found in our country, the feeling while riding this route a very much fun with all kind of curve to went thru. Riding downhill are much more challenging compare to uphill. Since this is a mountainous and with to much twisted road it required another full concentration of riding. At few time, the bike will slip off during taken the curve due to oily and bumpy road. Yes, it was very challenging road on route 1095. U name it, U, Z, L, V & combination of it kind of curve can be found here. To make more challenging, the curve are short and sharp.But with Versys, I can handle the situation much better.I love this bike.
After short break and refueling in Pai, we proceed to the end of 1095 route before take route 107 to Chiang Mai.
In Chiang Mai we stay at PornPing Tower Hotel. It was a very good location since it were near to the night market and also near to halal food restaurant.
Yes, I made it safe & sound to Chiang Mai from Mae Hong Son
Day 7,8,9 & 10
Chiang Mai were the second largest city in Thailand. We spend 4D/3N here. On the 1st day here, the unwanted incident happen.. That morning, I & Hafiz are having a food poising decease. It was a very painful and Hafiz are more worse condition which he vomit uncontrollable. Both of us just resting in our room and the other member try to sought this out. After taken some medicine that they buy at the pharmacy, my condition being improve. Once I can walk again and the painful stomachs very subside, we went to see the doctor for better diagnosis. After a better medical care, I am recovered in the next day. Lucky me...
During our stay, the bike were resting and we did the activity what other tourist will do...
White water rafting in Chiang Mai
ATV ride
At the tribe culture village
Day 11.
After recovering and resting in Chiang Mai for 4D/3N, we continue the trip. From Chiang Mai we took route 118 and shift to Highway 1 to Chiang Rai. With the good road condition on this route we proceed to Chiang Sean on route 1016. Once the we reach Chiang Sean we took route 1290 to Golden Triangle. After few photo we proceed the ride till Mae Sai. We reach Mae Sai around 4pm and having our late lunch here.
At The Golden Triangle
In front of the border complex at Mae Sai
Day 12
From Mae Sai, the northern tip of Thailand, we proceed south using Highway 1 until Ngao then route 103 to Phre then route 101 to Den Chai before again we shift to route 11 to Phitsanulok. 470km ride for the day.Day 13.
From Phitsanulok, we continue the trip to our next destination which is Pattaya. We took route 11 to Bangkok. Once reach the Bangkok outskirt, we accidentally took the route to Motorway. Since only 1 person have the GPS and we rode base on it, we have enter the Motorway in order to Pattaya. The funny thing is that at the toll gate, we pay the toll, at least we pay for 3 toll before being stop by their highway police which then order us to exit the highway. Hehehe... At least we are among the few bikers that has rode in Motorway. The 6 lane highway was a very good highway, we rode with the speed of 190 - 200 constantly.
Day 14 & 15
Stay in Pattaya for 3D/2N. Again rest after a long journey from Mae Sai & Phitsanulok.
Day 16
Time to ride again, In Chonburi, we face another problem. We can;t find our way out. The GPS has not give a good direction once there is a multiple flyover. After 2 hours scouting the route, we stop and at last ask a taxi to lead us out. Then we ride thru Samut Prakan then Samut Songkhram before back to highway 4 all the way to Surat Thani. The distance is about 790 km
Day 17
Surat Thani to Hatyai is about 340km. It just a leisure ride back.
Day 18
Hat Yai to home sweet home.
Conclusion.
This is my 1st long range trip to Northern Thailand. The experience during this are very much valuable for me. Ride with a group of friend who like a brother to me.
Thanks Suhairy, Shariff & Akong for your kind to share your riding experience with myself, Hafiz & Eri (the newbe).
It was a sweet memories & when I think about it, there always a smile. You guys has change my way of riding style.
I'll be riding again to this place one day...
