A Quick Run to Chiang Mai from Siam Reap in Four Days

I think I was possessed. I left Siam Reap heading straight for the border of O’Smach. There was not much to be said about this border crossing since it was just another repeat. 

Exit Cambodia. Customs TIP Surrender on Right Building then Immigration Exit on Left Building

Only new thing was that the new Cambodian Temporary Import Permit for the bike was surrendered to customs and after stamping out Immigration it was then onwards to Thailand side to repeat the same procedure to stamp in and get a new TIP.

The plan was to stay a night near the border in Surin Province. Riding though the city of Surin at early afternoon since the border crossing was way faster than expected, I decided to push on since I still had four hours of sunlight. 

I actually aimed for a small little village near the Mun river under the municipal of Thatum but upon arrival, all the guesthouse was full.

Roi Et Tower Landmark 

Annoyed that there was no place to stay, I continued on and by the time I settle back into a familiar hotel in Roi Et, it was already sunset and I had done a good 500km from Siam Reap + a border crossing on the same day. 

It would probabaly be the fastest distance covering journey I had ever done with a motorbike in SEA. The momentum and pace continued for the next few days since I was in the zone.

Skip hop to Petchabun to camp a night in Phu Thap Buek mountains before riding through Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park and staying in yet another small little village called Pa Daeng Sub District in Phitsanulok.

Camping in Phu Thap Buek 

Staying at Pa Daeng Sub-District 

Riding Through Uttaradit Rice Fields 

One more day and I was in Lampang within a stone throw of Chiang Mai already. It took me only four days to get here to Lampang covering more than 1000km and I did not even feel exhausted. 

It was the 11 April 2024, and Thai New Year which is also known as the Water Festival would start on 13 April 2024 but what I did not realized that the pre new year festival had already started.

Pre-Battle Songkran in Lampang 

Lampang was already in pre-battle mode and I was skirting very close to be bombarded with water shots before I could even reach Chiang Mai. I took a long detour through smaller road to Chaing Mai going north first near Chae Son National Park and managed to stay dry all the way to the hostel in Chiang Mai.

Just in time to see the biggest festival in Thailand in one of the most cultural city in the North.

Are you Ready for Songkran ? 

Traveled on : Apr 2024