It has been six years since I last did the loop and it still feel like it was only last year since I explored Thailand with Bluey.
This time around it was during the burning and hot season in the North Thailand during April. It was definitely not enjoyable as the smog blanketed everything lowering visibility, cause so much throat and eye irritation that all I wanted to do was find a good air-condition with air-purifier hostel to hide away. Even the nights were unbearable barely cooling off.
This time around I did a simple loop avoiding the climb to Doi Inthanon. Riding was also faster now covering more distance in a day than I was used to previously. First day was to Mae Sariang and this time I made a point to do more side detours during the loop.
From Mae Sariang I had a daytrip to the Salawin River. The roads were different and the people as well. Just accross the Salawin River was Myanmar and it felt like this part a little more remote than usual in Thailand.
Ban Rak Thai was layered with brand new buildings built in the Chinese style architecture with more resorts construction on the way for tourist.
Towards Pai was simple enough and after that I rode out of the loop to Chiang Rai. No more awe jaw-droppingly sightings like I had the first time doing the loop but more of a remembrance that the upcoming trip to Central Asia would be amazing like the first time I explored SEA.
Traveled on: Apr 2024
This time around it was during the burning and hot season in the North Thailand during April. It was definitely not enjoyable as the smog blanketed everything lowering visibility, cause so much throat and eye irritation that all I wanted to do was find a good air-condition with air-purifier hostel to hide away. Even the nights were unbearable barely cooling off.
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| Mae Sariang Daily Evening Market |
This time around I did a simple loop avoiding the climb to Doi Inthanon. Riding was also faster now covering more distance in a day than I was used to previously. First day was to Mae Sariang and this time I made a point to do more side detours during the loop.
From Mae Sariang I had a daytrip to the Salawin River. The roads were different and the people as well. Just accross the Salawin River was Myanmar and it felt like this part a little more remote than usual in Thailand.
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| Daytrip to Salawin River |
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| Salawin River the border of Thailand & Myanmar |
My attempt to go through the small jungle road along the Salawin river to emerged into Salawin national park was abandon after 10km or so.
The roads was horrible becoming pure earth path and at the first larger river crossing, I decided the risk was too great and turned around to head back to Mae Sariang.
The roads was horrible becoming pure earth path and at the first larger river crossing, I decided the risk was too great and turned around to head back to Mae Sariang.
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| First River Crossing and I turned around |
From Mae Sariang it was then a day to Mae Hong Son where the beautiful winding roads up and down the mountain became a chore with no scenic view and no fresh air break due to fog
It was a nice reminiscence riding a familiar route. In a way I am now very comfortable just chilling in Thailand. Still there was those few detours I did not knew back then so after Mae Hong Son, I made my way to see the Chinese Regiment Settlement of Ban Rak Thai near the Myanmar border. Everything here felt fake.
It was a nice reminiscence riding a familiar route. In a way I am now very comfortable just chilling in Thailand. Still there was those few detours I did not knew back then so after Mae Hong Son, I made my way to see the Chinese Regiment Settlement of Ban Rak Thai near the Myanmar border. Everything here felt fake.
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| Mae Hong Son |
Ban Rak Thai was layered with brand new buildings built in the Chinese style architecture with more resorts construction on the way for tourist.
A disappointment but it was in a way expected since the village had nothing much to offer young sprouts to stay and the little novelty it had was just enough to suck in tourist for some extra income.
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| Ban Rak Thai |
Towards Pai was simple enough and after that I rode out of the loop to Chiang Rai. No more awe jaw-droppingly sightings like I had the first time doing the loop but more of a remembrance that the upcoming trip to Central Asia would be amazing like the first time I explored SEA.
Traveled on: Apr 2024
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