Lone Rider
Blokes Who Can
Dok Bua Thong or the Sunflower fields
Known as Dok Bua Thong in Thai, these fields of wild sunflowers are in bloom in November and December and, since sunflowers are rare in these parts, are popular with local tourists.
The flowers originated in Central America, but were apparently brought to Thailand and planted by missionaries in the mid-1900s. The flowers grow in several areas in Mae Hong Son, but one of the most densely growing areas and popular is on the slopes of Doi Mae U-Kho, a short drive from Khun Yuam town. Do note that the flowering season is short and obviously varies slightly from year to year.
There are several ways of getting there. From Mae Hongson take Rd 108 to the south and at Khun Yuam head west along Rd 1263 for about 7.5 km and then head north along road 4009 for about 14 km. The junction is well signposted so you can not miss it. Alternatively you can reach the sunflowers from Chiangmai via Mae Chaem - Rd 108 south to Chomthong, Rd. 1009 up Doi Inthanon and then Rd. 1192 to Mae Chaem and Rd. 1088/1263 west to the same junction mentioned earlier.
There is also an alternative way which is not for the fainthearted as the road is very steep. This road starts from Rd. 108 south of Mae Hongson and heads east just past Ban Huai Pong - turnoff is at N19.00871 E97.97440. The road (Rd. 4009/3017) is paved all the way (via Ban Nong Khaew) or, if you head south-east at N18.99115 E98.04801 (about 11.2 km. from the turnoff from Rd. 108) you will be on an unpaved track which links with the paved road (at N18.94762 E98.06605) just a bit north of the Mae Surin waterfall.
The track profile from Rd. 108 to Ban Nong Khaew to the sunflower field and Rd. 1263. The track is very steep at places with lots of very tight switch-backs and very steep drop-offs.
The paved road in blue with the unpaved part staring south of Ban Nong Khaew and linking with the paved road near the Mae Surin waterfall
The Mae Surin Waterfall at N18.94079 E98.06894
You basically have the road for yourself as the road is too steep for the minivans but watch out for the locals on their motorbikes who, just like you, do not expect any other traffic on this road. I took this road on my way back from Mae Hongson to Chiangmai - just some pictures from the trip.
Views from Rd. 108
The newly paved Rd. 4009
Views south from Rd. 4009
Rd. 4009 goes via Ban Nong Khaew and the Nong Khaew reservoir
The Nong Khaew Reservoir at N19.01786 E98.06894
Some of the ricefiels down in the valleys along the road
Dok Bua Thong at Mae U-Kor at N18.89389 E98.08997 The sunflowers were not yet in full bloom but probably in a week or two they should all be flowering
Dok Bua Thong in full bloom
On the way from the sunflower fields to Mae Chaem you are in "corn" country
Tremendous views along Rd. 1263
Known as Dok Bua Thong in Thai, these fields of wild sunflowers are in bloom in November and December and, since sunflowers are rare in these parts, are popular with local tourists.
The flowers originated in Central America, but were apparently brought to Thailand and planted by missionaries in the mid-1900s. The flowers grow in several areas in Mae Hong Son, but one of the most densely growing areas and popular is on the slopes of Doi Mae U-Kho, a short drive from Khun Yuam town. Do note that the flowering season is short and obviously varies slightly from year to year.
There are several ways of getting there. From Mae Hongson take Rd 108 to the south and at Khun Yuam head west along Rd 1263 for about 7.5 km and then head north along road 4009 for about 14 km. The junction is well signposted so you can not miss it. Alternatively you can reach the sunflowers from Chiangmai via Mae Chaem - Rd 108 south to Chomthong, Rd. 1009 up Doi Inthanon and then Rd. 1192 to Mae Chaem and Rd. 1088/1263 west to the same junction mentioned earlier.
There is also an alternative way which is not for the fainthearted as the road is very steep. This road starts from Rd. 108 south of Mae Hongson and heads east just past Ban Huai Pong - turnoff is at N19.00871 E97.97440. The road (Rd. 4009/3017) is paved all the way (via Ban Nong Khaew) or, if you head south-east at N18.99115 E98.04801 (about 11.2 km. from the turnoff from Rd. 108) you will be on an unpaved track which links with the paved road (at N18.94762 E98.06605) just a bit north of the Mae Surin waterfall.
The track profile from Rd. 108 to Ban Nong Khaew to the sunflower field and Rd. 1263. The track is very steep at places with lots of very tight switch-backs and very steep drop-offs.
The paved road in blue with the unpaved part staring south of Ban Nong Khaew and linking with the paved road near the Mae Surin waterfall
The Mae Surin Waterfall at N18.94079 E98.06894
You basically have the road for yourself as the road is too steep for the minivans but watch out for the locals on their motorbikes who, just like you, do not expect any other traffic on this road. I took this road on my way back from Mae Hongson to Chiangmai - just some pictures from the trip.
Views from Rd. 108
The newly paved Rd. 4009
Views south from Rd. 4009
Rd. 4009 goes via Ban Nong Khaew and the Nong Khaew reservoir
The Nong Khaew Reservoir at N19.01786 E98.06894
Some of the ricefiels down in the valleys along the road
Dok Bua Thong at Mae U-Kor at N18.89389 E98.08997 The sunflowers were not yet in full bloom but probably in a week or two they should all be flowering
Dok Bua Thong in full bloom
On the way from the sunflower fields to Mae Chaem you are in "corn" country
Tremendous views along Rd. 1263
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