Golden Triangle loop with some new places

[KTMphil]

We had to distribute some maps around the region, so it seemed a good idea with the great crisp weather after the rain to do a loop around the Thailand border

The route we took from Chiang Mai is below, basically an anti-clockwise loop around some of north Thailand's border in the Golden Triangle region.


View attachment 14228




...more to come

 

[KTMphil]

First destination was supposed to be Nan, but a late start meant we only made Phayao before dark, staying at the Phutong Palace Hotel, Phayao

phutong place phayao -

Co-ords:


N19.17413

E99.90156



500 Bht it's great value for the clean rooms, the only downside is it's not easy walking distance from the lake.


View attachment 14229




The views from the hotel over the lake and mountains are great

 

[KTMphil]

There's a great new restaurant in Phayao right on the lake called "So Good", co-ords:


N 19.179818881098477

E 99.884400920066



19.179818881098477,99.884400920066 - Google Maps



More details here:

SO GOOD @ phayao.


Good food, ambiance & live music, obviously get the fish.


View attachment 14231


The place was packed

 

[KTMphil]

Being just over an hour west of Chiang Muan, we decided to skip breakfast in Phayao and head for the famous "Qwad Diew Pet" (duck soup) restaurant in Chiang Muan.

NOTE R 1251 east of Phayao is currently being resurfaced, not good for sports bikes at all, find another way east to Nan.

The "Qwad Diew Pet" (duck soup) restaurant is at co-ords in Chiang Muan:


N18.88837

E100.28608

Ask for no fat on the duck, this place does some of the best duck soup in Thailand

 

[KTMphil]

Arriving in Nan, we gave the all-new "Poom Pern 2 GH" a shot, 350 bht incl aircon., brand new, excellent value for money. Take the turn 50 meters north of the Grand Mansion GH turn and it will take you 500 meters to the Poom Pern 2 GH, co-ords:



N18.78600

E100.77831

Brand new clean rooms

 

[KTMphil]

Huge dinner at Tony's Place (co-ords: N18.79889 E100.79089) in Nan, sleep, then breakfast at Hot Bread in Nan (co-ords: N18.77529 E100.76969) to deliver some Nan printed maps.

 

[KTMphil]

A beautiful day in Nan, we went over and took a look around the famous 320 year old, Wat Pumin in the center of Nan

It turned out to be a lucky day to visit as they were welcoming a new "Chief Monk" to the temple that day.

The colors of the monk's robes with the ancient murals on the walls were an interesting blend

If you haven't visited Wat Pumin in Nan it's pretty special

 

[KTMphil]

Walking around, it was lovely to see the traditional dress still in use

Then into the devils quarter in Wat Pumin where the Thai's try show what will happen to you if you're bad. This first one must be for gossips

Then other kinds of wrong-doing

 

[KTMphil]

After Wat Pumin, it was off up R 1148 north west to Chiang Khong. We were trying to stay & eat in different places to what we normally would, David Bailey, a Chiang Khong resident suggested that the River House GH would be a good place to try, so we did.


Beautiful rooms on the Mekong River in Chiang Khong, 1,000 bht. Co-ords:

N20.25964

E100.40894


-Turn down to the river at the main immigration office in town.

 

[KTMphil]

Dinner in Chiang Khong, David says the NamKhong Riverside is tough to beat, try the shrimp fried rice in the hollowed out pineapple, a meal in itself

Great views up and down the Mekong from this restaurant/ resort too.

HDR setting

 

[KTMphil]

The next day, the plan was to hit the Golden Triangle (where the borders of Thailand, Laos & Myanmar meet). We passed the Chiang Saen port/ harbour and took a peek in, co-ords:



N20.24109

E100.14077

Was pretty quiet and empty

 

[KTMphil]

There were plenty of tourists around at the Golden Triangle, looking north up the Mekong River

In the distance the rumored to be shut, Myanmar casino that was built to cater to Chinese gamblers

The Laos free zone at the Golden Triangle with it's casino's

 

[KTMphil]

Next stop was the new Opium Museum just north of the Golden Triangle, "Hall of Opium". 150 bht entrance to residents good value, co-ords:


N20.36478

E100.07364

Entrance tunnel goes on for about 400 meters its very strange

 

[KTMphil]

Looks like they spent a fortune setting this up, beautiful landscaping

Fancy cinema

& even some fake, plastic opium poppy's

This is how it's processed

 

[KTMphil]

In the Hall Of Opium building is also the new Doi Tung Lodge & Greater Mekong Lodge, we couldn't get prices, I would guess 1,500 - 2,000 bht

Contact details are below:

 

[KTMphil]

Next stop was lunch on the outskirts of Mae Sai at Kun Nam's Lab-Lung-Air Restaurant. To our horror he's moved!! Luckily we were able to track down his new set-up which is called "Boon Nam", about 1km away at co-ords (on R 1149):


N20.42020

E99.89060

Superb food as usual, you cant go wrong with the shrimp or pork fillets in pepper sauce

The kitchen was buzzing

 

[KTMphil]

Quick stop at the Royal Villa on Doi Tung, which was the King of Thailand's, mother's, holiday home.

Looks like she wanted to get up there fast

& once up there some special views

 

[KTMphil]

Looks like we can make Doi Mae Salong before dark, we check in at the Doi Mae Salong Flower Hills Resort. Ridden past it hundreds of times, never stayed there before. Co-ords:



N20.16309

E99.64490



Four Square locator :

https://foursquare.com/phillip_gibb...8d6994ea?s=87Hh8rozcJ-ehiLofhqq8Yq6vUY&ref=tw

1,500 bht gets you this with a free, decent breakfast

Bottom floor, the place was full

 

[KTMphil]

I highly recommend eating in their restaurant early before it gets dark

The views are breath taking. Sitting there with a nice glass of red as the sun sets was great, highly recommended.

Beat that? Even tea plantations to the left

 

[KTMphil]

They do excellent food, wasn't too expensive, don't miss the pork leg

Infinity style pool --- bloody freezing up there though

Lots of rooms (& they were full)

 

[KTMphil]

Will finish this tomorrow

 

[bsacbob]

Looks like you touched on almost every where in the triangle Phil, thanks for the info on the Flower Hills, likewise passed a million times and never called in.

 

[MartinThai]

Great pics Phil, thanks. I've stopped at Flower Hill many times but funnily enough always think the food is bland compared to regular Thai grub..... maybe a new chef on the hill!

 

[KTMphil]

Traditional house out the back of the DMS Flower Hills Resort

& tea terraces

 

[KTMphil]

Another place that really worth trying in Doi Mae Salong is the Khumnaiphol Resort & Restaurant, co-ords:


N20.15970

E99.62248

While we were there (high season), they were discounting rooms to 650 bht from 1,200 bht. It looks well run and interesting.

Decent restaurant in the front of the resort, so you don't have to go out in the dark & not expensive. They will do the Chinese pork leg thing.

 

[KTMphil]

It turned out to be one of those really bright, dry season days, so a good day to take some snaps of the "white wat" / Wat Rong Khun (Wat Rong Khun - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia), which is south of Chiang Rai on R 1, co-ords:


N19.82493

E99.76360

Deep blue skies

Lastly a local playing the ancient qwee, he looked at peace with the world.

So that's about it, 4 nights away from Chiang Mai & that's what you can do!

 

[2wheels]

Lots of new info there Phil, thank you.
Especially like that last photo.

 

[MartinThai]

Phil, is it only the 1251 Phayao to Chiang Muan being resurfaced at the mo? If you were to do a loop north from Phayao on the 1021 to Chun then down the 1091 via Pong to Chiang Muan, you'd miss the roadworks? Just don't wanna get Greg's beautiful Duke SS dinged!!
Did you get a biz card with phone number for that new GH in Nan? Care to share?

 

[KTMphil]

Phil, is it only the 1251 Phayao to Chiang Muan being resurfaced at the mo? If you were to do a loop north from Phayao on the 1021 to Chun then down the 1091 via Pong to Chiang Muan, you'd miss the roadworks? Just don't wanna get Greg's beautiful Duke SS dinged!!
Did you get a biz card with phone number for that new GH in Nan? Care to share?

Correct just R 1251 probably a 5km section. I'll dig out the biz card for the Poom Pern 2 GH in Nan, I think Greg is stopping by tomorrow night, I'll give it to him then.

 

[skeedary]

Hey Phil some great photos and ride info of probably my favorite places to ride in the north. Was only there 2 weeks ago and am going back again tomorrow for more. And i am guilty of never staying in Chiang Saen preferring to stay Chiang Khong so after reading the 2 Wheels report i will add that as a stay this week. Hope to share some photos.

 

[KTMphil]

Hey Phil some great photos and ride info of probably my favorite places to ride in the north. Was only there 2 weeks ago and am going back again tomorrow for more. And i am guilty of never staying in Chiang Saen preferring to stay Chiang Khong so after reading the 2 Wheels report i will add that as a stay this week. Hope to share some photos.

Skeedary - I'm the same, always just past through Chiang Saen. Talking with David Bailey, he says everyone misses the "old wall" a couple of streets west of the Mekong River, he says well worth a visit, kind of a condensed mini Sukothai. Looks like plenty to explore there, I totally agree with you.

 

[Ally]

Hey Phil some great photos and ride info of probably my favorite places to ride in the north. Was only there 2 weeks ago and am going back again tomorrow for more. And i am guilty of never staying in Chiang Saen preferring to stay Chiang Khong so after reading the 2 Wheels report i will add that as a stay this week. Hope to share some photos.

A very warm welcome to RideAsia Skeedary.


Ally

 

[nikhuzlan]

Ally, Phil, Thanks for the useful write-up. Great reference for ADVLux Redux end of this year.

 

[KTMphil]

Martin - Greg was in last night, I gave him some hints on where you two should go

Phil, is it only the 1251 Phayao to Chiang Muan being resurfaced at the mo? If you were to do a loop north from Phayao on the 1021 to Chun then down the 1091 via Pong to Chiang Muan, you'd miss the roadworks? Just don't wanna get Greg's beautiful Duke SS dinged!!
Did you get a biz card with phone number for that new GH in Nan? Care to share?