Journey to the Karen State… Burma (Part 1)

[Shane]

Interesting weekend in Tak province around the Moei river… and the Karen State in Burma.

I definitely ended up getting a lot more than I bargained for out of this trip. Trucks, bikes, boats, super remote villages, epic waterfalls, armed to the teeth militia, gambling festivals, unbelievable trails and scenery, an insight into the Karen cross border culture and a starring role in a popular Thai/Karen YouTubers video.



It all started with a planned off-road biking trip in and around the Moei river near the town of Baan Mae Tawoe, also know as Baan Ta Song Yang in Tak province. I’m not sure why it has 2 names. I guess one is Karen and the other name is Thai. That was going to be my base for the weekend. It’s a beautiful village situated on the banks of the Moei river with spectacular limestone cliffs covered in green jungle. The opposite bank is decorated with many Burmese style Chedi. It’s like a screen out of a movie.

Location:
Mae Tawo Pier

Mae Tawo Pier · HW67+77R Unnamed Road Tha Song Yang, Tha Song Yang District, Tak 63150

★★★★★ · Marina

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Excellent resort with super friendly owner
เมย มาง รีสอร์ท
+66 86 205 1883

เมย มาง รีสอร์ท · 555 หมู่ 9 บ้านสวนอ้อย Tambon Tha Song Yang, Tha Song Yang District, Tak 63150

★★★★★ · Inn

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I had previously been to the north of the Yuam river near Baan Sop Moei and Glor Say Lo, and I wanted to explore the area to the south as it looked remote and very cool. I tried asking around online to get info but couldn’t find any, so I was just going to have to rock up, wing it and hope for the best.

Day one, we took off on the dirt bikes and headed north along the river. A good chunk of the planned route wasn’t clear on the GPS. Having asked around, I was assured there was some sort of trail there so we pushed on. Had to stop and ask directions a few times along the way too.



Many of the villages we passed through had no electricity. One in particular had only a single track coming and going from it. Not possible to even get a 4WD in there. The nearest village was an hour away by dirt bike with a good chunk of the ride going straight through a river. The next village was very big with maybe 100 houses, but still no electricity. We stopped for a chat with some villagers in a few places. The villages were all Karen and everybody was super friendly.

These are some of the villages we passed through:

บ้านแม่เหว่ยทะ

ศูนย์การเรียนชุมชนชาวไทยภูเขาแม่ฟ้าหลวงบ้านแม่เหว่ยทะ · PQFJ+G47, Tha Song Yang, Tha Song Yang District, Tak 63150

★★★★☆ · School

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บ้านห้วยขี้หมี

ศศช.บ้านห้วยขี้หมี · PRJH+6V5, Unnamed Road, Tha Song Yang, Tha Song Yang District, Tak 63150

★★★★★ · School

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After a solid days ride in the dirt, we made it back to Baan TaWoe for sunset beers down at the sandy pier.

Part 2 of this story includes a cool trip across the river to the Karen State to a festival and to visit an epic waterfall.

 

[Captain_Slash]

I have never been on the offroad tracks that far down, Mae Sariang has always been where I base myself. But it looks like you had a real good fun adventure.

 

[Shane]

I have never been on the offroad tracks that far down, Mae Sariang has always been where I base myself. But it looks like you had a real good fun adventure.

Yeh, it’s certainly a great spot for adventuring. The town of Mae TaWoe is a lovely spot to chill too. Sunset beers and swimming in the river after a ride