New Year, New Roads

[2wheels]

I was determined to be doing my second most favourite activity on the first day of the new year ... bike touring.
This coincided with Phil wanting some of the excellent new Nan maps delivered to Tony's Place in Nan, plus the fact that (I'm almost
ashamed to admit) I'd never actually been to Nan and with my desire to ride, for me, some unridden roads.

1st January

Along the #118 speedway then onto #120 towards Phayao, stopped at the delightful Tan Tong Waterfall where there was quite a crowd.



To Kwan (Lake) Phayao to enjoy the sunset.







A friend near Phayao has this very busy Jack-fruit (Kanun) tree.



She has a new Honda, which is safely stored indoors and only done 200 kms in six months!



All cooking is done over an out-door fire.







It was a cold night, so a few of us sat around an open fire.








2nd January


Little 'Bookie' wanted to come along for the ride.



A pond in front of their house is full of water lilly and lotus flowers.



New year and colour co-ordinated.



I rode through Chun along #1091 and in the Pong area saw many fine homes.









The wretched smoke haze closer to Nan.



Along the very rideable #1091



I called into Tony's Place and handed over a bundle of Nan maps.
Tony sold three that afternoon and evening; they are in demand.

It's easy to miss this place, but definitely worth calling in for a cold drink, a good meal and a long chat.
Tony and Khun Whan are excellent hosts.

N 18.77632
E 100.77415



He has a unique way of dealing with unruly customers.



(continuing)

 

[2wheels]

3rd January

I didn't enjoy my overnight stay at Purana GH (PK) and was keen to get out from Nan city and onto some roads I had heard about.
So it was onto the #1080 to Tha Wiang then the #1148 to Chiang Kham; an excellent riding road.
In fact #1148 is such a good ride I found it a difficult decision whether or not to totally enjoy there corners, climbs and descents
(yes, even on a CRF!) or stop often to 'take in' the wonderful scenery. I compromised.

These graphic warning signs seem to have no impact (pun unintended) at all.



Along #1148



















I ate at Chiang Kham.
There's a lot of Evangelical work going on in the north.



(continuing)

 

[2wheels]

Then along #1021 to Thoen and the relatively boring 1020 into the frenzy of Chiang Rai.

I used the Montana to find accommodation, then remembered Phil's previous reference to the 'Red Rose'.
Why not?
It's a bit out of the way but great fun.
Theme rooms from 350 baht. I was greeted in a friendly manner and escorted to the 'Thai Boxing' room.
500 baht included a decent breakfast.

N 19.89276
E 99.82910



Aha, one of those places is it?
It immediately reminded of another colourful place ......





... yeah, Boten!



So I requested that neither room each side of mine be used that night.
I needed sleep. Other guests' needs could be fulfilled elsewhere!













Some of the other theme rooms.

I enjoyed the place; something very different.
However I think others didn't like it because quite a few visitors arrived throughout the night and left a short time after arrival,
some yelling something about '2000 baht' !









This side of town is nice.
I walked past the old airstrip (apparently it was used during the war in Vietnam and apparently there is also a Japanese built airstrip nearby).
More research.

This 'strip is now used largely as an exercise park.



I discovered the WCH Restaurant beside the Airforce Golf Club.

N 19.89173
E 99.82550



I didn't want anything heavy, so ordered a salad and spaghetti bog.





The service was appalling; one of those places where one feels an unwelcome hindrance to the girls who were more content preening themselves
and chatting on their mobiles.

So I found the owner and chatted to Barry? about it.
He was not surprised, adding that he was thinking of calling a meeting to improve service.
Nice enough guy.
He instructed the girls to give me a complementary spag bog.

It's probably worth another try on my next vista.
Their pizzas are, apparently, very good.



(continuing)

 

[2wheels]

4th January

After an excellent sleep and generous breakfast I 'hit the road' early, taking the #1233 through Wiang Chai then the #1173 to Mae Bong.
But the best bit was the excellent #1098.



It was still hazy and foggy at 9am.





The wonderful #1098 to Kaen Nua.





This is a tranquil and special place along #1098, near Noen Somboon.
I stopped there to 'take in' the scenery and the peacefulness and a chap who was selling amulets approached me and handed
over two bottles of water for me to put into my back-pack.





Onto the #1174, heading to Chiang Khong.



Our favourite road sign.



The always busy crossing from Chiang Khong to Huwai Xai.



More evangelical messages.



On one of my favourites, the #1129 from Chiang Khong to Chiang Saen.
I'd ridden it a few times before, but never in this direction.

(Actually, it's an interesting discussion on how the same road can be different depending on the direction in which it is ridden).



The mighty Nam Mae Khong.













Long overdue roadworks are in progress leading into Chiang Saen.



In Chiang Saen.
I'd never actually stayed there before and was looking forward to learning about it.
Chiang Saen eventually became one of my favourite places in northern Thailand.



I rode along the 'esplanade' looking for a suitable place to stay for the weekend.
Along the way I spotted these massive pumpkins.
As soon as I stopped the vendor placed this '10 baht for photo' sign on her 45kg pumpkin.
The two smaller ones were, apparently, only 25kgs.
We laughed about the sign and I road of after complimenting her on her produce; 10 baht still in my pocket.
I saw in the bike mirror that she removed the sign as soon as I departed!
Good try.



The Customs Office was my next stop because I had seen this Hummer being off-loaded.
It was enroute to China.
More about this later.



Late afternoon now, so I rode out to the Ban Huwai Nam Yen venue of the weekend's 'Nine Tribes Festival'.
Report here

http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/thailand-ride-reports/3036-nine-tribes-festival.html





On the way back from the festival venue I stopped to watch these fishermen in the Nam Kok river.








(continuing)

 

[KTMphil]

Spectacular photo's as usual, you really do have an eye.

The World Class Hamburgers used to be opposite the night bazaar in Chiang Rai, great that they've move and they're doing brick oven pizza's near the Red Rose Inn.


New Location of WCH/ with brick oven pizza's in Chiang Rai in the map below:

 

[2wheels]

Earlier in the afternoon I had discovered and checked into the wonderful 'Pak Ping Rim Khong B and B' on the esplanade.
Very indulgent of me, but I felt like something of quality was appropriate for this rather special weekend.
So I handed over 2000 baht for two nights stay. I never go to that extreme but, hey, it's New Year!

Recommend this place.
Khun Lucky is there 24/7 and she is a superb host with excellent English and local knowledge.

N 20.28181
E 100.08779



There's secure parking off the main road with a lockable sliding gate ...



... and a cool courtyard.
Free all you can consume quality coffee, tea and cocoa.
Free WiFi.



The many restaurants along the river road were popular ...



... as were the many venues along the Night Market street.



Attractive lanterns decorated the streets.







And this is an excellent little restaurant with superb food.
The 'Famai', on the river road.

N 20.27892
E 100.08823





The best chicken steak I have ever eaten and real chunky mushroom soup.
190 baht including a large cold Leo.



And here's a new accommodation.
Just near the 'Famai', 500 baht Hotel Nampueng Place.
Tel 053 777396.
14 rooms and excellent location.

The owner told me she has 350 baht rooms at another location.



Looking across the Mae Khong at 'little brother Laos'.



(continuing; a look around Chiang Saen)

 

[2wheels]

Khun Lucky had told me there were about 100 ruins in and around Chiang Saen.
So after a generous breakfast I went to see some of them.













Right alongside these ruins.











Quite a back-yard.





(continuing tomorrow)

 

[KTMphil]

Very entertaining, you've found some interesting stuff around Chiang Saen for sure, this photo is great

 

[2wheels]

It's a wonderful city; so much history within walking distance from most accommodation.

Will finish this report tonight.

 

[2wheels]

Part of the old City Wall.





The city was built in the shape of an 'irrectangle'. It has three City Walls with moats surrounding it, measuring 950 metres on the northern side,
2,500 metres on the west and 850 metres on the south.
There are five City Gates (each with names). The walls also contained two forts; one on the NW corner and the other on the SW corner.
When I visited there was restoration work in progress.





A contrast in eras.



(continuing)

 

[2wheels]

Then on to the beautifully maintained Wat Pa Sak, where I was able to enter for only 10 baht due to showing my Thai Motorcycle licence.

 

[2wheels]

What a wonderful, tranquil park.

(continuing; exotica!)

 

[2wheels]

A break from the Temples and back to the Customs car-park.
Earlier, I had seen this Hummer being unloaded and I suspected there may be other goodies to see there.



Yep!
An Officer told me these were enroute to their new owners in China.

(note the window stickers)















(continuing)

 

[2wheels]

Wat Chedi Luang (next to the Museum) was constructed in 1332 AD, three years after Chiang Saen was established.












(continuing)

 

[2wheels]

6th January

Pre-dawn and sunrise over the Mae Khong at Chiang Saen.







Very welcome road-works on the butchered #1271 to Doi Luang.



Seen at Mae Kachan.



1180 trouble-free kilometres.

The End.

 

[KTMphil]

Very interesting that Chiang Saen is the backdoor for this into China. When I was riding with Frankie in Hong Khong, exactly the same thing was happening there too, into China

 

[Just Bob]

Just found this thread. Stunning!

Love the old and the new in this shot;
View attachment 14223

 

[2wheels]

Thanks Bob.
Yep, that one was too good to ride past.
She was sweet and concentrated on her task rather than look at the camera.

 

[pv2986]

Stunning indeed 2wheels. Thanks for great report.

I am living and working in Chonburi area but originally from Chiang Rai and my parents still living there but I have never never go to all these places you went !!
To think these are all at the tip of my nose all along and I spent time lurking around other provinces without exploring my root, what a shame.
I will sure to follow your route very soon. Gotta plan for long holiday leave and go back to spend time at home

 

[2wheels]

Thanks pv2986.
I hope you can get there soon; Songkran might be a good opportunity!
Rgs

 

[2wheels]

Hmmmm; re luxury cars!!

Police: Luxury cars that caught fire had 'no owner' | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

 

[Lone Rider]

Yeah, just drop the cars (worth about 100 million Baht) of at a petrol station and an unknown person will pick them up - a bit dodgy me thinks

 

[KTMphil]

Looks like they sit there in Chiang Saen for quite a while until the Chinese paperwork has been approved.

 

[2wheels]

Update re luxury cars (plus some interesting comments)

Burnt Lamborghini linked to tax evasion | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

 

[2wheels]

Where there's fire there's smoke (and mirrors).
Not bike related, but related to my trip report. :RE

Politicians, businessmen, officials involved in massive tax avoidance operation, says DSI | Bangkok Post: news

 

[johnnysneds]

Hopefully the cars belonged to some of these characters....



Supercar Drivers Demand Better Supercar Parking


1 Apr 2013
THONGLOR - Bangkok's elite automobile enthusiasts blasted the city's insufficient supercar facilities, demanding an immediate increase in locations to park and display their immensely expensive cars.
"I paid almost Bt30,000,000 for my Ferrari 458 Italia and I have hardly anywhere to show it off," lamented Prakit "Jake" Limkulyoon, the son of a powerful hotel-owning family.
"What's the point of having a supercar if no one sees it?" he asked.
His woes were echoed by friend and fellow supercar owner Mike Thavaornmeet, who said it was "ridiculous" that most places required him to park his yellow Lamborghini Diablo amongst ordinary cars.
"Do they not understand that I'm special?" he inquired. "I mean look at this baby. You can't park it next to some Toyota."
Both drivers specifically complained that as of now only Paragon Mall and the Starbucks on Thonglor had special parking areas reserved for supercars, and that the Paragon didn't count because there was nowhere for the car owners to sit and look at the cars.
"When I go out in my Ferrari, I don't just want special parking, I want parking where I can sit and look at my Ferrari, and see other people looking at my Ferrari, and think about how they don't have a Ferrari and I do," explained Prakit. "That's what really makes me happy."
According to many of Bangkok's supercar drivers, the only places that really understand their needs are large nightlife venues that allow them to park their supercars in front so that everyone can see them getting out of their supercars.
"We need somewhere to feel superior during the day, too," said Raveevan Apitchapong, who drives a Porsche Panamera. "I mean, we can go to EST 33 at the CDC, but that's way up in Ram Intra, and frankly no one goes there in the day. I was there for hours last Sunday and the only people jealously admiring my car were some cleaning staff and a couple of kids."
Raveevan expressed hope that eventually all upscale Bangkok shopping and dining venues would have reserved display parking for supercar drivers like himself, and that maybe certain roads might have reserved lanes.
"I can imagine driving past a traffic jam at 130kph, with everyone just looking at me and wishing they were me," he said. "That's my dream."
"People don't appreciate the hardship of being a supercar driver," said Mike. "To know that you're not just elite, but elite among the elite, and not be able to rub it in people's faces 24 hours a day, every day, is just unfair."
Perhaps Prakit summed up the supercar driving experience best: "If we're not feeling superior, we're not feeling anything at all. Think about that."

 

[2wheels]

My heart bleeds for them!

 

[2wheels]

Today's instalment (for those who don't see 'Bangkok Post).

Labour minister caught in luxury car scandal | Bangkok Post: news

 

[2wheels]

Supercar Drivers Demand Better Supercar Parking

1 Apr 2013

Mind you, they are very capable English language speakers these 'hi-so' guys with their 4 wheeled phalluses.
Interesting date of the unsourced article too!

 

[BobS]

The article is from the "Not The Nation" website - Not the Nation » Supercar Drivers Demand Better Supercar Parking - which has the following disclaimer - "Not The Nation is for entertainment purposes only. Redistribution of Not The Nation content with attribution is permitted. Some photos and images used on Not The Nation are taken from the Internet. If one of them is yours, we apologize and are grateful. The author(s) of Not The Nation choose(s) to remain anonymous."

 

[2wheels]

Yep, thanks Bob.

 

[johnnysneds]

It may have derived from a sarcastic source, however you need look no further than the ground floor parking within the Airport Shopping Plazza to realise there really is a parking area for Supercars!!! amazing Thailand

 

[Lone Rider]

Yes, agree with johnnysneds. Formerly the groundfloor of the parking area was open for the general public but now it is roped off, presumably for the happy few who are willing to spend money on their preferred parking space. Before parking around lunchtime was difficult but now I just don't go there anymore as parking is so difficult - good for the shops but bad for the customers.

 

[2wheels]

'No, you can't take them. They're ours.'
'The doors are sealed anyway.'
'But we're going to do forensic tests'!

More and more hilarious as they saga continues. :F

Police prevent Customs from seizing luxury cars | Bangkok Post: news

 

[2wheels]

Note the final comment (not that it applies to any RideAsians.

Country lost Bt20 bn revenue from taxevading luxury cars - The Nation