The Mae Ping National Park

[KTMphil]

The Mae Ping National Park is almost inaccessible by road.

It had intrigued me for years after a low airplane approach flying over the Ping River in that area and seeing first hand the vast contours.

So it was time to go have a look first hand. We endeavored to find out how much current was running in the Ping River. All the National Park Guards could tell us was it depended on how much rain there had been 2-3 days before hand.





A monk on his way back to the floating school

image by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr


Pumped up and ready to go explore where we couldnt get on dirt bikes

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Staging done all ready for the next day

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[KTMphil]

Way north before the steep sided valleys start on the Ping River

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Floating houses with their fish farms

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The river high water mark was quite amazing, it was about 20 meters higher than the current level

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Quite visible below wit the board for reference

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A fair amount of river traffic around made us feel quite safe

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Hiding on the shore to let some headwinds from a rain squall pass

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[KTMphil]

Cool floating school with only boat access. Nearest road out is 20km away. Note the slides for the kids to have fun with the river.

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The valley's were breathtaking

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Amazing reflections from the sky scraper mountains either side of the river

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Committed to the wilderness with no way out and fully prepared for camping

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[KTMphil]

With the valley-like contours most of the way, camping spots had to be carefully planned

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Good nights sleep and refreshed for another full day

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Amazing scenery all the way, not one dull minute

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Typical floating house with fish farms, there are many.

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Downwind sail out "racing" a speedboat

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Back to civilization

[/URL]image by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr[/IMG]




One of the most beautiful places in Thailand

[/URL]image by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr[/IMG]

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[/URL]image by Triangle Golden 007, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[Captain_Slash]

How far down river did you go Phil?

 

[KTMphil]

How far down river did you go Phil?

Not as far as we wanted because we hit some headwinds