The Mae Hong Son Loop Scooter Trip (2011)
Mae Hong Son Province | Cool Season | 741 KM Ride
Chiang Mai> Pai> Mae Hong Son > Khun Yuam > Ob Luang > Chiang Mai. A trip on my Yamaha Fino 115cc, which sadly had a bad ending (serious motorcycle accident – for the purpose of this trip report, I will leave the details of the accident out.).
You will notice the map is not a neat loop. That’s because it was on the 1R263 that the accident happened, and there was a turn back to Khun Yuam Hospital. This trip was planned to be a 3-day, 2-night trip, but I think was 3 or 4 (or 5) nights due to the accident.
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Contents
Thailand Iconic Roads in the North
Big Bike Tours Recce Ride 2
5 Days 7 Provinces Loop
Border Ride. N.West to N.East – Northern Thailand.
Day 1. Chiang Mai to Pai
The ride out. It was a direct ride from Chiang Mai to Pai, except for one stop at the pretty 32 Coffee Hill).
32 Coffee Hill
This cafe has been a firm favourite for many years, (despite me not enjoying the coffee so much), because it is such a pretty setting.
I sat for a while enjoying the setting.
After coffee, I continued on to Pai.
Arrived Pai
Santichon Hilltribe Village
I headed up to the Santichon hilltribe village, to enjoy some tea and the beautiful views.
The village is so pretty.
The views were amazing and the tea was great.
After enjoying the village, I set off to visit Pai waterfall.
Pai Waterfall
The waterfall was flowing quite well and it was very quiet.
I enjoyed watching sitting by the waterfall for a while, watching the water flow.
The steps going up and down were pretty slippery, though.
Does not look so slippery on the photo, but there were several hidden mossy spots and wet leaves.
After visiting the waterfall, I headed back into Pai town to dine.
Dinner in Pai
I choose Cafe d’ tist as my spot for dinner.
It gave me a good view of the main street leading to Pai Walking Street.
When the sun began to set, I finished up and headed back to the accommodation.
It was not such a restful night though, due to the hard bed and cold temperatures!
End of day 1
Day 2. Pai to Mae Hong Son
I woke early, and the whole area was blanketed in heavy mist.
I could hardly see in front of me, and I had to ride in this!
I checked out, and headed off towards Mae Hong Son.
Kiew Lom Viewpoint
Thankfully, the haze lifted as I was riding, so I stopped in at Kiew Lom viewpoint to enjoy a refreshing drink.
The local hilltribe children looked so cute in their traditional costumes.
After a cool drink, I set off again.
Thampla Fish Caves
As I was nearing Mae Hong Son, I spotted a sign for “Thampla Fish Caves”. It sounded interesting, so I decided to visit.
I am very glad I did, because it was beautiful!
It was definitely an unexpected highlight.
Arrived Mae Hong Son
In Mae Hong Son and I was lucky with the accommodation. I went looking around and found a big hotel. When I inquired about the price, it was too pricey, but the receptionist smiled and told me to wait a moment. She then got on a walkie-talkie and when she came off it she said she had something secret to show me, which turned out to be a stunning back garden area of the hotel with a man-made lake, which was still under development! It was also only 400 Baht. I agreed, and checked in.
Amazingly, the room also had a bath, which I was very grateful for, because to be honest, I was aching. I suffered terrible pain in my kidneys from all the bouncing around on a bike, that was like a brick to ride. (Since then I often wear a kidney belt on long rides and that has really helped the issue ten-fold).
After cleaning up, I headed to Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu.
Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu
When I arrived at the temple, the sun had already set. It was still very beautiful even though I was not able to see any views.
I took a walk around, and made a donation.
On the way back to the hotel, I also stopped in to see Wat Chong Klang in the town centre.
I rode back to the hotel bungalows and slept like the dead!
Day 3. Pai to Khun Yuam
When I woke in Mae Hong Son, I saw a message from a friend that he will be in Khun Yuam that night. He had just taken his family to see the Sunflower Festival in Bua Tong. I said that I would meet them there, despite it not being on my itinerary to stop in Khum Yuam. It was a smooth ride to Khun Yuam.
When I met up with my friend for dinner, he recommended visiting the sunflowers via route .1263, although he warned the road was very pot-holey. He said the route to Mae Sariang (my planned route), doesn’t have so much along the way. (Regrettably), I changed my plans and decided to ride the R1263. I slept early.
Day 4. Khun Yuam….. (+ Accident)
In the morning, I set off on route 1263.It was indeed extremely pot-holey and lots of gravel (this has now been resurfaced, as I retraced my trip 4 years later). Unfortunately around an hour or so into the route, I crashed. It was a very bad accident. (You can read about this accident here).
I was concussed. Luckily a kind Thai couple picked me up and drove me back to Khun Yuam Hospital…and a pickup truck took my bike back along to the hospital too. I had good Karma that day, even though unlucky to have the accident in the first place. I was lucky too in that on the whole 1263 route there were not many vehicles at all. So to have two vehicles pass within moments (I’m guessing moments) of my accident, felt nothing short of miraculous. So I spent another night (or two) in Khun Yuam.
I was not riding solo on this trip so I decided to load myself up on strong painkillers, wrap up my face (which was already bandaged), and bravely be a pillion back to Chiang Mai via Mae Sariang. Stopped to rest at Ob Luang and was grateful for the long tall trees which seemed to offer some kind of protection over me as I lay beneath them.
I hold a warm feeling to this day at that stretch of road and trees. This pillion trip was a lesson in mind-over-matter, for I said nothing, but I was in horrific pain. Each bump sent waves of searing pain through my body and face. It felt like days passed, rather than hours. I also had a lot of thinking time and kept replaying the hospital and the small flashbacks I had. Trying to recall the actual accident, but i couldn’t. I was also extremely sorrowful and didn’t know how bad a mess my face was in or what the outcome would be damaged and scar-wise. Not an easy trip…
Arrived Chiang Mai
When I eventually arrived in Chiang Mai, I headed to my apartment covering my face. From then on, it was a long recovery journey. .. but I am still here. In fact, if you are reading this, you then already know about the many trips and I have done since this accident. Goes to show, you can overcome. Stay safe x
The local hilltribe children looked so cute in their traditional costumes.
I hope this was an interesting read.
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