Chiang Mai > Mae Sai > Phayao > Chiang Mai.
Chiang Rai & Phayao Province | Cool Season | 641 KM Ride | 1 Day
February 2016 – As a foreigner in Thailand, if you wish to stay for any length of time, you will usually get acquainted with visa trips. These can be frequent, depending on your visa type. For this particular trip I headed to the Thailand/Burma border.
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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.
Outbound. Chiang Mai to Mae Sai
The ride out. I set off at 6:30am, and realised quite quickly that the mountain ride was much chillier than I had anticipated. I had to slow my pace right down because the wind and cold was going straight through me. Wearing three layers, a jumper, a jacket with a windproof jacket on top, just didn’t cut it and body was shivering so violently that i thought my bike was having issues! Really!
Thankfully there is a great little spot for warming up just before you hit the city of Chiang Rai. The Hot Springs at Mae Khachan. I.
Mae Kachan Hot Springs
At Mae Kachan I parked up and nipped into the coffee shop where they pump in hot spring water into troughs. Here you can soak your feet, whilst drinking your coffee. My hands in particular reveled in the heat, as they had gone quite numb
After warming up (wasting a good hour or so doing so), I carried on up to Mae Sai
Mae Sai
I took the direct route up the R118 to Mae Sai, the border town into Myanmar. At the border I was stamped out of Thailand, stamping into Myanmar, and then I turned around and headed back over into Thailand.
With my visa stamp sorted, I grabbed a bite to eat and started off back to Chiang Mai. Except i didn’t...
Inbound Ride. Mae Sai to Chiang Mai, Via Phayao
Ok, so i didn’t actually intend to head to Phayao, my plan was a quick trip up to the border and back again. However, I was in automatic pilot mode and missed the Chiang Mai road turn off and found myself heading towards Phayao!
decided i may as well just go into Phayao and make it a day trip.
Phayao
Phayao is a pretty town. Some find it a little boring, but i find it peaceful. I love the Naga serpents on the water.
Ive done a couple of day trips to Phayao previously, and also a bit of a dancing video at the Naga, which caused a few smiles.
Back in Chiang Mai City
After a quick view I headed back to Chiang Mai, arriving a couple of hours later. Turned out to be a happy accident and enjoyed the trip!
I hope you enjoyed this short trip report.
Leave a comment!
Love Phayou, i drive over there quite alot and stay overnight in the phuglong hotel, great place and good night life, usually drive up to chiang rai after then chiang khong.
Really pretty lake I think. Beautiful for watching sunrise and sunset 😀