A 6 Day trip to follow part of the River Ping downstream 29/04/25
Day 1

The plan was to get up to Chiang Mai then follow the Mae Nam Ping (River Ping) south from CM to Nakhon Sawan where it ends and joins the Mae Nam Nan to become the Mae Nam Chao-Phraya which then goes all the way to Bangkok and into the Gulf of Thailand
The Ping originates at Doi Thuai in the Daen Lao Range, which is near the Thai and Myanmar border.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ping_River






After getting my regulation coffee in my flask cup I set off, there was a bit of light rain but it wasn't nothing that was going to stop me from riding, it's been a long time coming. Waterproof jacket on.


Route 12, ‎Nam Nao, Phetchabun, Thailand

14k's to Khon San then onto one off my favourite roads in my local area, the 12
The 12 from Khon San to Wang Thong is a good road to ride, through the mountains then a bit of flat before a nice winding dual carriageway through some more mountains.
By the time I had got to the junction of the 2216 on the 12 the mist and rain had gone, it was still a bit cloudy, but the roads were drying.


‎Route 12, Phu Pha Daeng Wildlife Preserve Area, Lom Sak, Phetchabun, Thailand

I took the ring road, the 126, north of Phitsanulok before getting back on the 12 towards Sukhothai. I've been to Sukhothai before on my very first Thailand ride at the end of 2014. From the 12 I got on to the 125 which took me on to the 101 heading north. I stayed on the 101 until Sawankhlok and picked up the 106 all the way into Thoen for my first nights accommodation


Junction of the 1370 and 106, ‎Sawankhalok, Sukhothai, Thailand



The 106 I believe was previously the 1048 and on some mapping it may still be that...Apple maps and my older Reise Thailand paper map. It starts of quite flat with some long straight areas then goes into a valley before winding up over the mountains before you get you Thoen, it was a good road with some nice scenery.


On the 106, ‎Thung Saliam, Sukhothai, Thailand




On the 106, ‎Thoen, Lampang, Thailand



Once in Thoen I went hunting for a room. Undercover bike parking, is the important part for me, then a/c and a good shower. Also a supermarket or 7eleven is good.
I found the Baan Hong Non Guest House, N17.62216 E.99.23686
500 Baht per night. Parking was good and it ticked all my other boxes, Lotus supermarket opposite and a 7eleven about 300 meters down the road at a PTT garage.
The room was clean and tidy, with a balcony


Outside the Hotel, ‎Thoen, Lampang, Thailand





Wayne

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The Balkans
https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/poi_entity/8417

Nice ride mate!

I want to go back to Thailand to ride again.................. Northern Thailand ..... want to do the MHS loop again which I last did in 2022.

Hope we can ride together again when I am next in Thailand. Got to rent a bike this time as I won't be riding across the border.

Yeah no worries
There are a few places to rent in Chiang Mai
I've not done the full loop, only parts of it

Wayne

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The Balkans
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We'll do the full loop then!

A 6 Day trip to follow part of the River Ping downstream
Day 2


Thoen to Chiang Mai





I set off quite early as I was going to meet some other expat bikers for a brew at the Yellow Coffee Truck, then on getting in to Chiang Mai I was going to get my chain adjusted at Honda Big Bike.
The 1 was first up heading north towards Lampang. Dual carriageway through the mountains although I didn't find it as good as the 12.


‎On the 1, Thoen, Lampang, Thailand

Once I got near to Ko Kha I went on to the 1034. In the town I stopped for some breakfast as I was pretty hungry. I had one of my favourite dishes which is sliced crispy belly pork cooked with a variety of sauces and chilli over jasmine rice.


Food place, ‎Ko Kha, Lampang, Thailand


Crispy Belly pork fried with spices and Jasmine rice

Suitably refreshed it was back on the 1034, nothing much happening on this road, I was just using it as a cut across to the 11.


On the 1034, looking at the Wang River, ‎Ko Kha, Lampang, Thailand



The 11 is a 2/3 lane road and it was quite busy. But it did afford some nice views and some sweeping corners to keep it interesting.


Route 11, ‎Hang Chat, Lampang, Thailand

I stayed on the 11 until the Doi Saket junction then a short dash on the 118 into the town. Doi Saket is where I was meeting up with some guys for a brew.


The Yellow Coffee Truck, just off the 118, ‎Doi Saket, Chiang Mai, Thailand



After a good natter and 2 coffees it was time to head into CM to get the chain done.
Back on the 118 and straight into CM, it only took about 25 mins.
Honda Big Wing N18.78784 E98.99180 were very helpful and adjusted my chain and lubed it up for no charge. I did give the mechanic some money for a or coffee.


Honda BigWing, ‎Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Time to look for a room, I had a rough idea and I had found a possible place on bookingdotcom but I wanted to look at the parking arrangements
Parking was good, so I stayed.
Casa Marocc Hotel
N18.77030 E98.99981
A great hotel with a Moroccan feel to it, including in the room.
Everything works well.
Clean and tidy with undercover parking.
There is a good view from the roof area
650 baht including breakfast


Casa Marocc, ‎⁨Mueang Chiang Mai⁩, ⁨Chiang Mai⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩





Wayne

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The Balkans
https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/poi_entity/8417

A 6 Day trip to follow part of the River Ping downstream
Day 3

Chaing Mai to Li






Breakfast at the hotel was good and a nice to have before riding.



The plan today was to get to Li which was not far if you stayed on the major roads.
But I wanted to ride along the Mae Nam Ping (River Ping) so lots of small roads with poor average speeds.
I picked up the edge of the Ping about 1km from my hotel, although it starts more north than Chiang Mai as stated on Day 1


My first view of the River Ping, ‎Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai, Thailand

After negotiating CM along the river I eventually picked up the 4032 along the western edge of the river.


On the 4032, ‎Hang Dong, Chiang Mai, Thailand


Still on the 4032, ‎Hang Dong, Chiang Mai, Thailand

I then nipped onto the 116 for a short while to go over the bridge where I picked up the 1156 on the eastern side.


On a bridge on the 116, ‎Ping River, San Pa Tong, Chiang Mai, Thailand

The plan was to cross a bridge on the 3003 and head into Chom Thong but when I had got there the bridge had collapsed. So I had to double back a few k's and cross a smaller bridge and use the 108 for a bit into Chom Thong


On a minor road off the 3003, ‎Wiang Nong Long, Lamphun, Thailand




On the bridge heading to Chom Thong, Chiang Mai, Thailand

I then stayed on the 108 to Hot, where I stopped for a coffee
The 108 on the other side of Hot became the 1012 and I followed that until the pick entered the Doi Tao Lake at this point I got on to the 4010 and 1103 skirting the eastern edge of the lake.


On the 4010, ‎Hot, Chiang Mai, Thailand


Looking towards the ‎Doi Tao Lake, Hot, Chiang Mai, Thailand

I stopped of at area on the lake but there was not a lot going on and IMO not worth the visit, the roads were good though. The reason I went to the lake is because the Ping forms it then disappears in to the mountains at the other side of the lake. I looked for a way to follow it through the mountains but there seem to be no roads. Although there may have been tracks I couldn't find I didn't think it was worth trying to find them on your own with a heavy bike.


‎Doi Tao Lake, Hot, Chiang Mai, Thailand



I stayed on the 1103 until the 4022 and past the small Mae Hat Reservoir and on to the 3008 all the way into Li for my next nights stop.
The 4022 and 3008 were nice roads to ride and in places had some nice new black top. The views were good for most of those roads


On the 4022, ‎Doi Tao, Chiang Mai, Thailand


Still on the 4022, ‎Doi Tao, Chiang Mai, Thailand


On the 3008, ‎Li, Lamphun, Thailand

I found a really nice place for 450baht with breakfast and great parking for the bike but no WiFi, so that was a big no for me.
After riding around I eventually found..

Rung Sapphire Linna Resort
N17.80764 E98.94258
Found this by accident as it's not on Apple or Google maps unless the coords are incorrect on the mapping as it shows one next door
There is a 7/11, Big C mini and a lotus mini on the main road about 10/15 mins walk
Nice clean rooms
Boiling vessel for hot water provided
WiFi is mediocre.
A/C works well
There is undercover parking but not near the room, so I got the bike under the overhang right outside the room
600 baht







Wayne

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