3 days, Isaan and beyond 281123

Day 2

Had a steady morning and a good breakfast before heading out
We were heading up to Chiang Kham with a few stops on the way





First up was a visit to the ‎⁨Mae Mo Power Station⁩, ⁨Lampang⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩. It was massive and EGAT (electricity generating authority Thailand) had done quite a lot of conservation work in and around its real-estate


‎⁨Mae Mo⁩, ⁨Lampang⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩











Then it was off to the Bua Tong Field of Flowers which were still good even though they were getting past their sell by date. N18.34371 E99.75554
There is a good view point there also.


Bua Tong Field of Flowers













We were then back on the road heading up to Chiang Kham
We stayed in the Chiang Kham Hotel N17.97569 E100.01490
Not too bad actually, price was THB250 with a fan or THB350 with A/C
Room was basic and clean. Hotel closes between 2400 and 0600







We had gone to Chiang Kham to meet up with a couple of guys from the GT Riders forum https://www.gt-rider.com/se-asia-motorcycling/ for a bit of food, drink and a natter
It was good to meet up although the place we had food was not very busy, it was still a good evening
White House Bar and Restaurant N19.52998 E100.29326






Wayne

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Wayne,

Will do.

Did I get your location correct?

Brendon

Attached Thumbnails

 

Yep that looks about right coords to our coffee shop on our land are Capell Coffee N16.504323 E102.036437 we are on Google and apple maps for you to check.
I notice that your route has tolls, motorcycles are not allowed on the toll roads if your coming via Bangkok, I don’t know if you’re aware?

Wayne

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3 days, Isaan and beyond 281123

Day 3

Time to travel home with a long day a head in the saddle, with stops it took me about 9.5 hours. 573km.
The first part of the journey was on roads I had not been on but then it was back on to the long sweeping dual carriageway bends on the 11 and 12.
It was still dark when I set off which offers a good chance to see how the lights on the bike were.






‎⁨Chiang Kham area⁩, ⁨Phayao⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩




‎⁨Chiang Muan⁩ area, ⁨Phayao⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩






‎⁨Nakhon Thai area⁩, ⁨Phitsanulok⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩



It was a good few days out with a grand total of 1260km.

Wayne

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Wayne,
Got it. Drop by for coffee next year then!

I just did a quick route from the Malaysian side border to your district.
I wasn't aware that bikes are not allowed on Thai highways. is there a minimum engine capacity to use the highways or is it a blanket restriction for all bikes irrespective of engine size?

Thanks

Brendon

You’re welcome to stop by, no problem at all

Bike are not allowed on the elevated toll roads in and around Bangkok, no matter what the engine size. So if you go into or through Bangkok you will have to stick to normal roads. There are a lot of other 2 and 3 lane roads both in Bangkok and in the country with are perfectly fine to go on. The elevated toll roads in Bangkok have signs saying no bikes allowed.

Some info on here, dated a few years ago but as far as I am aware it’s still applicable https://aseannow.com/topic/661675-where-not-allowed/
Coffee shop is on Facebook also

Wayne

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Roger that.

Thanks for the heads up info.

Will let you know in advance once my plan for extended tour in Thailand is finalized.

5 days, Isaan's Northern Roads cont'd, Following the Mekong East then South. 250124


My first getaway of 2024.
I would have gone sooner but I had to sort out my marriage extension with Thai Immigration before going anywhere. Anyway, all sorted so now I am back on the road.
I had a loose route planned, which was to start where I left off, Nong Khai, then continue heading east on Isaan’s northern roads before dropping down and head south on Isaan’s eastern roads. Ending where the Mekong disappears in to Laos before I head off home. I have a couple of places to see on route, otherwise it’s pretty much a see what’s out there ride!
I was planning to cover approx 250km per day for the first 4 days then roughly 460km on the last day heading home.

Day 1






Getting my coffee to take with me

The plan was to get to Nong Khai where i finished off on my last Mekong trip and then continue following the river east.
The journey to Nong Khai was pretty much the same as my route home the last time, less the cutting though the hill range. This time I stayed on the duel carriageway. At one point the road cut through some hills just past Nong Bau Lam Phu, so it broke up the monotony of the 210. Then it was on to the 2 all the way in to Nong Khai
Once in Nong Khai i stopped at Macky’s Riverview restaurant, N17.88492 E102.74624 for some lunch. Food was good


‎⁨Mueang Nong Bua Lamphu⁩, ⁨Nong Bua Lam Phu⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩








Macky's Riverside Kitchen, ‎⁨Mueang Nong Khai⁩, ⁨Nong Khai⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩






A view into Laos from Macky's

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Day 1 continued

Then I pushed on a bit further down the road using the 212 as the main artery and then cutting in to be close to the river where possible.
I ended the day in Phon Phisai


‎⁨Phon Phisai⁩, ⁨Nong Khai⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩






Stayed in the Boon Thawi hotel N18.02908 E103.08015 in the town, various prices from 450 to 700 baht
Room was fine









I relaxed for an hour or so before going for a walk and to find some food.






‎⁨Bang Fai Phayanak Viewpoint⁩, ⁨Phon Phisai⁩, ⁨Nong Khai⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩





Wayne

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Wayne,

The pictures are not showing up mate.

Strange, they are showing up for me mate. It could have been the Imgur server

Wayne

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5 days, Isaan's Northern Roads cont'd, Following the Mekong East then South

Day 2 part 1





I set off with no real plan apart from a rough direction and continuing to follow the Mekong/212 south branching off and taking the smaller roads staying close to the Mekong
First stop was the International Buddhist Park, N18.15680 E10313736. To be honest I was expecting a bit more but it was still nice.
On one of the smaller roads I came across a nice bit of the river at N18.36812 E103.24659
It looks like they are building a new Thai Laos Friendship Bridge at around N18.40146 E103.56750


International Buddhist Park, ‎⁨Phon Phisai⁩, ⁨Nong Khai⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩








‎⁨Pak Khat⁩, ⁨Bueng Kan⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩




I believe, The making of a new Thai/Laos Friendship Bridge, ‎⁨Mueang Bueng Kan⁩, ⁨Bueng Kan⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩





Coffee time at the Thong Mai Cafe, nice place with a tranquil little pond outside, N18.30133 E103.80480


Time for a drink, ‎⁨Mueang Bueng Kan⁩, ⁨Bueng Kan⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩



The tree lined road, 3008, reminded me of my time in Germany. Most of the 3008 was a pleasure to ride


‎⁨Bung Khla⁩, ⁨Bueng Kan⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩

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Day 2 part 2

The opposite side of the river in Laos was quite mountainous and earlier on in the day they were covered in clouds, looking like the rain was coming. Fortunately it held off and the sun came out.
I came across a nice Church on the outskirts of Nakhon Phanom, Saint Anna Nong Saeng Church, N17.42132 E104.77670 I have not seen many on my travels, especially like this.


‎⁨Bung Khla⁩, ⁨Bueng Kan⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩






‎⁨Ban Phaeng⁩, ⁨Nakhon Phanom⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩






‎⁨Saint Anna Nong Sang Church, Mueang Nakhon Phanom⁩, ⁨Nakhon Phanom⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩





My room for the night was the SP Residence in Nakhon Phanom, N17.39747 E104.78614. 550 baht for the night, room was big and comfortable. The bike was undercover in a sheltered area which was locked at night.


SP Residence, ‎⁨Mueang Nakhon Phanom⁩, ⁨Nakhon Phanom⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩







There was a market on Walking Street in the evening so I had a good walk out.


Looking across into Muang Khammouan, Laos


‎⁨Mueang Nakhon Phanom⁩, ⁨Nakhon Phanom⁩, ⁨Thailand⁩








Wat Okat






An evening dinner Mekong cruise


Wayne

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Pictures are showing now mate.

Ahh.... good trip mate!

Reminds me of my trip to Northern Thailand in June 2022 when borders were reopened after the pandemic.

I have to plan for my Thailand trip and ship my Tiger 800 to Port Klang by RORO by 2nd quarter of 2024.
I am actually trying to sell my Tiger 800 and then buy a used Yamaha Xmax250 at KL. Riding a lighter bike is so much easier.