Departure time 0800.

It was raining around 0700 ish so I waited till 0800 as the road was still wet.

On the road I met a fellow Malaysian biker on a KTM ADV250. I asked if he wanted a cup of coffee and we stopped along the route.
The stall that we stopped at only had sachet (3 in 1) coffee but it was all right. We helped ourselves and poured hot water into a cup with the coffee. When I wanted to pay, the lady did not want my money.
On this entire 5 week tour, this was the only place where I had coffee for free.

After 30 minutes of chat, we put on our gear and rode on. The fellow biker was headed to Prachuap Khiri Khan which was my next stop.

Arrived Chumphon around 1200 hrs and checked in at the hotel. After 20 minutes it started to rain heavily! My arrival at Chumphon was perfect!

Friday 24/5/2024
Chumphon to Prachuap Khiri Khan
176km, about 3 hours

Left at 0800 and the weather was good.

Just before arriving at Prachuap Khiri Khan, went to the Ao Manao beach which is inside a Royal Thai Air Force base.
Met a Thai who had just parked his 4x4 SUV and asked me where I was from. He did not speak English but we managed to get along with Google Translate. He used to ride a BMW 1250GS but sold it after an accident.

The beach was nice and deserted.
As I rode out of the Air Force base gate, a smartly dressed sentry gave me sharp salute. I was tempted to return the salute and take a picture but did not knowing that military bases are not the place to take sensitive pictures. LOL

Went for the seafood lunch and the prices are not exactly cheap.
Also had the bike washed and it was overpriced.

Saturday 25/5/2024
Prachuap Khiri Khan to Kuiburi National Park
71km, slightly over an hour

Short ride to Baan Rai Kong Mun and then to watch wild elephants at the Kui Buri National Park.
When I rode there the weather was good.
However it started to rain after I checked in at the hotel and in the afternoon I was picked up by a pick-up truck/ute to the Kui Buri National Park.
Unfortunately due to the heavy rain, could not see any wild elephants at all.
It was a waste of money but not the fault of the operator as the elephants did not want to come out due to the rain.

Sunday 26/5/2024
Kui Buri National Park to Kanchanaburi
281km, slightly over 5 hours ride


Normally from Google Maps estimated time, I will add on an hour for stops for ciggie, pee and coffee.
Weather was good but hot and I felt tired.
Riding on the highway is not fun for me as there is no scenery at all.
This will be a 3 day break to explore Kanchanaburi as I am a fan of military history.
I am also using the Hyperkewl cooling vest and it does help to keep the core body temperature down but I believe it would work best on a naked bike. My Tiger has a windshield and the wind is deflected towards the top of my helmet. My body does not get much wind so the Hyperkewl vest is not as efficient.

29/5/2024
Kanchanaburi to Hellfire Pass to Sangkhlaburi
226km, about 5 hours with a 1 hour stop at Hellfire Pass.

Left Kanchanaburi at 0645.

Hellfire Pass was very informative and because of time constraint I could not do the walk which would take about 2 hours. Watched a 10 minute video presentation which was interesting.
Furthermore I was in the TCX riding boots which are not meant for hiking.

It always brings a lump to me when I visit war memorials.

The scenery is much better with more greenery rather than villages/buildings.

From Hell fire Pass rode on to Sangkhlaburi.
It started to rain again so had to stop and put on the rain jacket and pants.

Rain wasn't too heavy but still my socks got wet.
My TCX Explorer 4 Goretex boots wasn't waterproof anymore.
It has been with me on all my tours to South East Asia and maybe it's time for a new pair of boots.

30/5/2024
Sangkhlaburi - Three Pagodas Pass - Nearn Sawan Viewpoint - Huai Mae Ka Min vehicle crossing ferry - Baan Sanechadra Homestay, Na Suan, Si Sawat District
192km, 5.5 hour ride

But turned out to be:
Sangkhlaburi - Three Pagodas Pass - Nearn Sawan Viewpoint - backtracked to Route 323 passing Hell fire pass - Ferryboat Ro Pho Cho - Baan Sanechadra Homestay, Na Suan, Si Sawat District
355km, 8.5 hour ride

Planned route:



Route actually taken:

Left Sangkhlaburi at 0700 and the sky was dark with a little drizzle.

Headed to Three Pagodas pass for the thrill of being close to the Mynamar border. Then it started to rain when I arrived at Three Pagodas Pass.

There is nothing much to see over here. A hard pass!
Waited a bit for the rain to slow down and then headed back to Sangkhlaburi.
While waiting a little boy wanted me to buy some food from him. I don't eat breakfast so I declined.

Took route 323 which was scenic and enjoyed the ride as there was no rain.
Then route 3091 to Nearn Sawan Viewpoint. Initially was cement and gravel roads and then turned into muddy sections and then to a single track.
I was less than an hour away from the Huai Mae Ka Min ferry vehicle crossing!
It also started to rain.

Decided to turn around as it was too risky to do it solo on a heavy 230kg bike with street tyres. Furthermore I am not a off-road rider.
Stopped at Nearn Sawan Viewpoint as the sky started to spit out heavy rain.

Checked Google Maps and there was no other alternative but to take a long route to Na Suan, Si Sawat District.

Backtracked to route 323 and then passed Hell Fire Pass and it was a long ride totaling about 10 hours with stops for coffee/ciggie/rain. I even had to get 2 litres of petrol from a shop along the way.

About 30 minutes before reaching the homestay, it rained heavily again and boots were wet again. Getting really pissed with the boots now. LOL