Finally the rainy season is finished (we hope) and temperatures are starting to drop, the perfect time for a ride along some of the most scenic routes in Northern Thailand up and around Doi Ang Khang. With an overnight stop planned it was bound to be an interesting trip riding the 520 km loop.
Soon off the 118 and onto the 1150 heading to Phrao
A great road spoilt only by the odd landslide and sand washed onto the road, plus some crappy resurfacing works going on to add to the mix.
The two Forza riders keeping up a good pace.
The new dam East of Phrao, amazing there is little water after all the rains this year.
We had planned to stop at the Rim Doi, but arrived too early in the day, so Piang Luang it was to be for the night.
The 1322 to Wiang Haeng has a number of hairpins that can catch you out, especially when there are lots of potholes on the apex, Helmut running a little wide.
Many Lisu spirit offering where there had been fatalities.
The view point as you approach Wiang Haeng and a nice cup of coffee as we enjoy the views and cool air.
Corn husker, for display only i think.
We checked into the Heun Mhok Khan GH we had noticed from an earlier trip located at N19.69046° E98.62809° spotless clean rooms and coffee and toast breakfast for only 500 baht.
That evening the landlady pointed us to a pretty good restaurant near the new 7 Eleven, with a huge Thai menu located at N19.68393° E98.62602°
60 baht yummy.
Frontage of the restaurant.
After a good nights sleep a light breakfast at the GH, they serve beer also !
Before hitting the 1178, time to check out the nearby border post.
Old checkpoint building now abandoned, plans have been made to open this border again but yet to be finalised.
Road ends on the Thai side.
Myanmar army camp.
Quick look around Wat Fa Wiang
The large Bodi tree in the grounds
Tomb of the General Mo Heng of the Shan United Revolution Army (SURA)
More info here gives some insight to significant this area was during the drug wars https://www.travelfish.org/sight_profile/thailand/northern_thailand/chiang_mai/wiang_haeng/3448
The two armies separated by some barbed wire and bamboo picket fencing
View down to Wat Fa Wiang
Impressive Buddha at N19.71022° E98.62637°
Des sporting the latest breathing technology.
Soon onto the now beautifully paved first section of the 1178, back in February it was still a gravel track.
However the original paved sections are in a poor state, hard to figure why they never repaired these areas at the same time.
Still pretty chilly at 1500 metres
Warming up time to ditch some gear.
Reaching Doi Ang Khang the road was closed due to landslips but managed to convince the soldiers to squeeze by without issues. From here we turned onto the 109 a great road but loads of sand washouts kept it interesting, all in all a great couple of days good company and cold beer.
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