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DAY 3: SUKHOTHAI - MAE SOT (166 kms.)
The route crosses to Tak and the mountains that bound the western
flank of the River Ping Valley. Visit national parks and hill tribe
villages on the way to Mae Sot, a town grown rich on border trade.
From Sukhothai Historical Park, H12 is a fast drive to Tak. You may
turn left onto H104 or drive straight to the river. Turn left (south)
immediately before the bridge across the river to see the town and
go to the Chid Chon Restaurant.
 Turn
west onto H105. The drive offers side trips to parks and hill
tribe villages, as well as the opportunity for fresh coffee
at the hill tribe products market at KM.29. A shrine at KM.70
honours Chao Pho Phawo, who died defending the spot against
a Burmese army in the late 18th century.
Mae Sot is a busy trading town best known for its morning market.
You may purchase gems, semi-precious stones and other products
from Myanmar, perhaps at prices that are good.
Special Side Tour to Umphang
(164 kms one way. 4WD) |
H1090
is the only way into the small district town of Umphang, which is
bounded by the Burmese border and by mountainous and protected reserves.
H1206 (KM.31 west turn) goes to Pop Phra District, the large Karen
refugee camp at Ban Mo Koe, and the border crossing at Ban Wa Le.
The Kulap Doi (Mountain Rose) Restaurant (07:00 - 21:00 Tel: 055 520349)
and Phacharoen falls (700 m. west) are both near KM.36 and provide
an opportunity for a break.
The last gas stations before Umphang are around KM.44, after which
point the road narrows and the surface deteriorates. The rest of the
journey follows a spectacular route along precipitous slopes, high
ridges and across deep ravines. Sharp corners, steep grades, pitted
and broken road surfaces (depending on the state of upkeep) make travel
slow. Allow at least five hours for the journey.
Umphang offers comfortable rustic-style bungalow / guest house accommodation.
There are noodle shops on the high street and restaurants at the guest
houses. Night entertainment is provided by well-known folk singer
Khru San at Gift House (H1090. KM.162), when he is in town.
Guest houses offer combination rafting, elephant and trekking tours
through magnificent scenery to waterfalls and Karen villages along
the Umphang River. The minimum required time is two nights in Umphang
for the main day trip to Tilosu falls, but longer treks for wildlife
enthusiasts can be arranged.
Though walk-in clients are catered for, advance booking is advised,
especially during peak periods.
DAY 3: SIDE TRIPS
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ST4 Bhumiphol Dam (61 kms)
To reach the world's eighth largest concrete arch dam turn north on
H1 and then west at KM.462 to Sam Ngao. Follow the signs from Tak
to Ban Tak and Sam Ngao for an alternative rural route on the west
bank of the Ping. A rest house near the dam offers accommodation.
ST6 Lan Sang National Park (3 kms)
The park contains a small waterfall popular with the people of Tak.
ST6 Lisu, Hmong and Lahu Villages (5 kms)
A right (south) turn on a sealed concrete road just before KM.26 leads
through a Lisu and a Hmong village to a Hill Tribe Development Centre.
Drive through the centre to reach a Lahu village. Other villages of
the Lahu Shehleh sub-group may be reached by taking a north turn (5
kms. 4WD) along a dirt road near KM.27.
ST7 Taksin Maharat National Park (3 kms. 4WD after 2kms)
The park is famous for a huge specimen of anisoptera, a species of
dipterocarp. You have to sign in before entering the park. To reach
the tree you walk 400m down a very steep track to the bottom of a
ravine. Bird calls, primary forest and cool temperatures in the evergreen
lower down compensate for the stiff climb back up. Allow one hour
for the walk.
ST8 The Moei River Frontier Crossing (5 kms)
Drive to the end of the H105 at the bridge across the Moei into Myanmar.
Tourists may walk across for a day visit (until 17:30) and will need
US$ 10. You will get a new visa upon returning to Thailand. The Grapow
Pla restaurant on the north side of the bridge ramp is good. |
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