Doi Mae U Kho: Fields of Gold

Our Journey on the Mae Hong Son Loop continues. Leaving Mae Hong Son City, we continue on Highway 108 southwards towards Khun Yuam town where we will then turn east on Route 1263. A chance Whatsapp conversation with a friend in Thailand convinced us to detour to Doi Mae U Kho to catch a fleeting annual event; fields of sunflowers blooming and turning the mountain sides a golden hue for only 2 weeks in November. This sounded like a detour that we should not miss.

Beyond the Dot, Mae Hong Son City, Thailand

Mae Hong Son City: A Peaceful Respite

Mae Hong Son City may be the capital and administrative centre of Mae Hong Son Province, but it hardly feels like a city. Instead, it comes across as a sleepy town, with a laid back vibe, quiet streets and low rise buildings, and none of the heavy tourist crowds found in places like Chiang Mai or Pai. We made our way here after leaving Ban Rak Thai. The distance is only less than 40 km but it still takes about an hour’s drive due to the winding mountain roads.

Ban Rak Thai, Beyond the Dot, Thailand

Ban Rak Thai: Dreaming of Yunnan

One of my reasons for driving the Mae Hong Son Loop was to visit Ban Rak Thai, a small village nestled in a valley right beside the Thailand-Myanmar border. This is a village like no other in Thailand. Coming here is like stepping into Yunnan with its Chinese style houses, red lanterns, and tea plantations.

Beyond the Dot, Thailand, Travelling the Mae Hong Son Loop

Travelling the Mae Hong Son Loop

There are road trips, and then there are Road Trips. These are the road trips that offer fantastic scenery, unique stop overs and a drive like no other. Some of them are even world famous like the Great Ocean Road in Australia with its rugged coastline and scenic bends.

In Southeast Asia, the Mae Hong Son Loop is probably one of Thailand’s greatest road trips. Especially popular with motor cyclists, its a circuit of more than 600 km winding its way through the mountains of Northern Thailand. The route starts and ends in Chiang Mai. Along the way, you will see misty mountains, quaint villages tucked in valleys, cozy home stays and esoteric cafes. Being a loop, you can travel in any direction; clockwise or anti-clockwise.

Beyond the Dot, Khao Soi, Thailand

Khao Soi

Thailand is quite well known for its food scene and for most people the first thing that comes to their mind when it comes to Thai food is tom yum soup or pad thai. There are also other equally good Thai foods like this crab omelette that has won a Michelin star.

Beyond the Dot, Road to Pai, Thailand

Road to Pai

My previous post was all about Pai, so this one would be all about getting to Pai from Chiangmai. Pai isn’t that far from Chiangmai at around 146 km away. But the trip there takes almost 2.5 to 3 hours as it involves driving through hundreds of twists and turns with sometimes steep gradients of up to 30°.

Beyond the Dot, Thailand, The Life in Pai

The Life in Pai

The small mountain town of Pai is quite well known in the backpacker community and has been a regular stop over for hippie travelers plying Thailand’s north. I decided to make a trip to Pai when I visited Chiangmai this year to see what the fuss was about it.

Beyond the Dot, Paramotoring in Chiangmai, Thailand

Paramotoring in Chiangmai

Taking to the skies

I’ve been to Chiangmai a few times but I’ve never realized that you could sign up for powered paragliding or paramotoring as they call it. So on my latest trip I decided that it was an opportunity to try this out.

Beyond the Dot, Day Trip to the Death Railway, Thailand

Day Trip to the Death Railway

Besides just hanging out in Bangkok, there are numerous day trips that you can take outside of Bangkok. Some of these include a trip to Ayuthayya, the ancient capital of Thailand, a floating market, or a visit to the famous railway market.

Bangkok Markets, Beyond the Dot, Thailand

Bangkok Markets

Bangkok is well known for it’s many markets which operate day and night. So here is my own take on some of the better known markets which are also easy to get to using the metro in Bangkok.

	Edwin Tan on Doi Mae U Kho: Fields of Gold
	Dalo Collis on Doi Mae U Kho: Fields of Gold
	Edwin Tan on Doi Mae U Kho: Fields of Gold
	Bama on Doi Mae U Kho: Fields of Gold
	Edwin Tan on Mae Hong Son City: A Peaceful…