23-3-19 Mae Sot, Looking For The Start Of The River Moei

[Captain_Slash]

Distance 138 km

Yesterday I noticed a paved road near to Phop Phra that was unpaved before so I check it out

Here where the rubbish collector lives it becomes unpaved again



I take another unpaved track to Phop Phra



So dry out here now







A few days ago I hit a large rock that bent the bracket holding the footrests, the right one has bent back a bit too much

Looking at the other side its easy to see the difference

15000 km are on the clock today so its time for an oil change and to get the footrest straightened

A soaking wet rag is put on the bike first and then the blowtorch is applied





That looks rather hot there now







The footrest is easily straightened now

This and the oil change was 160 Baht

This guy out in the field was covered from the sun





While this guy was running around with just his underpants on







Now riding down to the Walae river





I could hear the trucks wheels spinning on the riverbed, I am surprised to see so much water in there now





Some of these roads out here have been properly surfaced now and are a lot better than they were a few years ago

Everyone has got an umbrella although I suspect its to protect from the sun rather than the water

At this point the Walae looks to be hardly moving

The walking bridge over to Myanmar is still here

I walk over to the end of the bridge but dont go inside



Looking upstream and about 300 metres further on the Megala river flows into the Walae and here it becomes the Moei river







No swimming notices are all around but no one seems to care





The ice cream man is warmly welcomed by us all

I ride further along the road then find a dirt track that leads back to the river but I am now north of the confluence



I ride back to the bridge and now have to walk, this reminds me of looking for the Wa/Nan rivers confluence as there you have to walk through a tobacco field too

Now I am on the dried up riverbed



I dont believe it but I have walked too far and gone past the confluence



Here is as close as I can get to it unless I wish to walk through the river, which I dont

The Megala is flowing in on the left of the photo.
It seems that hardly any of the confluences in Thailand are easy to find as far as I am concerned, they are mostly well hidden











A lot of traffic crossing there this afternoon







More swimmers too





That bridge is not easy on a bike and he took his time getting across











Its another baking hot day and I liked spending it in the water when I was younger

Chicken Karahi and naan bread at Bismillah 240 Baht

 

[Captain_Slash]

GPX Track

GPX viewer

 

[The Bigfella]

Interesting. Thanks mate.

 

[2wheels]

Great little bike.
Your Tour of Duty must be nearing its end Colin?

 

[The Bigfella]

If so, I reckon we can find the key for the BBQ... for a key man dinner.

 

[Captain_Slash]

Glad you found it interesting Ian, looking at the OSM the other day had me wondering about its origin.

The OSM appears to have the Walae river incorrectly named as the Moei and shows its origin as N16.48583 E098.85707, in reality the Moei starts at N16.33003 E098.66699 where the Megala river flowing eastwards flows into the Walae and here its the Moei flowing northwards, below this point its the Walae.

Auke's map on the other hand shows these correct co-ordinates, I have always known the border river at Ban Walae as the Walae river and the locals confirmed this.

I have sent this data to Peter (Beddhist on RA) and Russ so they can correct it on the OSM.

 

[Captain_Slash]

Ron I plan to ride to Mae Sariang on tuesday then back to Chiang Mai on saturday, I fly out from Chiang Mai on thursday 4th april.

Ian that BBQ sounds great, what day is best for you to hold it?

 

[The Bigfella]

How does Sunday 31st sound, everyone? All the key people should be here.

 

[Captain_Slash]

Thats fine Ian, thanks Mate