A COUPLE OF DAYS IN THATON (Tha ton)

[2wheels]

12th Nov 2023

Doi Saket to Thaton 240kms
Thaton via Phrao to Doi Saket 292kms.
532 kms
Total fuel used (95) was 12.8 ltrs
Consumption was 41.5 kms per litre!! (which seems almost unbelievable).

The plan was to ride my new RE Classic 350 up to Thaton to rendezvous with David L (from Mae Chan) and his two brothers
newly arrived from England and Canada. This would also give me a chance to work the RE through the mountain roads and to
make an assessment of its cruising ability.

So I departed Doi Saket and took the 107 and 1089 to Thaton.

A stop at the always picturesque Chiang Dao.
19.372, 98.984

Pictured on another occasion.

The spectacular formations along 107 at 19.549, 99.058.

On to the 'Hinoki Land' tourist park at 19.657, 99.147.

During an earlier visit I met the friendly owner.

And had a bit of a look around.

Then up to a new section of Wat Mae Ai Luang at 20.032, 99.295 on 1089.

We had booked a few rooms at the relatively new Thaton Beach Resort.
The bungalows are quite adequate for 500 baht and I found secure bike shelter.

"Beach" is now a mis-nomer as the previous strip of sand beside the river Kok is now overgrown.
However, this is a very handy location and the staff are very helpful and friendly.

And the views are nice.

Here are the Likely Lads (David left, Chris and Andy).
Lots of yarns during an enjoyable (for me!) meeting.
Then for a walk and a snack.

View from the bridge along the Kok River (the second 'k' is silent)
Hundreds of swallows were nesting under the bridge.

David's usual eatery is here on the main road in town just near the bridge at The Sunshine where a lovely old lady serves nice food from a single menu.
20.060, 99.361

Her photo collection provided good nesting opportunities.

An early night back at the resort, more chin-wagging and early to bed.
(David had driven from Pai that day).

The resort has endless coffee, tea, toast and jam.
More stories then a proper breakfast at the old lady's restaurant.

We parted company, David and his brothers heading home to Mae Chan and me staying at Thaton for a closer look and another night.

I snooped around town during the day; the objective was to find optional accommodation and eateries for future visits.

I think this is the Rim Kok.

View across the river to Wat Thaton (Wat Phra Aram Luang).

Views from and around the huge Temple complex.

Many impressive murals around the walls.

I'll move on to part two now (accom, Burmese Temple, eatery and ride home)

 

[2wheels]

Part 2

I rode along the river on both sides of the bridge and was pleased to note the number of Guest Houses, Hotels and Resorts.
This one impressed me, set in very attractive grounds, inexpensive and beside the river.
No restaurant though.

20.063, 99.361
081 0241372 (Khun Suda, with good English)

The smaller bungalows are only 400 baht (air con)

A bit more expensive beside the river.

Earlier, from Wat Thaton, I had noticed this complex .....

... so I went and had a closer look.

Wat Phawana Nimit is at 20.064, 99.363

I rode back to the main road to try this eatery we had walked past earlier.
'Krua Suphan' is excellent.
I have never tasted better green chicken curry.
The lady there has been a chef/cook for about 20 years and it is evident in her dishes.
She speaks good English and will share info about the local area (some of which is not printable here in an open forum)!
20.060, 99.361

I then walked across to this abandoned Resort.
Thaton Chalet had about 33 rooms, beside the river and an easy walk to everything.
Something went very wrong about seven years ago and it is just sitting there, the interior timber gradually rotting away.
It has become a hi-class pigeon coup!
20.061, 99.363

The bridge at night.

Then a huge downpour of rain made me a bit worried about my next day's ride.

However, the next morning was cloudy but free of rain.

I turned left off 107 just past Hinoki and onto the wonderful 1346.
This was going to test the RE, with its steep climbs.

It's a beautiful and interesting ride with minimal traffic to worry about.
The smells were awesome. So were the twisties.
But there are many lurking potholes and in some places the roadside has been washed away.
There are also land-slides to be aware of.
I was impressed and surprised how the heavy 350 handled this road.

Into Phrao for a break.
When they say 'Public Toilet' they do mean public!

A most enjoyable ride along 1150 then out at the 118 junction.
Too enjoyable to stop the bike for pics.

Along the busy 118, coffee at Mae Kachan and the usual stop at the abandoned Khmer style Resort at the hot springs.
Hundreds of millions of baht just rotting away.
19.116, 99.464

Near Doi Saket I did a U-turn and went back to the roadside shrine alongside this twisty bit on the hill beside 118.
The requirement here is for Believers to 'bip' their car/bike horn to either summons the support of the road spirits or to thank them for
their support. Yes, I always oblige; so far so good!
18.898, 99.190

\

And safely home to be greeted by my little stray 'K9'.

So that was a most enjoyable ride, meeting pleasant company and being very impressed with my 350 Classic.

 

[The Bigfella]

Nice report, great photos. Thanks mate. Not printable information? C'mon...... try us.

Meanwhile, I'm slaving my way through photos for a report on our Salween River trip

 

[2wheels]

Thanks Ian.
Let's hope we see more ride reports now that we have excellent touring weather.

 

[Captain_Slash]

Some very nice photos there Ron.

 

[2wheels]

Thanks Colin.
Modern mobile 'phone cameras are quite adequate now.