Budget WorldClass Drives Chiang Mai-Sukhothai Loop
a m a z i n g 1998 Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) SELF DRIVE VACATIONS THAILAND 1999 NORTHERN THAILAND : CHIANG MAI - SUKHOTHAI AND BURMESE BORDERLANDS
To Mae Hong Son To Fang To Chiang Rai To Wang Nua To Chiang Rai 1001 1096 1 107 KHUN YUAM 118 1317 1 SAN KAMPHAENG 1269 19 CHIANG MAI1006 MAE ON 1317 CHAE HOM HANG DONG SARAPHI 108 Doi Inthanon 106 SAN PA TONG 11 LAMPHUN 1009 108 116 MAE CHAEM 103 1156 PA SANG 1035 1031 1033 18 MAE THA Thung Kwian MAE LA NOI 11 Market 1088 CHOM TONG 1010 1 108 Thai Elephant HANG CHAT BAN HONG 1093 Conservation 4 2 1034 Centre 3 LAMPANG 11 To 106 1184 Nan 15 16 HOD Wat Phrathat 1037 LONG 17 MAE SARIANG 108 Lampang Luang KO KHA 14 MAE 11 PHRAE km.219 THA Ban Ton Phung 1103 THUNG 1 5 SUNGMEN HUA SOEM 1099 DOI TAO NGAM 1023 Ban 1194 SOP MOEI CHANG Wiang Kosai DEN CHAI Mae Sam Laep 105 1274 National Park WANG CHIN km.190 Mae Ngao 1125 National Park 1124 LI SOP PRAP OMKOI 1177 101 THOEN LAP LAE UTTARADIT Ban Tha 102 Song Yang Ban Mae Ramoeng MAE SI SATCHANALAI PHRIK 1294 Mae Ngao National Park 1305 6 Mae Salit Historical 101 km.114 11 1048 THUNG Park SAWAN 105 SALIAM 1113 7 KHALOK To THA SONG SAM NGAO 1113 Phitsa- YANG Bhumipol Dam Airport nuloke M Y A N M A R 1056 SI SAMRONG 1113 1195 Sukhothai 101 ( B U R M A ) 1175 9 Ban Tak Historical 1175 Ban 12 Phrathat Ton Kaew 1 Park BAN Kao SUKHOTHAI MAE RAMAT 12 DAN LAN 8 10 105 Taksin 12 HOI Ban Mae Ban National Park Ban Huai KHIRIMAT Lamao 105 TAK 1140 Lahu Kalok 11 105 Phrathat Hin Kiu 13 104 1132 101 12 Hilltribe Lan Sang Miyawadi MAE SOT Development National Park Moei PHRAN KRATAI Bridge 1090 Centre 1
0 10 20 kms. Historical Park 115 1090 To Phichit 1206 To Nakhon Sawan KAMPHAENG PHET POP PHRA & BANGKOK
107 CHIANG MAI CITY 11
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HUAI KAEW RD.
UMPHANG SUTHEP RD. 102 Tilosu 1006 P Falls I N Train Station
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1 R Airport 11
19 OM M U AN G R D . 108 R 1
Car and Truck Rental 106
2 R Budget WorldClass Drives
CHIANG MAI - SUKHOTHAI LOOP
Budget Rent a Car has more And while we hope you than 3,200 rental locations won't need it, 24 hour emer- worldwide, including seven gency road assistance is avail- convenient locations through- able from Budget. In case of Budget: Thailand out Thailand. emergency information is We're known for our printed on the rental agree- superior customer service, ment for your convenience. great rates and wide variety Please note that the of vehicles to choose from, Budget fleet for Thailand including the adventurous consists of right hand drive Jeep Cherokee, the sporty vehicles. Suzuki Vitara and the afford- The Budget Guarantee able Honda City. is our pledge to you that Honda City/Toyota Soluna Honda Civic or similar Budget offers a great Budget is dedicated to pro- • 1.3 litre, Automatic sedan • 1.6 litre, Automatic sedan one way program between viding a positive, hassle free • Seats 4, holds 1 large, • Seats 4, holds 2 large all locations within Thailand. rental experience. Every 2 small suitcases. suitcases. Child seats are also available rental. Every time. Every lo- from all locations. cation. Budget has comprehen- On behalf of Budget sive fleet insurance coverage Rent a Car worldwide, we for all vehicles, and can offer welcome you and yours to Personal Accident Insurance the Kingdom of Thailand. for additional protection and Thank you for including us peace of mind. Our helpful in your travel plans. counter staff will be able to assist with this additional Suzuki Vitara 4WD Honda Accord or similar protection if required. Enjoy your Thailand visit! • 1.6 litre, Automatic 4WD • 2.0 litre, Automatic sedan • Seats 4, holds 1 large, • Seats 5, holds 2-3 large 2 small suitcases. suitcases. SYMBOL LIST
Main Road Kilometre Stone 100 Minor Road Temple
Unsealed Road Park
Suggested Routes Water Fall
River Hot Springs.
Province Hotel/Resort/Guest House Toyota Camry or similar Jeep Cherokee 4WD District Hospital • 2.2 litre, Automatic sedan • 2.5 litre, Manual 4WD 0 Key Point. Gas Station • Seats 5, holds 3 large • Seats 5, holds 4 large suitcases. suitcases. 12 Distance Between Key Points (kms.) Restaurant *** All vehicles have air conditioning and power steering.
3 R Welcome to your exclusive Budget World Class Drive.
CHIANG MAI – SUKHOTHAI LOOP
The finest old wooden temples, World Heritage historical parks, untamed jungle, rugged mountainous scenery and hill-tribes in the remote reaches of north-western Thailand await you on this tour.
his Worldclass Drive takes you fore, are flexible. The listings here only MAPS, KEY POINTS T south to the city of Lampang include the best places to stay along before going on to the historical birth- the routes. The main towns usually AND INFORMATION place of the Thai Kingdom at have local hotels (see maps) for Sukhothai. From there the full tour goes commercial travellers, some of which The maps in this booklet have been west to the border town of Mae Sot, a have more expensive rooms or suites. specially researched and prepared for colourful ethnic crossroads. The rooms in many of these hotels are this tour. Key Points along the route A special tour goes south to the often satisfactory, though basic. Full indicate important road junctions. A boundary of Thailand’s last remaining price indications for accommodation useful addition as a general map of extensive reserve of primary forest. are listed as follows: Northern Thailand, however, is the There the remote district town of Um- (1500-3000 Baht) “Thailand North” map published by phang is the base for eco-adventure (500-1500 Baht) Berndtson & Berndtson. Visitors will into the jungle for two days or more. (500 Baht or less) also find invaluable a good guide book From Mae Sot the return route providing cultural background and Major credit cards are accepted by follows the Thai-Myanmar border more comprehensive information. the up-market hotels and restaurants, north-west along the Moei River through country populated by the but otherwise you will need cash for the small, remote Karen. Striking karst scenery is fol- places along the route. lowed by a pass through mountainous TOUR PROGRAM country to the Yuam River Valley and Mae Sariang. Turning north-east, the WHEN TO GO route crosses a major watershed DAY 1 before entering the valley of the River The peak season runs Chiang Mai - Lampang Ping and passing the highest moun- from mid-November till after 99 kms. tain in Thailand en route back to the Chinese New Year (at the Chiang Mai. end of the first lunar month DAY 2 The full tour programme takes five of the calendar year) and Lampang - Sukhothai days, but this can be shortened by rises again for the Songkran 205 kms. returning to Chiang Mai directly from festival (Thai New Year) in Sukhothai on alternative routes. This mid-April. Advance booking DAY 3 tour also offers scenic and cultural is necessary for peak periods. alternatives to the northern section of Warm clothing is needed Sukhothai - Mae Sot the busy main highway between for cold temperatures in 166 kms. Chiang Mai and Bangkok. upland areas, especially DAY 4 between November and March. The rainy season Mae Sot - Mae Sariang ACCOMMODATION (July-September) offers tur- 232 kms. bulent skies and clearer The raw distance for each day’s visibility over the rugged DAY 5 drive is fairly short, allowing time for landscape, not to forget low Mae Sariang - Chiang Mai stops along the way as well as for side- season discounts of 50% or 190 kms. trips. Destinations for each night, there- more on accommodation.
4 R DAY 1 : CHIANG MAI - LAMPANG 99 kms.
The Thai Elephant Conservation Centre and Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang, the finest example of a Northern Thai temple, are highlights in a day’s drive that goes south to Lampang, a historical city on the banks of the Wang River.
1 KEY POINT ONE outlined in this guide, you will still have to start early in order to visit Lamphun H11 to Lampang and Om Muang (alternative route) as well as catch the Rd. 11:00 show at the Thai Elephant Con- servation Centre (ST.1). Many temples 2 KEY POINT TWO can be visited on this tour, however, H 11 (KM.20) & H1034 to Ko Kha and you may find it better to leave a visit to Lamphun for your return. Turn left off Highway 1 to enter Lampang 3 KEY POINT THREE City (see city map). H1 to Chiang Rai & H11 to Chiang Lampang was formerly known as Mai Khelang and has been in existence since before the 14th century. The 11 is a fast divided highway and ruling house of this city fought for H the main trunk route to the south. independence from the Burmese in the If you are on the slower itinerary 18th century and established an
CHIANG MAI To Chiang Rai CHIANG MAI to LAMPANG Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang 1 To Wang Nua 19 1006 SAN KAMPHAENG MAE ON autonomous northern vassal state 1317 CHAE HOM SARAPHI centred on Chiang Mai, which was R HANG DONG E finally incorporated into the Kingdom R V E I V R I of Siam in the late 19th century.
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V 11 I along the river front have been well- LAM R A preserved in the Talat Kao area on the H PHUN 24 hr. T south banks. The commercial south
116 part of the town can be seen in a tour PA SANG Khun Tan by horse and cart starting from in front National Park 1035 of the provincial office. 1033 To Chiang Rai MAE THA On the northern banks remnants
11 Thung Kwian of the old city walls enclose spacious Market 1 compounds and temples. A large teak house built in 1885 called Ban Sao Nak Thai Elephant HANG CHAT Conservation LAM is open to the public (10:00-17:00), and 1093 Centre Burmese style buildings are found at 2 PANG 24 hr. 4 1034 both Wat Phra Kaew Ton Taew and 3 11 0 10 20 kms. 24 hr. Wat Pongsanuk Tai. Wat Chum Si and Wat Phrathat Wat Si Rong Muang south of the river 1184 Lampang Lampang Luang River Lodge 1037 are also Shan-Burmese in style. KO KHA For dining in the evening the river front offers several good restaurants MAE THA 1 11 and pubs; recommended is the Huan To Thung Hua Chang To Thoen & Tak To Den Chai & Phrae Chom Wang (17:00-22:30).
5 R DAY 1: SIDE TRIPS ★ To Chae Hom THE ELEPHANT CONSERVATION CEN- To Hang Chat 1035 LAMPANG TRE — ST 1 To Ngao & s Susarn at o Chiang Rai m Trilak (H11. KM.29. [1 km.]) This centre is an attempt & 1093 s ll a w to counter the threat to the Asian Elephant in ld Wat O Wat Phra Kaew Ton Tao Thailand and includes an elephant hospital. A Wat Pongsanuk Si Rong Tai modest entrance fee is charged for shows (10 & Ban Sao Nak Muang 1 11 a.m. everyday; 1.30 p.m. weekends only) and 6 3 2 7 4 Provincial Hall 4 rides are offered. Asawin Night Market To Wat 5 11 ★ Chiang Si WAT PHRATHAT LAMPANG LUANG VIA Mai 11 Chum To Den Chai KO KHA — ST 2 & Phrae (KM.20 [27 kms.]) Turn left (south) on H1034 E R I V 1 to Ko Kha and Wat Phrathat Lampang Luang (12 R HOTEL & RESTAURANT G N 1.Ban Nam Chim Restaurant
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kms.) Lovely old buildings are found within the W To Mae Tha 2.East Side Pub 3 3.Huan Chom Wang Restaurant fortified compound of what is considered the 4.Kim Hotel finest wooden temple in the region. A pamphlet 5.Lampang Wiengthong Hotel 0 1 2 kms. 6.Riverside Pub & Restaurant available from the Phra Kaew Museum (08:00- 7.Thip Chang Hotel 17:00) in the temple compound to the south of To Ko Kha (ST.2) the walls gives details and recounts the legend of the origin of the temple. Return by going on to Ko Kha (4 kms.) and then turning left (east) across the river and continuing straight to Lampang.
Relaxing riverside resort. ACCOMMODATION Pin Hotel. 8 Suandok Rd, Lampang 52100 Tel: (054) 221509, 322283-4. Lampang Wiengthong Hotel. 138/ Small modern hotel with central loca- 109 Phaholyothin Rd. T Suan Dok, tion. Lampang 52100 Tel: (054) 225801-2, Tipchang Hotel. 54/22 Takroa Noi Fax: (66 54) 225803. A modern Rd, Sobtui, Lampang 52000. Tel: (054) upmarket hotel. 226 501-6. Fax: (66 54) 225362. Lampang River Lodge. H1 KM.591 Thai style mid-range hotel near night opposite Susco Gas Station. Tel: (054) entertainment area. 226922. Bangkok Res. Fax: (66 2) 2560248.
Thai Elephant Conservation Centre ALTERNATIVE ROUTE VIA LAMPHUN Wat Phrathat Haripunchai and Wat Chamadevi, Lamphun. (32 kms.) You may begin the day by To LAMPHUN Chiang taking the pleasant, but slow, tree-lined highway Train Station Mai Sriphan Noodles K To Lampang (H)106 through Saraphi to Lamphun (26 kms.). The U (09:00-15:00) A N 106 G city is said to have had its origin as a Mon settlement R Ku Chang I Wat Phra Yeun V in the 10th century. Wat Phrathat Haripunchai and E Wooden House R 114 Wat Chamadevi temples are amongst the major
temples of interest in the north. CHAROENRAT RD. Dao Khanong Haripunchai IN National Museum THA YONG Wat Phrathat Haripunchai YOT RD . Bus Station Thai Vegetarian WANG Khum Ton Kaew SHINE RD Sports Stadium Wat Mahawan Queen Chamadevi Monument 1015 & To Rung Market 106 0 500 m.
Wat Phrathat Haripunchai To Sanpatong Wat Chamadevi To Pasang
6 R DAY 2 : LAMPANG - SUKHOTHAI 205 kms.
The route passes into the Yom River Valley and follows it to the northern reaches of the central plains. There the ancient cities of Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai flour- ished prior to the rise of the great Siamese Kingdom of Ayutthaya.
4 KEY POINT FOUR Si Satchanalai District town is also known as Hat LAMPANG to SUKHOTHAI H1 to Chiang Rai & H11 to Den Sieo, which is famous for the 1035 1 To Chiang Rai Chai weave of the people of Lao HANG CHAT Phuan descent. Looms can LAM 1093 5 KEY POINT FIVE be seen beneath houses in the PANG 2 4 1034 nearby villages, especially to 3 11 H11 to Den Chai & H1023 to Wang the north across the river. The Chin Wat Sathorn Gold Textile Museum 1037 Phrathat KO KHA (08:00-18:00) provides an Lampang 6 KEY POINT SIX interesting opportunity to Luang MAE appreciate and buy some of THA 11 H101 KM 29/28 and the road across the delicate work. Good R E V 5 the river in Amphoe Sri Satchanalai. I
restaurants for lunch are R
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available in town. N 1023
A 7 KEY POINT SEVEN W Study the map of the Si Wiang Kosai To Den Chai National Park & Phrae H1195 to Sukhothai and H1048 Satchanalai-Sawankhalok and WANG CHIN to Thoen Sukhothai areas to determine 24 hr. 1125 1124 your route and how far you SOP 8 KEY POINT EIGHT want to go for the day. The PRAP fastest route to the Sukhothai H101 Si Satchanalai/Kamphaeng 1177 Historical Park is via little used 101 Phet & H12 Sukhothai/Tak Si H1305 and H1113 (approx 52 Satchanalai kms.). The turn off south-west National Park 11 goes through secondary wood- Y onto H1305 is south of KM.2 O M lands and a pass to R H on the road that follows I V E the Wang Valley and the west bank of the R 102 down to Key Point Yom River, but it is SI SATCHANALAI 24 hr. 5, where you turn 6 Si unmarked (except 1294 1305 Satchanalai off onto H1023 for a wooden Historical Park for Wang Chin. sign to Si Satcha- 1048 The small dis- THUNG 1201 101 nalai National 1113 trict town has Park-the return SALIAM 7 one restaurant journey to the SAWAN on the river park waterfalls 1113 KHALOK bank as well is 100 kms.). Airport as some food H101 is the SI 1056 SAM stalls on the main route from RONG 1113 1195 single high which side trips 101 street. may be made to 9 BAN 24 hr. The route to DAN LAN Si Satchanalai Ban HOI 12 Si Satchanalai fol- Historical Park Sukhothai Kao SUKHO lows H1125 along (KM.18) and Sawan- Historical 8 12 Park THAI the Yom River and waranayok National To Tak then takes H1177, join- Museum (Sawankhalok), ing H101 after 28 kms. Wat Chang Lom but it is more pleasant to 0 10 20 kms. To Kamphaeng Phet
R 7 To Den Chai & To Kiln Sites & To Si Satchanalai SI SATCHANALAI Wang Chin Si Satchanalai 102 To Uttaradit to SAWANKHALOK Kaeng Rose Luang Wat SI SATCHANALAI Res. 102 Rapids Chang 101 footbridge Sathorn Lom 6 24 Museum Suwantharas Km 29 Wang Yom Wat Phra Si
r Sukhothai Information Resort e Rattanamahathat v To Si Satchanalai i Chaliang Ceramics Centre R National Park 6 Centre Kiln 42 m o 1305 101 Unchan SI SATCHANALAI Y 0 500 m. Kiln 61 Res. HISTORICAL PARKTo Sawankhalok/Sukhothai 1294 1201 Km 28 Si Satchanalai Historical Park take the less busy alternative 9 k ms. route on the west bank of the Yom River. This will enable you to visit the kiln sites (left side of 1201 1113 road after approx. 8 kms.), To 101 which are extensions of the Thung Saliam Sawanwaranayok National Museums (see below), Sukhothai Historical Park & Thoen National Museum and then drive on to the histori- 1048 SAWANKHALOK cal park and southwards. becoming part of the Kingdom of 7 Si Satchanalai National Park Sukhothai that King Ramkhamhaeng Airport occupies a peaceful site on the built up at the end of the 13th century. (Bangkok banks of the Yom River, and the Thai history books attribute to this Airways) 1195 1113 nearby Suwanthanas Resort is kingdom the foundation of the inde- 101 good for a meal if not to stay pendent (from the northern Tai, Khmer The Sukhothai the night. Several local gold and Mon) Siamese Tai kingdoms that Resort Hotel smiths are well-known for their evolved into present day Thailand. At 1056 hand-wrought jewellery. the height of its power the kingdom SI Si Satchanalai was a provin- directly controlled the western half of To Ban Kao & Sukhothai Historical Park SAM RONG cial centre of the Khmer empire 0 5 kms. To Sukhothai in the 12th century, before
To Airport & 1195 101 Sawankhalok 8 NEW SUKHOTHAI To Si Samrong & Sawankhalok To Tak Sukhothai R Historical Park RIVE O M & Pailyn Hotel Y Fuang Fah Res. 12 (10:00-22:00) Kiln 61 Northern 101 Palace (Wang Nua Hotel) To Kamphaeng Ratchathani Wat Information (09:00-16:00) Phet Hotel To Phitsanuloke Sri Night 12 Chum 1113 market area Wat Sa Sri 12 Ban Kao
12 Wat Trapang MONUMENTS AND MUSEUMS Park is on foot only after 17:00 Sukhothai Thong Luang Wat IN SUKHOTHAI PROVINCE until the park is closed at 19:00. A Historical Park Mahathat The museums (open Wed-Sun: detailed map is available at the Sukhothai 09:00-1600), historical parks and information centre. For a map of National nearby temples in Sukhothai Pro- Sukhothai Historical Park, go to the 0LD SUKHOTHAI Museum vince charge admission fees. If you adjacent National Museum) (BAN KAO) plant to visit most of these, you can The National Museums (at 0 500 m. save by buying a ‘total ticket’, which Sawankhalok and Old Sukhothai) 1113 To Si Satchanalai & Thung Saliam
will give you access to all sites in the and the kiln site extensions contain 12 9 province within 30 days. Buddha images, pottery, old photos, Ban 12 To Sukhothai & 12 Kao Sawankhalok There are separate charges for models as well as in-depth informa- To Tak 12 Sukhothai vehicles to enter the Historical Parks tion about the sites. Cultural Centre-Thai Pailyn Hotel (Access to Si Satchanalai Historical Village House (Resort)
8 R have hotels, but Sukhothai has more Tel: (055) 613310-5 Fax: (66 55) 613317. To Si Satchanalai SAWANKHALOK Historical Park to offer at night. The best hotel close to the Histo- To Si Satchanalai Historical Park rical Park in Sukhothai.
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Y Nakhon (listed in order of location on the recommended tour route). Suwanthanas (Wang Yom Resort).
Footbridge 78/2 Mu 6 Si Satchanalai. Tel: (055) 1201 611179, 612277 ext. 279 Fax: (66 55) Sawanwaranayok 623448. Mobile: 01-3565627. Lovely Sukhothai Dawn National Museum garden atmosphere and quiet bunga- lows on riverbanks. Adv. booking recommended. Suphalai Place Hotel. 39 Mu 4, DAY 2: Muang Inn Sawankhalok, Sukhothai 64110. (055) SIDE TRIP To 641627 Fax: (66 55) 641772. A Thung 101 small but reasonable hotel 2 kms. south ★ WIANG KOSAI NATIONAL Saliam 1048 7 of the centre of Sawankhalok and PARK. — ST 3 To Airport & Suphalai Thoen The Sukhothai Resort Hotel, 99 Mu 1195 Place To Sukhothai (H1023. KM.74. north turn 3 Sukhothai 7 Tambol Samruan, Sisamrong District, kms.) The park centres on the Sukhothai. Tel: (055) 681698-9, 681700. relatively small Mae Koeng Luang the upper Chao Phraya basin and Fax: (66 55) 681697. KM 19/20 Falls. A walkway leads up (approx. enjoyed vassal tribute from as far as left turn by large seated Buddha north 300m) to the seventh level of the Pegu in Burma, Luang Phabang in Laos of Samrong District. Luxurious resort cascades. and Nakhon Sri Thammarat in the on the banks of the Yom River. south. After Ramkhamhaeng’s death Northern Palace Hotel (Wang Nua). in 1298, Sukhothai rapidly declined, 43 Singhawat Rd, Sukhothai 64000. Tel: QUICK RETURN ROUTES TO making way for the growth of (055) 611193-4 Fax: (66 55) 612038. CHIANG MAI. Thai style hotel in the middle of Ayutthaya. Sukhothai - Chiang Mai via the new town of Sukhothai. The provincial town of Sawan- Thung Saliam, Thoen, Li and Pailyn Hotel. 10/2 Charodwithi- khalok is smaller than (new) Sukhothai Chom Thong. 326 Kms. thong Rd (H12), Sukhothai 64210. and seems to have more charm. Both Take H1113 from Sukhothai Historical Park approx. 29 kms ALTERNATIVE ROUTE from Key Point 9 and turn left SOUTH TO BANGKOK VIA (west) onto H1048 and head for KAMPHAENG PHET Thoen (82 kms) via Thung Saliam From Key Point 8 it is just over (20 kms). Though sign posts are in 80 kms. on H101 to a third historical Thai only, the road numbers are park at Kamphaeng Phet. The town clearly marked. owed its importance to its location From Thoen you may proceed on trading routes following the along H1 to Key Point 3 and the River Ping on the frontier of the fastest route to Chiang Mai (total Kingdom of Sukhothai between Wat Phra Si Iriyabot distance 186 kms), or you may take Ayutthaya and Lanna. the less busy route H106 via Li. To Sukhothai The town makes a conve- 101 KAMPHAENG PHET This will allow you to return either nient overnight stop on a Historical Park via Lamphun, visiting Wat Bang
two-day drive to Bangkok. Wat Phra Si Pang at KM.86 on the way (215 Modern hotels in the down- Iriyabot kms — see alternative route on town area include: Wat Phra Non 1 2 kms Day 1), or via Doi Tao using H1103
P I Phet Hotel. 189 Bamrung- N to Key Point 17 in Hod, rejoining G National Museum R City Pillar I V rat Rd., Kamphaeng Phet To Tak E the full tour (257 kms. see Day 5). R Wat Phra Kaew 62000. Tel: (055) 712810-5 Old City Walls The first (approx.) 30 kms. of Fax: (66 55) 712816. H106 to Li has many bends and is
Chakungrao Hotel. 123/ Chakungrao a conduit for slow, heavy trucks 101 Hotel To Phichit 1 Tedsa Rd. Kamphaeng Night 115 carrying lignite. Once past the market Phet Hotel Petch 62000. Tel: (055) 711315, Navarat Hotel lignite mine, the route becomes area 711325-6. To Nakhon Sawan & Bangkok easy.
9 R 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.
8 KEY POINT EIGHT
H101 Si Satchanalai/Kamphaeng Phet & H12 Sukhothai/Tak
9 KEY POINT NINE
H12 Sukhothai/Tak and H1113 to Si Satchanalai
10 KEY POINT TEN
H1 Lampang/Tak & H12 to Sukhothai
11 KEY POINT ELEVEN
H1 Tak/Kamphaeng Phet and H105 to Mae Sot Wat Mahathat, Sukhothai Wat 12 KEY POINT TWELVE left at Key Point 10 or drive straight to 11. The drive offers side trips to parks H105 Tak/Mae Sot & H1090 to the river. Turn left (south) immediately and hill-tribe villages, as well as the Umphang (traffic circle) before the bridge across the river to opportunity for fresh coffee at the see the town and go to the Chid Chon hill-tribe products market at KM.29. A rom Sukhothai Historical Park, H12 Restaurant. shrine at KM.70 honours Chao Pho F is a fast drive to Tak. You may turn Turn west onto H105 at Key Point Phawo, who died defending the spot
101 1175 To Thoen & Lampang Phrathat BAN 9 24 hr. Ton Kaew Ban Tak DAN LAN 1175 Ban 12 P 1 HOI I Kao N Sukhothai G SUKHO M Historical 8
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E V Park THAI I
R E R I V Y O E 105 10 R M 12 R I V E R Ban Mae Taksin TAK Lamao National Park KHIRIMAT Ban Huai 105 Kalok 1140 11 Ban Lahu Phrathat 105 104 1132 Hin Kiu 101 13 Ban Lahu 12 Ban Lahu Lan Sang MAE SOT (Musoe Hill National Park Moei Hilltribe Tribe Villages) Miyawadi Development Bridge PHRAN KRATAI 1090 Centre
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1090 Historical Park SUKHOTHAI to MAE SOT To Umphang KAMPHAENG PHET 115
10 R To Thoen Tourism TAK Shrine Authority To of King Taksin of Thailand DAY 3: SIDE TRIPS Ban the Great Tak Beer 10 1107 Gardens ★ BHUMIPHOL DAM 12 — ST 4
P I N (61 Kms.) To G
R I reach the world’s eighth V To Sukhothai E R largest concrete arch dam turn north on H1 1 and then west at KM.462 Footbridge to Sam Ngao. Follow the signs from Tak to Viang Tak 2 Hotel Ban Tak and Sam Ngao for an alternative rural Suan Sin route on the west bank Garden Resort of the Ping. A rest house near the dam offers 104 accommodation. Amazing Tree
★ LAN SANG NA- park is famous for a huge specimen TIONAL PARK — ST 5 of anisoptera, a species of diptero- (3 kms.) The park carp. You have to sign in before entering the park. To reach the tree 1 Chid Chon contains a small water- Restaurant fall popular with the you walk 400m down a very steep track to the bottom of a ravine. Bird 11 people of Tak. To Mae Sot 105 To Kamphaeng Phet calls, primary forest and cool ★ LISU, HMONG temperatures in the evergreen lower AND LAHU VILLAGES — ST 6 down compensate for the stiff climb (5 kms.) A right (south) turn on back up. Allow one hour for the a sealed concrete road just before walk. KM.26 leads through a Lisu and a ★ Hmong village to a Hill-tribe THE MOEI RIVER FRONTIER Development Centre. Drive through CROSSING — ST 8 the centre to reach a Lahu village. (5 kms.) Drive past Key Point 13 Other villages of the Lahu Shehleh to the end of H105 at the bridge sub-group may be reached by across the Moei into Myanmar. Tour- taking a north turn (5 kms. 4WD) ists may walk across for a day visit along a dirt road near KM.27. (until 17:30) and will need 10 US$. You will get a new visa upon return- ★ TAKSIN MAHARAT NA- ing to Thailand. The Grapow Pla Mae Sot morning market TIONAL PARK — ST 7 restaurant on the north side of the (3 kms. 4WD after 2 kms.) The bridge ramp is good. 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. Bhumiphol Dam Lahu Shehleh
11 R To Mae Sariang To Tak MAE SOT Khao-Mao Khao-Fang The Central ACCOMMODATION (km.2 10:00-22:00) Mae Sot Hill 105 105 Hotel 12 105 Viang Tak 2 Hotel. 236 Chomphol 13 Rd. Tak 63000. Tel: (055) 512507-8. A modern medium rise hotel on the SP river front near the main market of Tak. Tour DK Hotel The Central Mae Sot Hill Hotel, 100 Asia Highway, Mae Sot, Tak 63110. Tel: Porn Thep Hotel (055) 532601-8 Fax: (66 53) 532600. Bangkok Office Fax: (66 2) 541 1038. Kwangtung (Chinese) The most luxurious hotel in the Restaurant Mae Sot area. Morning market area 1090 Porn Thep Hotel. 25/4 Soi Sri Wiang, 105 To Moei River Bridge & Myanmar Prasathwithi Rd, Mae Sot, Tak. Tel: (055) 532590-4. Thai style medium rise 0 500 m. To Umphang hotel in the middle of town.
SPECIAL SIDE TOUR TO ing on state of upkeep) make travel UMPHANG slow. Allow at least five hours for the (164 kms one way. 4WD) H1090 journey. is the only way in to the small Umphang offers comfortable district town of Umphang, which is rustic-style bungalow/guest house bounded by the Burmese border and accommodation. There are noodle by mountainous and protected shops on the high street and restau- nature reserves. rants at the guest houses. Night From Key Point 12 H1090 is a entertainment is provided by well- good highway. H1206 (KM.31 west known folk singer Khru San at Gift turn) goes to Pop Phra District, the House (H1090. KM.162), when he is large Karen refugee camp at Ban Mo in town. Koe, and the border crossing at Ban Guest houses offer combination Wa Le. The Kulap Doi (Mountain rafting, elephant and trekking tours Rose) Restaurant. (07:00-21:00: Tel: through magnificient scenery to 055 520349) and Phacharoen Falls waterfalls and Karen villages along (700 m. west ) are both near KM.36 the Umphang River. The minimum and provide an opportunity to break. required time is two nights in Tilosu Falls The last gas stations before Umphang for the main day-trip to Umphang are around KM.44, after Tilosu falls, but longer treks for wild- Tel: (055) 561063-4. Fax: (66 53) which point the road narrows and life enthusiasts can be arranged. 561065. - Part of SP Tour the surface deteriorates. The rest of Though walk-in clients are catered which has an office in Mae Sot (055) the journey follows a spectacular for, advance booking is advised, 546112-4 (see map) and operates a route along precipitous slopes, high especially during peak periods. rustic guest house near Mae Salit ridges and across deep ravines. (Day 4). Sharp corners, steep grades, pitted ACCOMMODATION IN and broken road surfaces (depend- UMPHANG UMPHANG Bunyaporn Resort. 106 Um- phang-Palatha Rd, Umphang, Tak Hospital 63170. Tel: (055) 561040-1. - An older guest house with newly-built Power Station Phu Doi Res. To riverside bungalows on stilts. District Mae 1090 Offices Tu Ka Su Cottage. 40 Mu 6, Sot Umphang, Tak 63170. Tel: (055) 561295 or mobile: (01) 8258238. Fax: (66 2) Umphang House (GH.) 9164164. - Khun Suchart (‘Woody’) Bunyaporn Resort & Res. Villa Tour (GH.) E R I V provides friendly service in adjoining R G Umphang Hill Resort (SP Tour) N Huai A H family-sized bungalows. P Tu Kasu Cottage & Res. U M Nam Yen Umphang Hill Resort. Umphang- Ruan Kaew GH. To Doi Hua Mot & Ban Palatha Skaw Karen Palatha Rd. Umphang, Tak 63170. Garden Resort (Karen. 26 kms. 4WD)
12 R DAY 4 : MAE SOT - MAE SARIANG 232 kms.
Karen villages in striking scenery are found along the Moei River that forms the frontier between Thailand and Myanmar. The route follows the river before climb- ing away to the north to pass over into the valley of the River Yuam and to the small town of Mae Sariang.
13 KEY POINT THIRTEEN he Moei river flows To Mae Hong Son To Mae Chaem
M north-west into the A T E Ob Luang 1088 H105 to the Moei River and H105 C 108 Salween river in Myanmar H National Park A To Ban Sam E to Mae Sariang. M through borderlands occu- R I V E R pied by the Karen. Until 6:00-21:00 14 KEY POINT FOURTEEN MAE SARIANG 15 16 HOD recently the Burmese side 17 108 of the border was under 14 H105 to Mae Sot and H108 Mae 24 hr. Sariang/Chiang Mai control of independent km.219 24 hr. Karen, many of whom Ban Ton Phung 1103 have fled to Thailand and 1194 1099 CAUTION: now live in refugee camps SOP MOEI Do not travel H105 between in the Mae Sot area (H105 105 km.190 Mae Ngao the district towns of Mae Ramat passes one of these National Park ER V around KM.60.) I and Sop Moei after dark. Military R N
G M Tha Song Yang Dis- A U A checkpoints may prevent you from Y O OMKOI trict town is a small bor- R I entering remote stretches of road V E because of recent instability along der town, but the scenery R is more impressive around the border. The route is quite safe Ban Tha during the day, but you should the half-way point at Mae Song Yang make sure you have a full tank of Salit (KM.114), where gas when you leave Mae Ramat or there is a small restaurant Ban Mae Ramoeng
(06:00-18:00). You may M Tha Song Yang district towns. Mae Moei National Park A detour to see life on the Mae Salit E T
km.114 U
N
R I V 105 E R Mae Usu km.94 Caves THA SONG M YANG O E I R I V E R
1175 Phrathat Ton Kaew MAE RAMAT M Y A N M A R 105 ( B U R M A ) Ban Huai Kalok 24 hr. Phrathat Hin Kiu 13 105 12 Miyawadi MAE SOT Moei 0 10 20 kms. Bridge 1090
MAE SOT to MAE SARIANG Moei River
13 R To Mae Hong Son MAE SARIANG 108 DAY 4: SIDE TRIPS Royal Foundation for ★ MAE USU CAVES — ST 9 Handicrafts (KM.94. West turn 2 kms.) Part of the Moei River
Rd.
nit
a National Park, the caves are about 300m. long. Karen guides
h
P
g 108 (voluntary contribution expected) will show you through
n
e a
L the caves. Riverside Guest House To km. 14 ★ 103 NATIONAL PARKS OFF H105 (4WD) — ST 10 mai Rd. Mae Sam Laep Wiang (46 kms) Mitr A Ree Hotel To The Moei River National Park HQ is 11 kms. up a dirt 09:00-23:00 Lotus Chiang Renu Mit A Ree Guest Hotel & Mai road at an east turn north of KM.114. There are two guest Inthra 08:00-23:00 House Guest 105 houses after 15 kms (check first if they are open. The Kamolsorn Hotel House Monkrating Guest House is run by SP Tour. Mae Sot Tel:
Wat (055) 546121-4 Fax: (66 55) 532279. Bangkok Res. Fax: (66 2) Suphan Rangsri to Mae Sot (230 kms) 5737942). The road climbs to viewpoints (18-20 kms) over misty valleys in the early morning, before descending to the Karen village of Mae Ra Moeng (35 kms.) river at Mae Salit and Ban Tha Song Tel: (053) At KM.190 a dirt road goes to Mae Ngao National Park Yang, before the road turns passes over 681048, 681156. (5 kms.) and to a viewpoint over the morning mists. to the valley of the Mae Ngao and down Functional to Mae Sariang on the Yuam River. hotel in enter- tainment complex. Mit A Ree Guest House (Wiang Mai ACCOMMODATION Rd) Tel: (053) 681109. Fax: (66 53) 681280. Bungalows at the back of Kamolsorn Hotel (Mae Sariang Rd). the hotel compound offers the best Tel: (053) 618623. Fax: (66 53) 681203. accommodation in Mae Sariang. Functional downtown hotel
Lotus Guest House (Wiang Mai Rd) Near Ban Tha Song Yang
DAY 5 : MAE SARIANG - CHIANG MAI 190 kms.
The main road crosses the high country populated by the Karen and Lawa between the Salween and Ping watersheds before entering the valley of the Mae Chaem River. Routes upstream and downstream along the Mae Chaem Valley offer different approaches to the highest mountain in Thailand, Doi Inthanon.
15 KEY POINT FIFTEEN junction of H1012 to Doi Tao and Li crosses cleared uplands in a series of with H108 passes between small valleys. Side (KM.56) The bridge at Ban Kong roads lead to Karen and Thai villages Loi and the turn off for side trip 11. 18 KEY POINT EIGHTEEN in the plateau country.
16 KEY POINT SIXTEEN Wat Phrathat Chom Thong The road descends from the pine forests of the Bo Luang plateau, reach- (KM.22) The junction of H1088 at 19 KEY POINT NINETEEN ing the turn off for the alternative route the start of the alternative route to Mae to Mae Chaem on H1088 at KM.22. Go Airport Plaza intersection of H108 Chaem, the summit of Doi Inthanon to Ob Luang gorge at KM.17 on H108 and the Om Muang Rd near the Bud- and Chom Thong (117 kms.) for short walks in the National Park on get Office. a picturesque part of the Mae Chaem 17 KEY POINT SEVENTEEN fter the climb away from the river. The clock tower at Hod and the A Yuam River Valley, the route H108 continues to Hot and Chom
14 R 1096 MAE RIM Sunflowers Mae Sa SAMOENG Ban U Kho DAY 5: 12 (Hmong) Ban Huai Mana KHUN YUAM 1263 CHIANG MAI 24 SIDE TRIPS 24 hr. 19 Ban Muang Pon (Karen) HANG DONG ★ Ban Hang Pon BAN SAM — ST 11 Luang Ta Kham SAN 10:00-22:00 Ban Nong Haeng PATONG (H108 KM.56 Left turn [north] 108 Doi Inthanon after bridge. 46 kms. 4 hrs). This road 1263 Kao Mai Park HQ Ban Thung Sieo Mae Pan Vachiratarn Lanna follows high ground to the new 10:00-22:00
Y route Little Home Mae Tho National Park and the U Ban Mae La Luang e
A 1192 v MAE CHAEM ti RIVER M Guest House A a G Hmong village of Lao Lee e l tern Mae Klang I N t R Lai Hin Guest House 108 P
u
I
V 09:00-24:00 o
r (KM.16). From Lao Lee the road E
R R Mae Ya Ban Mae Pang R I V E e
M v E i
Ban Sam t descends passing Karen villages A CHOM THONG H a 18 (Lawa) C n Pang Thong Hotel MAE 108 r E
e [At Ban Mae Ap walk 1.5 kms to a A
t l Mon Duang Duan LA NOI M 1088 1266 A Ban Nong Ap Chang 06:00-21:00 waterfall at KM.24] in beautiful R E Ban Mae Ap V Ban La Up Khao I mountain scenery, eventually (Karen) R (Lawa) Krairaj Ob Luang G Ban Mae Tia N I reaching the Lawa village of Ban Thephanom Resort P Ban Lao Lee Mae Tho (Hmong) Hot Springs22 Sam. (Hmong) 1270 16 Hod HOD 14 108 Resort17 MAE SARIANG MAE km.103 Ban Mae Ho SARIANG 108 (Karen) km.54 to CHIANG MAI 06:00-21:00 24 hr. 15 Ban Kong Loi1099 To Om Koi (50kms)
Thong. The village of Nong Ap Chang (Pa Saeng Da Textile Museum KM.69 ACCOMMODATION right turn [east]. 500m.) is famous for local weaving. In Chom Thong itself, Khao Krairaj Resort. KM.17. Wat Phrathat Sri Chom Thong is an im- Hot-Mae Sariang Rd. Hod. Tel: (01) portant pilgrimage site for Thai Bud- 2243818. Plank wood rooms in dhists. lovely setting at Ob Luang National Park. From Chom Thong you may visit Doi Hot Resort. (KM.5 [4 kms. from Inthanon (KM.60 left turn [west] on Hot]) Tel: (053) 460070. Mobile: (01) H1009. 47 kms.) as well as to the Mae 9501700. Rustic A frame huts by Ya Falls (KM. 60 left turn [west] on the Mae Chaem River. H1009 for one kilometre and then left Pang Thong Hotel (KM.58 on the turn [south] again). north side of Chom Thong). Tel: (053) From Chom Thong, H108 is a fast 826605. Fax: (66 53) 826609. Fun- route back to Chiang Mai and the Bud- ctional new hotel near the town. get Office near Key Point 19. Mae Phan Falls, Doi Inthanon
ALTERNATIVE ROUTE TO MAE chedis at KM.40 before going to the CHAEM & DOI INTHANON visitor centre and nature trail at the Turn left (north) at KM.22 onto summit. H1088 to Mae Chaem (45 kms.). The The journey down to Chom road passes the Thephanom hot Thong (47 kms. from the summit) springs after 9 kms. Beware of trucks passes the park headquarters and carrying lignite using the same road. three major waterfalls. On H108 a 2 Mae Chaem is a small rural district kms. detour south along H108 to town famous for weaving. Sur- Wat Phrathat Sri Chom Thong (Key rounding villages are traditional and Point 18) is worthwhile before have some lovely old temples, and returning to Chiang Mai. the nearby hills are populated by the Lai Hin Guest House (2 kms Hmong and Karen. from Mae Chaem on H1088). Tel: H1192 is a narrow road with 828258. The most comfortable many sharp curves up Doi Inthanon, accommodation and restaurant in joining H1009 after 22 kms. Turn left the Mae Chaem area. Spaghnum moss on Aangh Kha (north) onto H1009 to reach the royal (Doi Inthanon)
15 R SAFE DRIVING IN THAILAND
THAI ROADS DRIVERS LICENSE All main and most minor All drivers must hold a roads are sealed. Warning current, non-probationary signs and reflective arrows À¬ÿ¥ license. The license may either mark sharp corners, while tem- be Thai, or from the renter’s porary signs mark hazards like country of residence (with an English translation), or an landslides and road works STOP NO PASSING (these can be extensive where international driver’s permit. upgrading is in process). Main Licenses (and a valid passport) intersections are illuminated must be carried at all times when driving. with sodium lighting. The À¬ÿ¥ government is firmly in con- IF YOU HAVE AN trol of the whole country and µ√«® ACCIDENT: highway robbery has been unheard of for many years. If possible leave your vehicle where it came to rest, STOP (POLICE) CHECK SLIPPERY ROAD ROAD SIGNS AND (so that police can apportion KILOMETRE STONES blame for the accident) and contact the police as soon as Bilingual (English/Thai) possible. Dial 191 for a toll free road signs indicate destinations call to the local police or 1699 and route numbers before for the tourist police. Make intersections, and show the sure injured parties get to a road number and the distance hospital as soon as possible to the next main destination (other Thais will often take care of this) and set up warn- after the intersection. Kilo- STEEP HILL FALLING ROCKS (LAND SLIDE) metre markers show the road ings for other drivers ( placing branches of trees on the road); number and distance down then contact Budget. Stay with the road on the front face. Dis- For reservations, please contact your your vehicle and take care of tances to the next destination travel consultant or call Budget: your valuables! in the direction of travel are found on the side of the stone. In the U.K.: 0541 56 56 56 DRIVING ON DIRT In the U.S.: (800) 527-0700 ROADS LOCAL DRIVERS In Germany: 01 80 / 5 24 43 88 In Australia: 13-28-48 Dirt Roads go all over the Most drivers in Thailand In Singapore: 532-4442 mountains, but even Thais can get lost in the maze of cross- are reasonable, if not a little In Thailand: 66 2 203-0250 selfish for they tend to give roads, so taking a guide way little. Be careful of (approx. 500 Baht/day) for remote roads is advisable. oncoming vehicles that over- not drive fast just after dusk as at the major towns, but rural take and force you to take to The tracks are steep and lots of local traffic is returning stations will close in the narrow and very tricky in the the hard shoulder. Be ready to to the villages. Many traffic evening. Prices are around 13 go onto the hard shoulder at a rainy season. If you plan an accidents happen at this time baht a litre, and gas stations overnight trip on a dirt road moment’s notice, especially on in Thailand! Be careful of will require cash. trip take the following: torch, corners and hills! Be careful of WITHIN DESIGN (053) 272111-2 oncoming vehicles with one candles and matches, warm vehicles entering from side light — they may not be ROAD RULES clothes (especially in winter), roads, which may not stop. motorcycles! Night driving is water, dry food, insect repel- The maximum speed limit not recommended. lent, and a full tank of gas. AT NIGHT is 60 kph in town and 90 kph Drive very slowly to prevent FUEL on highways, if you can mechanical problems from Many vehicles do not have believe it! Seat belts should be stranding you. rear lights, especially carts, 24 hour service stations worn and driving while drunk motorcycles and bicycles. Do are found on main routes and is illegal. Happy safe driving!
R Budget WorldClass Drives CHIANG MAI - THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE LOOP
INSTRUCTIONS
Go this way umbered pointers listed in sequence in the direction of travel show you N when you have to make turns along the recommended route. Some turns at Pointer number junctions (where English language signs are absent) will also include descrip- 3 and direction of travel tions to help you visually check you go in the correct direction
Kilometre references are noted in Fill up with petrol! Remote coun- Remember to always take enough two ways: try roads have no filling stations, or drinking water - allow for emergencies only serve fuel from a drum (more ex- H107 KM13 = Kilometre stone 13 is pensive). Fill up with petrol at the point Accommodation. Upper and the nearest kilometre marker on of instruction to avoid running out of middle level places to stay are listed Highway 107. fuel later on the recommended route. with telephone numbers. Guest House OdK13 = Kilometre 13 estimated by style accommodation is plentiful in the vehicle odometer (allow for Alternative route. (AR) There are main towns and is shown on maps in variation). many roads to travel in Thailand. The rural areas. We strongly advise pre- direction pointers follow recom- booking accommodation in the high KM99 A point of interest or side mended routes that aim to give you a season and during festivals. trip off the route is located near this variety of roads and scenery where kilometre point. possible. Alternative route directions In order that we may continually show you where you may take your improve our service to our customers, Zero odometer (reset odometer to own route using information found please advise us of errors or make sug- zero)! Most main roads have kilometre only on the maps. Shorter alternative gestions for these route information stones and bilingual signs, but some- routes are usually less interesting than sheets. You may do so to our office times they are missing, and small coun- the recommended route. staff or directly to
ROADS, SIGNS AND KILOMETRE STONES SYMBOL LIST All main and most minor roads are sealed. Warning signs and reflective arrows mark sharp corners, while temporary signs mark Main Road Kilometre 100 hazards like landslides and road works. Main intersections are 100 illuminated with sodium lighting. The government is firmly in Minor Road Temple control of the whole country and there are no security problems. Bilingual (English/Thai) road signs indicate destinations and Unsealed Road Park route numbers before intersections, and show the road number Suggested Routes Water Fall and the distance to the next main destination after the intersec- tion. Kilometre stones show the road number and distance the River Hot Springs. road on the front face. Distances to the next destination in the direction of travel are found on the side of the stone. Province Hotel/Resort/Guest House
District Hospital Emergency Assistance Tel: (02) 256-7145 0 Pointer Gas Station
R Traffic Lights Restaurant SOS 1 R R CHIANG MAI SECTION 1 : 218 kms. THATON
1 POINTER ONE Thaton CHIANG MAI to THATON ∑“µÕπ 107 H107 KM4 Take Highway 107 to Mae Rim and 2285 1089 MAE AI Chiang Dao, starting at the intersection of Doi Phahom Pok ·¡àÕ“¬ 11 R RIVE Chiang Mai- Lampang Superhighway and H107 NG 1 FA Mae Nam Fang M NA to Mae Rim and Chiang Dao MYANMAR National Park KM17 Highway 1096 west to Samoeng and the Mae Sa FANG Ω“ß Valley. Orchid Farms, elephant camps, the Queen Sirikit Ang Khang 1930 8 6 ¥Õ¬Õà“ߢ“ß Botanical Gardens, Upland Resorts and Hmong Hilltribe Nature Resort Doi Ang Khang Lut Khao Nung (artist's compound — entrance villages. 1249 permitted for viewing if gate open) KM28 Mae Sa Snake Farm (Branch). 30 min. shows
74 09:30-17:00 To KM53 Mae Ping Elephant Village: Shows 08:30 & 10:00 Wiang Tham Ngop 109 Arunothai 5 + rides to Lisu hilltribe village Haeng CHAI PRAKAN KM56 Elephant Training Centre: Shows 09:00 &10:00 + Sinchai ‰™¬ª√“°“√ Ban Mai rides to Lisu hilltribe village 4 Nong Bua KM72 Chiang Dao Inn and road west to caves (5 & Tham Tap Tao 8 kms). Khrua Chiang Dao restaurant opposite (caves) 1178 AR N 2 POINTER TWO 3 107 1178 107 1322 H107 KM78 Turn left on H1178 singposted Chiang Dao Hill Resort 2 Wiang Haeng. Zero your odometer & follow blue signs for Ang Khang Nature Resort along this route. (For a shorter direct route continue on H107 to Rim Doi P7 and Thaton. Total distance from Chiang Mai 173kms). Resort 1150 R 2 E V I R KM4 Naresuan monument commemorates death of King G N I 2240 P æ√â“« Naresuan in 1605 CHIANG DAO PHRAO ‡™’¬ß¥“«
1150 3 POINTER THREE R 1178
E
V
I
R T
A H1178 KM9 Go straight to Ban Na Wai at T- G
Training centre N Mae Taman Rafting 1322 Elephant Camp junction. (H1322 goes west to Wiang Haeng). (Elephant Camp) Mae Ping Elephant Village 3 Royal Ping 1001 Garden Resort Khrua Khun Ya R 4 POINTER FOUR
Mae Ngat Dam 1178 H1178 OdK33 Turn right to Ban Arunothai at ·¡à·µß ‡¢◊ËÕπ·¡àß—¥ T-junction. MAE TAENG CHIANG MAI OFFICE 4 1323 1095 (053) 202871 Mae Malai 5 POINTER FIVE ·¡àµ“¡“π 1001 H1178 OdK42 After military checkpoint turn 1001 5 right at intersection in Ban Arunothai and fol- 107 low rough road leading east out of town. Set 107 CHIANG MAI CITY odometer to zero! Road improves outside of town. Steep 11 ·¡à√‘¡ Wang1 Tarn Resort climbs and tight turns on narrow sealed road begin after MAE RIM 118 KM6. 1096 HUAI KAEW RD. Regent —π∑√“¬ 118 Resort C.M. SAN SAI KM16 Ban Tham Ngop; former HQ of Kuomintang 3rd SUTHEP RD. army under Gen Li Wen-huan 1 DOI SAKET ¥Õ¬ –‡°Á¥ Train Station OdK19 Lahu (Muser) hilltribe village on south side of 1006 P I 1014 N road
G
R
I
V E
1269 Airport R CHIANG MAI 1006 11
OM M UA NG 108 R RD
106 2 R 6 POINTER SIX ANG KHANG KM35 Take lower (left) road to Ang Khang at 6 the road fork. The upper (right) road leads to H1249 at KM19 (See Ang Khang detail map). Fort & Palaung Hilltribe Village Return on H1249 to H107 - caution on very steep descent! MYANMAR Agricultural Station Ang Khang Nature Resort 7 POINTER SEVEN Kop Dong 107 N 7 H107 KM137 T-junction. H1089 joins H107. Turn left (north) onto H107
8 POINTER EIGHT Ban Luang AR 5Kms Nature trail to peak H107 KM148 T-junction with bypass. Continue straight to go through Fang (see detail map) or Steep! 8 6 take bypass which joins H1089 at KM4
Fill petrol tank in Thaton area
R 1249 To Tham Ngop To H107 Fang & pointer 7 Arunothai ACCOMMODATION • Regent Resort, Mae Rim (053) 298181 Fax: 298189 FANG To Thaton • Ang Khang Nature Resort, Ang Khang (053) 453 515-19 Fax: 453 520 • Chiang Dao Inn Hotel, Chiang Dao. Tel: 455132 • Chiang Dao Hill Resort M (H107 KM100) M (053) 232434 UK Fax: 251372 • Mae Kok River Lodge & Village, Thaton (053) 459328 Fax: 459329 (Lodge) 459355 (Village) • Thaton Chalet. Thaton (053) 373155-7 Fax: 373158 To Hot Springs & Bypass Khu Charoenchai • Thaton River View Hotel. Thaton (053) 459289 Fax: 459288
NORTHERN THAILAND : CHIANG MAI - THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE Chok Thani L A O S M Y A N M A R MAE SAI N 1290 ( B U R M A ) 1129 110 CHIANG SAEN 1016 CHIANG
1016 KHONG 1130 1020 0 500m. 1098 Ruan Kumphranang 1234 1271 1174 WIANG MAE CHAN THATON 1089 KAEN 1098 1155 1089 MAE AI 110 1173 1020 CHIANG RAI FANG 1174 R 1211 1249 WIANG PHAYA 107 CHAI MANGRAI CHAI PRAKAN 1020 1020 118 To Chiang Mai 109 1155 1093 1020 1178 12 MAE SUAI 1 THOENG 1322 107 PA DAET CHIANG KHAM WIANG PA PAO 1021 THATON 1150 1202 N To Mae Salong, 118 Doi Tung & PHRAO CHIANG DAO MAE CHAI Section 2 1150 CHUN Thaton 1001 MAE KHACHAN 1021 River View 24 MAE PHAYAO TAENG 1323 120 1095 DOK KHAM TAI N
K 1001 O 1001 K R 107 I V Mae Kok E Checkpoint R River Lodge 1096 MAE RIM SAN SAI 118 River Side House DOI SAKET Section 1. Chiang Mai - Thaton Sanaychai Nam Thaton 1014 Garden Home 1269 Section 2. Thaton - Mae Sai Chalet 1006 K O K 106 R I V Section 3 .Mae Sai - Chiang Khong Wat Thaton E R Chankasem 108 Section 4 .Chiang Khong - Phayao
Apple Guest House R CHIANG MAI Section 5. Phayao - Chiang Mai Thip’s Traveller’s Section 6. Chiang Saen - Chiang Mai R Apple Guest House Mae Kok River Village House
1089 To Fang Section 1 3 R R THATON SECTION 2 : 115 kms. MAE SAI
R Takhilek 12 MYANMAR ·¡à “¬ ∫â“πº“¡’ MAE SAI Ban Pha Mi 1290
Laliohi Falls Ban Hua Section 3 Mae Kham ∫â“π·¡à‡¡“– 11 Ban Mae Mo 10
8 ∫â“π “¡—§§’‡°à“ 9 Wat Phrathat Doi Tung Ban Samaki Kao N Mae Fa Luang Gardens ∫â“π‡∑‘¥‰∑¬ 7 1149 Thoed Thai ·¡àøÑ“À≈«ß Mae Fah Luang 6 Ban Samaki Mai Rim Than ∫â“π “¡—§§’„À¡à 1 0 5 10 kms Guest House 5
1130 1016
Hilltribe Development 1098 3 Centre 4 Ban Sam Yaek Ikor 1234 Mae Salong ∫â“π “¡·¬°Õ’°âÕ ·¡à®—π ∫â“π·¡à ≈Õß MAE CHAN
2
1089 Mae Chan Resort & Fishing Park Lisu Lao Ta Laan Tong Village (Asa Guest House) Pong Nam Ron 1
KM. 38 Section 1 ∫â“π∑à“µÕπ Thaton ∫â“π·¡à ≈—° Mae Salak MAE AI ∫â“πÀπÕߢ’Èπ° ·¡àÕ“¬ Nong Khi Nok 1
1 POINTER ONE 3 POINTER THREE H1089 KM24. Leave Thaton northbound. Mae Salong 43, H1089/1234 KM 30 Go straight through Mae Salong, former Mae Chan 62 Fill Petrol tank before KM38! HQ of remnants of Gen Tuan Shi-wens 5th Kuomintang army. (see detail map) KM38 Left turn (west) up concrete lane to wealthy Lisu village of Lao Ta. Caution : narrow roads, sharp bends and steep gradients KM53 Akha hilltribe village on east side (many Akha are frequent on the rest of this section. villages throughout this area). KM13 Concrete lane west to Akha village of Ban Ameh
AR 2 POINTER TWO 1089 4 POINTER FOUR H1089 KM54 Left turn (west) on H1234/1089 H1234 KM9 Ban Sam Yaek Ikor. Right turn 2 to Mae Salong. (Continue straight on H1089 4 (north) at T junction with H1130 to Thoed Thai. for faster direct route to Mai Sai via Mae Chan– 1234 Zero odometer! Thaton-Mae Sai total distance 97 kms.)
4 R 5 POINTER FIVE 11 POINTER ELEVEN OdK 8-9 v sharp right turn on narrow sealed OdK43 Doi Chang Mup. Go straight (right fork) 5 road. After almost 1 km you will cross a nar- Garden by entrance to 60 rai garden with azalias and row bridge near ornate Chinese building and 11 rhododendron. Road descends along the bor- go through village. After the bridge, the road follows a river der with Myanmar (Shan State) from this point. to the right (east side). OdK68 Right turn (east) to Ban Pha Mi - Akha and Lahu 6 POINTER SIX villages and alternative route to H110.
OdK20 T junction. Turn Left (north) The right 12 POINTER TWELVE
6 turn for Doi Tung is a longer route with many 12 twists and turns. OdK63 Arrive at T junction with H1 KM890 in Mae Sai (See Mae Sai detail Map) 7 POINTER SEVEN 7 OdK21 T-junction at Ban Samakhi Kao (Akha). ACCOMMODATION Turn left (north) and follow narrow road. • Kum Nai Phol Resort, Mae Salong. Tel: (053) 765001-2 OdK40 Ban Huai Pu Mai - Lahu (Muser) village Fax: 765003 • Mae Salong Resort, Mae Salong. Tel: (053) 765014-8 8 POINTER EIGHT Fax: 765135 OdK27 T-junction - continue straight for Ban • Mae Salong Villa, Mae Salong. Tel: (053) 7651149 Huai Khrai, Ban Pha Bur and junction with Fax:765039 8 H1149. • Wang Thong Hotel, Mae Sai. Tel: (053) 733388-95 Fax:765039 9 POINTER NINE OdK 36 T-junction with H1149 Turn left (west) 1149 to Phrathat Doi Tung (7kms) and Mae Sai (26 9 kms). Go right (downhill) to visit Mae Fah Luang Gardens (4 kms).
10 POINTER TEN H1149 OdK42 bears left (north) uphill at junc- To Temple 10 tion with road going right to Phrathat Doi Tung (Mae Sai 21 kms). Go straight to visit interest- MAE SAI M Y A N M A R ing Buddhist temple. Note animistic Buddhist site near entrance to temple compound with twin pagoda. Top North Mae Sai MAE SAI Guest House Hotel Wang Wat Phrathat Thong Hotel Pha Ngao MAE SALONG Shinwattana Hotel Old road to To hill tribe ne w la Phra Boromathat villages (4 WD) rro the Golden Triangle na Bangkok Bank View Point Wat Phrathat Si Tuang Morning market Mae Salong Central Shin Sane Hills Hotel Guest House Mae Salong 1234 To Mae Chan H i To Doi Tung g h & Pointer 4 Resort s t Gold Dragon Inn r e e t Mae Salong Villa Section 2 N Fuel from drums N
0 500 m. Khum Nai 1 Phol Resort
3 Bank & Market
1234 School Cherry Blossom viewing area
To Thaton R To the Golden Triangle R H1089 & Chiang Saen 1290 To Mae Chan & Chiang Rai Section 3
5 R R MAE SAI SECTION 3 : 89 kms. CHIANG KHONG
MYANMAR ∑à“¢’ȇÀ≈Á° R Thakhilek LAOS ·¡à “¬ MAE SAI 888 E K H O N G R 1 M A I V E R 1290 ∫â“πÀ“¥∫“¬ N Ban Boran Hat Bai Section 2 (Leu textiles) 1 “¡‡À≈’ˬ¡∑Õߧ” 26 Golden Triangle Tham Pla Caves Ban Sop Ruak
5 10 1129
Wat Phrathat Doi Tung Rim Khong ‡™’¬ß· π 2 Wang Pha Taek Falls 1016 CHIANG SAEN 6 3 ‡™’¬ß¢Õß 7 Huai Xai 4 CHIANG KHONG
1 Wat Phrathat Pha Ngao 43 5 1020
1174 1155 1130 ∫â“π∑à“¢â“«‡ª≈◊Õ° 1271 1098 Ban Tha Khao Phluak ∫â“π»√’¥Õπ™—¬ ·¡à®—π 11 ∫â“π∫ßπâÕ¬ Ban Si DonChai (Leu textiles) MAE CHAN Ban Bong Noi 1089 (Section 6 Alternative Route) 28 (Section 4)
35 47 1209 1098 1 ∫â“π·°àπ 1020 1173 1 1 POINTER ONE 4 4 POINTERBan Kaen FOUR M a e K o k R i v e r 1290 To Thoeng 1 To Chiang Rai To Wiang Chai To Phayao Mangrai Leave Mae Sai south on H1 and turn left H1129 KM52 Go Mstraight. a e N a m I n g Bypass (H1290) (east) on H1290 to the Golden Triangle and rejoins H1129 Chiang Saen (37 kms.) 5 POINTER FIVE KM28 Ban Sop Ruak / GoldenTriangle. House of Opium Private Museum in car park by right turn up hill to Wat 5 H1129 KM44 T-junction with H1271. (Take 1271 H1271 for alternative rural return routes to Phrathat Phukao and lookout over Golden Triangle. AR Chiang Rai on H1173 via Wiang Chai, or
2 POINTER TWO H1209 via Tha Khao Pluak — see section 6 ). 2 H1290 KM35 Go straight to Chiang Saen AR 1290 6 POINTER SIX avoiding H1290 bypass (See Chiang Saen detail map). H1129 KM30 Follow main road right at bend 6 (or go straight ahead for alternative rural route
3 POINTER THREE following River Mekong via Hat Bai village to 3 Chiang Khong on minor road. Rejoins H1129 at KM13). AR 1016 H1129 KM53 T-junction with H1016 to Mae Chan (Start of alternative fast return route to KM25 Right turn (south) for Nam Tok Wang Pha Taek - Chiang Mai via Chiang Rai using main high- evergreen gully with modest cascades ways 1016 — see section 6 Chiang Saen - KM19 Ban Kiu Kan. White Hmong hilltribe village Chiang Mai). Go straight for Chiang Khong. KM11 Viewpoint.
KM50 (west side) Wat Phrathat Pha Ngao & view from 7 7 POINTER SEVEN Stupa on hill. H1129 KM0 T-junction. Turn right (south) onto main street in Chiang Khong (see detail map) 6 R To the Golden ACCOMMODATION CHIANG SAEN Triangle & Mae Sai R • Le Meridien Ban Boran, Golden Triangle (Ban Sop Ruak). Tel: (053) 784086 Fax: 784090 Wat Phrathat Gin’s Chomkitti Guest House 2 • The Imperial Golden Triangle, Golden Triangle. Tel: (053) 784001-5 Fax: 784006 • Chiang Saen River Hill, Chiang Saen. Tel: (053) 650826-9 Ban Fax: 650830 Suan House • Guest House style accommodation only in Chiang Khong Wat Roi Kho 3 Wat Pa Sak Wat Chedi Luang Chiang Saen River Hill Hotel 1016 Chiang Saen To Mae Chan National Museum & Chiang Rai 4 L A O S
M A E K H O N G RI V E R
1129
N Wat Phrathat Pha Ngao
To 01 2 kms. Chiang Khong
Make the most of Chiang Mai with CHIANG KHONG Immigration Office & Boat Landing E X P L O R I N G To Chiang Saen 1129 7 CHIANG MAI CITY, VALLEY & MOUNTAINS
Chiang Khong Hotel (basic) L A O S “ n impressive range of photographs and illustrations, A plus elegant and useful maps.... The information.... Tamila Guest House is concise, well-presented and up-to-date.” Yada Datu Ruan Thai in The Nation Sophaphan Lodge ★ Self-drive tours out Wat Phra Kaew of the city Wat Luang ★ On and off the
M beaten handicraft A track E High Street ★ Good food and K
H quiet moments
District Office O at country re- N G sorts and lots, Pla Buk Resort R lots more I N V E R “ xploring Chiang Mai E is not only a visually beautiful guide, it also answers just about every question a visitor could have.” Hat Khrai Sarah Brown in the Bangkok Post
R Contact Budget staff for a special offer to Budget customers 1020 To Thoeng
7 R R CHIANG KHONG SECTION 4 : 225 kms. PHAYAO
1 POINTER ONE CHIANG KHONG to PHAYAO H1020 OdK 38 Leave Chiang Khong on main highway south. Fill petrol tank! 1129
Huai Xai N 2 POINTER TWO ‡™’¬ß¢Õß 2 1 Section 3 CHIANG AR 1174 H1020 KM132 Go straight at T-junction with KHONG To Chiang Saen H1174 (alternative route to Chiang Rai). MAE KHONG RIVER
2 3 POINTER THREE 1020
3 H1020 KM123 Ban Si Don Chai. Turn left (east) at T-junction with H1155. Zero odom-
1174 1020 eter. (Continue straight on H1020 for alter- AR native return route along River Ing valley). ∫â“π»√’¥Õπ™—¬ 3 Ban Sri Don Chai ‡«’¬ß°“π 4 4 POINTER FOUR WIANG KAEN 4 1098 R 1155
E H1155 OdK26 T junction. Take right turn
V I R south signposted Doi Pha Tang & Phu Chi Fa. G 1155 I N
E
A 5 M 5 POINTER FIVE
1020 ∫â“πª“ßÀ—¥ School H1155 OdK42 Ban Pang Hat. 4WD only past 5 Pang Hat 1155 P7! Turn left (east) at T-junction with narrow Alternative 6 AR sealed road. H1155 (pitted sealed surface Route for 7 ∫â“πªÉ“µÕß from OdK38) curves right round school yard. A small non-4 WD Ban Pha Tang Vehicles police box at the junction has ‘information’ in English on 1174 it. Zero odometer. If you do not have 4WD, you may drive 4 WD Only! up sealed road to see spectacular view over the Mekong PHAYA MANGRAI valley in Laos at Doi Pha Tang, but you must return to ¿Ÿ™’ÈøÑ“ this point (round trip 30 kms) and continue straight to Phu Chi Fa Ban Pha Le on H1155 (See pointer 9). 8
9 1020 R 6 POINTER SIX To Chiang Kham OdK10 Road forks. Take lower fork left. (See Doi Pha Section 4 Tang detail map).
BAN PHA TANG 7 POINTER SEVEN OdK14 Follow road round to left at T-junction. Cliffs Villages along this route have been built by the gov- Azalea LAOS ernment for White Hmong who act as volunteer bor der (no sign) defense forces in case of trouble with Laos. 4WD only! OdK41 Left turn (east) steep uphill to Phu Chi Fah look- To Pang Hat out. Very steep and rough 4WD (2 kms) – impassable if
V e wet. Better to walk. 6 ry S tee p a void 8 if wet School 8 POINTER EIGHT
N fo 7 o shop tp OdK43 Take right turn descending to valley a th to rejoin H1155. (Or continue left – east – for longer alternative route – 52 kms – Left turn to Viewpoint Only 4 WD 100 m. after T junction to H1021 via Phu Sang Falls and H1093, beyond this point (V. narrow road) which joins H1021 at KM80.
R
To Chiang Kham 8 R 9 POINTER NINE 9 OdK53 junction with H1155 at KM26, continue DRIVING ON DIRT ROADS 1155 south. If coming south on H1155 in non-4WD vehicle, turn sharp left for easy sealed road to Dirt Roads go all over the mountains, but even Thais Phu Chi Fah lookout over Laos, but you will need to walk can get lost in the maze of crossroads. The tracks are up 4 kms. steep and narrow and very tricky in the rainy season. If you plan an overnight trip on a dirt road trip take the 10 10 POINTER TEN following: torch, candles and matches, warm clothes (especially in winter), water, dry food, insect repellent, 1222 H1155 KM6 Turn left (east) at T-junction with 1155 and a full tank of gas. Drive very slowly to prevent H1222. mechanical problems from stranding you.
11 POINTER ELEVEN
11 1021 H1222 T-junction with H1021 KM94. Follow signs to Phayao (97kms) 14 POINTER FOURTEEN 14 H1021 KM42 T junction with H1091in Chun 1021 1091 12 POINTER TWELVE District town. Turn right for Phayao (45kms) 12
1021 H1021 KM75 Right turn at T junction. H1148 goes to Chiang Kham. 1148 15 POINTER FIFTEEN
KM74 Left turn (east) Thai Leu Cultural Centre. Phayao H1021 controlled intersection with H1 KM732.
1193 15 Turn right (north) for Phayao and left for 13 POINTER THIRTEEN 13 Chiang Mai Lampang and Chiang Mai (via H120). Straight on for Mae Na Rua on H1193. 1021 H1021 KM72 Right turn to Phayao.
ACCOMMODATION ‡«’¬ß™—¬ æ√–¬“¡—ß√“¬ 4 WD Only WIANG CHAI PHAYA MANGRAI • Azalia Garden Resort, Doi Santiburi Golf ¿Ÿ™’ÈøÑ“ & Country Club Phu Chi Fa Pha Tang. Tel: 01 9503948. 8 Advance call necessary to 9 take advantage of price 1020 1020 that includes evening meal and breakfast in 1155 Guest House style accom- 10 modation. 1222 ‡∑‘ß Ban Huat 1020 Phu Sang Water Falls • Phayao Northern Lake THOENG 11 1093 Hotel. Tel:(054) 481538-9 1021
‡™’¬ß§“π 12 ªÉ“·¥¥ CHIANG KHAM K & K Garden PA DAET (11:00-24:00) 13
1148 1021 To Nan 1021
·¡à„® N MAE CHAI ®Ÿπ 14 CHUN
1202 To Chiang Muan 1021
Wat æ–‡¬“
Analayo PHAYAO ¥Õ°§”„µâ R DOK KHAM TAI 15 CHIANG KHONG to PHAYAO 9 R R PHAYAO SECTION 5 : 150 kms. CHIANG MAI
Section 6 1 1202 Section 4 Cabbage & Wang Kaew Falls 1193 1001 PHAYAO - CHIANG MAI 118 Condoms 1021 (10:00-22:00) Champatong Falls 3 1127 æ–‡¬“ MAE «—߇Àπ◊Õ MAE Mae Ngat Dam KHACHAN Wang Nua PHAYAO Wiang Doi TAENG ·¡à¢–®“π DOK KHAM TAI 1323 KM. 64 Mae Khachan 120 Wat Analayo 1095 Hot Spring 1 ¥Õ°§”„µâ Mae Malai 1001 1035 2
1001 1 Trekker's Lodge 107 Mae Kuang Dam Mai Pai Rim Than To Lampang Wang Tarn (10:00-20:00) 743 Resort To Chiang Rai 1096 KM.27 AROUND PHAYAO R MAE 1 RIM 118 N SAN SAI DOI SAKET 741 ¥Õ¬ –‡°Á¥ 4 kms Phra That Chom Thong 4 1014 1202
1269 CHIANG MAI R Wat Khom Kham 1006 735 ‡™’¬ß„À¡à Wat Analayo KWAN PHAYAO LAKE 106 «—¥Õπ“≈‚¬ 1193 PHAYAO æ–‡¬“ N To Chun 1 POINTER ONE 1 Chiang 1193 H1KM732. Turn north for Phayao and route round lake via Kham Wat Analayo (See detail maps) or turn south for direct route Ban Mae Na Klua to Chiang Mai. ∫â“π·¡à𓇰≈◊Õ (local only) Ban San Pa SaK 2 POINTER TWO 2 ∫â“π —πªÉ“ —° 727 2
H1KM727 Right turn (west) at T-junction of Phayao College of 1 120 1 H120 to Chiang Mai (145kms) via Wang Nua Agriculture & Technology To Chang Mai ‡™’¬ß„À¡à To Lampang KM19 Viewpoint KM 47 Wang Nua. Righ turn (north) to Wang Kaew 118 3 POINTER THREE waterfalls (24 kms) 3 H120 KM78 Left turn (south) at T-junction with H118. Chiang Mai 81 kms.
To Chiang Rai KM72 basketware market 1 PHAYAO (bypass) Bua Resort R KM62 Mae Khachan hot springs — another roadside To Chiang Rai (old road) 1 tourist attraction. Restaurant at Wiang Doi Cottage opposite Wat Sri Khom Kham KM63 left turn (east) 4WD only! to Ban Huai Muang and upland valley with Lahu Villages (9kms). Trekkers Phayao Cultural Phayao Northern to Pa Daet Lodge offers rustic accommodation. & Exhibition Hall 1202 Gateway Lake Hotel KM16 right turn (west) to Wang Tarn Resort (6kms) KM16/14. left turn (east) to Wat Doi Saket — unusual Tharn Thong N KHWAN PHAYAO Hotel Wattana Hotel temple murals Phaya Ngam Muang Statue Wat Rachakru 4 POINTER FOUR City Pillar Suan Aharn Wiang Tarn H118 intersects with H11 The Chiang Mai Lampang Super- Sad Saeng Duan Ruan Sarakhan highway. Welcome back to Chiang Mai. Kwan Phayao Em
To Lampang 1 10 R R CHIANG SAEN SECTION 6 : 240 kms. CHIANG MAI
1 POINTER ONE 1 ‡™’¬ß· π Doi Tung CHIANG 1016 Start at T-junction of H1129 with 110 SAEN 1016 19 1129 H1016 to Mae Chan on direct return MAE FAH LUANG route to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai ·¡àøÑ“À≈«ß R E V I R
K 1130 1016 O K 1 2 POINTER TWO E A 1098 M 2 2 1271 Go straight at junction with H1 to MAE CHAN ·¡à®—π Chiang Rai at KM858 3
1098 Waterford Valley 3 POINTER THREE 3 1089 110 1173 H1KM856 Go straight at junction with 1089 to Thaton & Fang (alternative ‡™’¬ß√“¬ return route - see sections 2 & 1) CHIANG RAI ‡«’¬ß®—π 1174 11 WIANG CHAI 4 æ√–¬“¡—ß√“¬ KM838 right turn to Phong Phabat Falls (8kms). Khun Korn 1211 PHAYA MANGRAI KM835 left turn to Chiang Rai airport Falls 1208 Santiburi Golf KM831 bridge over Nam Khong river - see & Country Club
Chiang Rai detail map 1020 Karen 1020
Guest House 118 5 4 POINTER FOUR To Fang 4 109 ·¡à √«¬ Charin Garden Resort THOENG KM830 intersection near the Mangrai MAE SUAI (06:00-20:00) 1020 12 ‡∑‘ß 1 monument (east side). For fast return go straight on H1south until KM807 æ“π and take right turn to Mae Suai on H118. PHAN Suanthip ªÉ“·¥¥ Vana Resort PA DAET For return via H1211 turn right at the sign for KM.107 the City Hall. Keep straight on this road and in 1 1021 this direction of travel. You will cross intersections ‡«’¬ßªÉ“‡ªÑ“ 1202 WIANG PA PAO and pass the market and a large fat Sankhachai Buddha by Wat Mun Muang, eventually joining 118 ·¡à„® another road. Go straight at the sign (left Chiang MAE CHAI CHUN Rai Hospital & right Chiang Rai Beach). You are ®Ÿπ now on H1211. (See Chiang Rai detail map). 1150 1091 Wang Kaew Falls H1211 KM14-15 H1208 right turn for Khun Cabbages & 1021 Candoms Champatong Falls Korn Falls (12 kms) 118118 (10:00-22:00) Wat æ–‡¬“ MAE ·¡à¢–®“π Analayo PHAYAO ¥Õ°§”„µâ ·¡à·µß KHACHAN DOK KHAM TAI MAE Mae Ngat Dam TAENG Wiang Doi 1323 Wang Nua 120 1095 N Pong Nam Ron Mae Malai 1001
1251 1001 Trekker's Lodge 107 Mae Kuang Dam Mai Pai Rim Than 1 Wang Tarn (10:00-20:00) Resort 1096 MAE KM.27 118 RIM —π∑√“¬ 1035 ·¡à√‘¡ SAN SAI DOI
SAKET R ¥Õ¬ –‡°Á¥ 1014 6 1269 CHIANG MAI 1006 To Lampang PHAYAO - CHIANG MAI 106 To Chae Hom
11 R To Mae Chan & Mae Sai 110 5 POINTER FIVE CHIANG RAI 5 Boat Landing Right turn to Mae Suai at T-junction of I 831 O K R V E 118 E K R M A 1 H1211KM30 with H118 at KM4
1207 KM19 Charin Garden Resort - fresh coffee and bakes 2 3 KM107 Suan Thip Vana Resort - west side Wat Phrathat 110 KM78 H120 from Phayao (section 5 joins route) Doi Chom Thong & City Navel TAT Salung Kham KM72 basketware market Office Wat Restaurant Wat Doi Ngam Muang Klang KM62 Mae Khachan hot springs — another roadside Wiang Wat Phra Kaew tourist attraction. Restaurant at Wiang Doi Cottage op- Wat Mun Muang To Wiang 4 4 Chai posite 5 To Pong Clock tower 1232 R KM63 left turn (east) to Ban Huai Muang and up- Nam Ron 9 6 Hot Springs 7 land valley with Lahu Villages (9kms) 4WD only! Rus- Bus station and night market tic accommodation at Trekker’s Lodge Oub Kham Wat Chet Yot 8 KM16 right turn (west) to Wang Tarn Resort (6kms) Museum — restaurant and accommodation Hospital 1211 KM16/14. left turn (east) to Wat Doi Saket — un-
1233 usual temple murals To Khun Korn Falls To Wiang Chai & H118 Chiang Mai (& Waterford via Mae Suai Valley Golf) 6 POINTER SIX N 1 Rim Kok Resort Hotel H118 intersects with H11– Chiang Mai Lampang Super- 2 Dusit Island Resort highway. Welcome back to Chiang Mai. 3 Gratom Rim Kok 10 4 Chiang Rai Inn Hotel 5 Ban Khun Yom Hotel 6 Saen Phu Hotel R ACCOMMODATION 7 Wang Come Hotel 8 Wiang Inn Hotel • Dusit Island Resort, Chiang Rai. Tel: (053) 744188, 9 Golden Triangle Inn - Budget Office 715777 Fax: 715801 10 Inn Come Hotel CHIANG RAI OFFICE 11 Little Duck Hotel • Golden Triangle Inn (Budget Chiang Rai Office: 11 (053) 740442-3 Tel: 740442-3) Tel: (053) 711339, 716996 Fax: 713963
To Phayao To Chiang Kham • Rimkok Resort Hotel, Chiang Rai. Tel: (053) 716445-60 & Lampang & H118 1 1020 (& Santiburi Golf & Country Club) Fax: 715859 • Wiang Inn Hotel, Chiang Rai. Tel: (053) 711533 Fax: 711877 To Chiang Saen MAE CHAN • Wiang Come Hotel, Tel: (053) 711841-8 Fax: 712973 1
1016 • Charin Garden Resort (H118 KM19) Tel: (053) 717272 • Suanthip Vana Resort (H118 KM107) Tel: 01 224 6985
2
For reservations, À¬ÿ¥ please contact your travel consultant or call Budget: STOP NO PASSING ·¡à®—π In the U.K.: MAE CHAN À¬ÿ¥ 01800-181-181 In the U.S.: To Thaton µ√«® (800) 527-0700 In Germany: STOP (POLICE) SLIPPERY ROAD 89 666-950 In Australia: 13-28-48 856 In Singapore: 3 532-4442 1098 N In Thailand: To Thaton Fang 02 203-0250 STEEP HILL FALLING ROCKS 1 0 500 m
R To Chiang Rai 12 R Budget WorldClass Drives CHIANG MAI - MAE HONG SON LOOP
Highlights of the Drive 109 he Mae Hong Son Loop is a classic drive that crosses and recrosses the T MAE SUAI 107 spectacular watershed between the 1226 1178 1322 118 PANG MAPHA 1322 River Ping and the Salween in Burma- 1285 1095 Myanmar. 1150 PHRAO PAI CHIANG DAO 2 WIANG PA PAO Starting in Chiang Mai, the cultural 3 107 and historical capital of Northern Thai- MAE HONG SON 1001 WANG NUA land, a high route crosses to the small 1095 MAE TAENG 108 120 town of Pai, a very popular starting 1265 point for trekking into the hills to see the Lahu, Hmong, Lisu and Karen hill MAE RIM 1001 1096 118 1252 tribes common to this region. 107 1263 SAMOENG KHUN YUAM 1269 1 CHIANG MAI West of Pai the route goes through a rugged, mountainous territory with 108 CHAE HOM SANPATONG 1157 1013 1147 sunken valleys hemmed by cliffs pen- 1088 etrated by deep caves — an area that 1192 1009 LAMPHUN 1035 offers many opportunities for adven- MAE CHAEM 1033 11 ture sports amidst a landscape of out- 1266 108 standing natural beauty. Rejoining the 1270 LAMPANG 1184 1034 Pai River Valley near the provincial BAN HONG 11 capital Mae Hong Son, the highway 4 HOT MAE SARIANG 106 KO KHA provides the main link to this cultur- 1012 5 1103 1274 1 ally distinct enclave with its Shan and 105 SOEM NGAM Karen peoples. DOI TAO 1023 WANG CHIN Three return routes offer choices 106 1 that can take you on scenic routes OM KOI LI 1125 directly back to Chiang Mai, or can take 1087 you as far as south as Phitsanulok via 106 1099 5 THOEN Sukhothai. Choose your route and then 1102 1294 enjoy your drive through some of the 1267 most spectacular territory in the Kingdom. 105 THUNG SALIAM
1
THA SONG YANG 1113 ROADS IN THAILAND SAM NGAO
All main and most minor roads are sealed. Signs and reflective 1175 1175 markers warn of hazards on major highways, and sodium lighting MAE RAMAT illuminates major intersections. Bilingual (English/Thai) road signs 1107 indicate destinations, highway numbers and distances before and TAK 12 after intersections. 5 105
Oliver Hargreave Kilometre stones show highway number and distance along 1108 1132 the road on the front face, and distances to destinations in the MAE SOT WANG CHAO direction of travel on the side. The police and military set up road 1110 101 check-points on highways, especially at night, but there are no 1109 security problems. KAMPHAENG PHET 115 Please remember to drive on the left! 1116
1206 Emergency Assistance 1-800-BUDGET, Chiang Mai Office (0) 5320 2871, 1090 (0) 1980 8723, Phitsanulok Office, (0) 5525 8556, (0)N 1820 8644 1 10kms 1117
Online Bookings: R KHLONG LAN Our fastest way to rent a car www.budget.co.th UMPHANG
www.budget.co.th 1 CHIANG MAI SECTION 1 : 128 kms. PAI
hile it is best to see the CHIANG MAI to PAI W sights of inner Chiang Mai on foot, or to hire a pedicab, 5 2175 your car becomes most useful N Õ.ª“¬ ∫.·¡à‡¬Áπ CHIANG DAO Mae Yen 1962 to see the sights around Chiang PAI Huai Nam Dang National Park Õ.‡™’¬ß¥“« 10kms liver Hargreave
Pong Mai∫.‚ªÉß„À¡à O Mai. These include Wat Phrathat Tha Phai Hot Spring Tha Pai Doi Suthep, a must for all who ∫.∑à“ª“¬ 107 visit Chiang Mai, and the Mae M a e T a e n g ∫.‡¡◊Õß·√à 4 Sa Valley, a scenic valley with Muang Rae ∫. ∫°“¬ Pong Duet Hot Spring Sop Kai Pai ∫. ∫ “ 2005 Mae Sae so many attractions that the area ∫.·¡àµ–¡“π Sop Sa Lisu Mae Sae (walk 30min. up from Pang Luang Mae Taman merits at least a full-day if not a Wildlife Sanctuary HQ) Sri Lanna National Park night at one of the numerous
1095 country resorts (see sidebar and Mae Ngat Dam city map section 4). ∫.ªÉ“·ªÉ MAE TAENG 1265 Pa Pae Õ.·¡à·µß 7 Once you are heading north 6 ∫.·¡à¡“≈—¬ 3 ∫.«—¥®—π∑å Mok Fa Mae Malai on the route proper, take the Wat Chan 1805 ∫.·¡à·®à¡πâÕ¬ Wat Tha Kham alternative route from KM18 Golf Mae Chaem Noi 1422 Chiang Mai Green Valley Country Club San Pa Yang north of Mae Rim through the ∫.¥Õ° “¡À¡◊Ëπ Tel: (0) 5329 8220-23 Fax: (0) 5329 7386 ∫. —πªÉ“¬“ß Dong Sam Meun Lanna Golf Course Tel: (0) 5322 1911 Royal Chiang Mai countryside following the River Fax: (0) 5322 1743 Ping Hao for a leisurely route which Royal Chiang Mai Golf Club. (Hotel $$$) (alternative route) Tel: (0) 5384 9301-6 Fax: (0) 5384 9310. joins H1095 to Pai near KM10 Mae Daet Not
2 www.budget.co.th ALTERNATIVE ROUTE TO PAI VIA WAT CHAN (4WD!) ALTERNATIVE ROUTE ALONG THE HAO VALLEY If taking this route from Chiang Mai, start very early (23KMS) and avoid delaying in the Mae Sa Valley in order to reach North of Pointer 2 you will cross a bridge (KM18) Pai by nightfall. Avoid this route in the rainy season as and then enter a bend to the left. Turn left through an muddy sections, particularly around KM71 can make this arch at the sign to Thai Buffalo Training Camp. The “all-weather” road difficult. camp is on the left after 1km (show times: 08:00/09:00/ 15:00/16:00 Adults 150bht. Tel: 0 5330 1628). Follow From Samoeng the route follows a cobbled lane north (do not go left at intersection after 1.5kms.) this rural to Ban Mae Sap Nua (5 kms.) and is sealed to near Ban route, which at times is reduced to a narrow concrete Mae Yang Ha (30 kms.). The road continues on a winding lane. Rural temples of note are at Wat San Pa Yang highland route passing Hmong villages (Ban Mae Chae (KM17) and Wat Tha Kham (by the Bo Tree at KM22). -40 kms., Ban Mae Tala -54 kms., and Ban Don Sam Meun The route eventually joins H1095 between KM10&11, -75kms.) Ban Mae Chaem Noi (84 kms.) is a large Karen where-upon you turn left (west) to continue to Pai village in the middle of pine country. (this route misses pointer 3). From Wat Chan, which is in the middle of an area famous for its pine forests, H1265 is an all-weather dirt road that joins H1095 at KM.85. Cross the River Pai approx ACCOMMODATION 33 kms. from Wat Chan for a slightly shorter route to Pai on the Pai-Muang Paeng road. • Hut Ing Pai $$, H1095 KM102-3 south turn 300m. Tel: (0) 5369 9781-2. Bkk Res: (0) 2702 7208.
Trekking & Rafting Agencies 4 Police Checkpoint POINTER FOUR A Back Trax, Rungsiyanon Rd. Tel: (0) 5369 9739 B Permchai’s Trekking, Ratsadondamrong Rd. Tel: (0) 5369 8048 H1095 KM85. Start of H1265 to C Thai Adventure Rafting, Rungsiyanon Rd. Tel: (0) 5369 9111 1265 to Mae D Northern Green Tours, Chaisongkhram Rd, Tel: (0) 5369 9385 Malai Wat Chan E Elephant Camp Office Ban Thung Yao Wat Chan (alternative route to Chiang Mai) 4WD! 92 1095 Michel & Yuthit GH Be Bop Bar 3 Elephant Camp Rim Pai Cottage KM87-88 north turn on concrete road to Thaphai Ban Phong Mai Tha Pai Springs 5 D H 4 Hot Springs (2kms. Though part of Huai Nam Dang 3 A Jazz Up Cafe Pai Canyon National Park, there is no charge at present) as well E 2 as two resorts with open-air hot mineral baths. Pai Corner Bar B To Muang Paeng Mountain Blue C (26 kms.) 1 View Pai Hotel M Police H Guest Houses
Oliver Hargreave 1 PP Orchid. Tel: (0) 5369 9159 2 River Corner Guest House Tel: (0) 5369 9149 (06:00-21:30) 3 The Golden Hut Tel: (0) 5369 9949 to Chiang Mai 500
www.budget.co.th 3 PAI SECTION 2 : 109 kms. MAE HONG SON
PAI to MAE HONG SON M Y A N M A R Up-Market N 1610 1 Fern Resort $$-$$$ H108 KM260 east turn 2kms. Off Tel: (0) 5361 1374, (0) 5361 1877 Mid-Range Fax: (0) 5361 2363. Resort Tel: (0) 5361 3585 10kms 3 Mae Hong Son Resort $$ H1250 KM2-3 2 Golden Pai Resort $$$ H1095 KM202 west turn Tel: (0) 5361 3138-9 Fax: (0) 5361 3137 500m, Ban Pang Mu. Tel.&Fax: (0) 5361 2265-6. 4 Mae Hong Son Riverside Hotel $$$, Ban Huai Dua. CM Off: (0) 5327 1198 Fax: (0) 5327 9260 Tel: (0) 5361 1504, (0) 5361 3145 Fax: (0) 5361 3146. 1318 ∫.ª“ߧ“¡
1843 ∫.·¡à≈–π“ Mae La Na 8 1226 ∫.∂Ë”≈Õ¥ Õ.‡«’¬ß·Àß 1936 9 Ban Tham Lot 10 WIANG HAENG Lot Cave Mae Aw ∫.À⫬º÷Èß Wat Tham Wua (Meditation) Huai Phung Õ.ª“ß¡–ºâ“ PANG MAPHA ∫.π“ªÉ“·Ω° ∫.·¡à ÿ¬– ∫.‡¡◊ÕßÀπâÕ¬ Na Pa Faek Mae Suya Sop Pong Muang Noi M Y A N M A R 1285 ∫. ∫ªÕß Pha Sua Falls Tham Pla Pha Sua National Park
11 Ban Na ∫.À¡Õ°®”·ªÉ 1095 Mok Cham Pae Pang Paek ∫.µ“≈‡®Á¥µâπ ∫.„π´Õ¬ Tham Pla ∫.ªÉ“·ªÜ Tan Chet Ton Ban Nai Soi
ª“ßÀ¡Ÿ 1955 5 Pang Mu Õ.ª“¬ ∫.·¡à‡¬Áπ 2 Mae Surin National Park HQ PAI Mae Yen Rustic ∫.‚ªÉß„À¡à 1962 6 8 Cave Lodge $-$$ H1095 KM141 north turn 7kms. Pong Mai E-mail
liver Hargreave
108 O
to Mae he route to Mae Hong Son goes via Soppong, passing Hong Son 5 POINTER FIVE through beautiful scenery as it traverses the valley of T to Ban Nam Hu KM98 the departure point of H1095 west the River Khong. Side trips offer possibilities for exploration to Rungsiyanon Rd. from Pai in the sheer limestone scenery of the area. Nong Bia 1095 After descending from the mountains, Highway 1095 akirts the floor of the valley used for rice cultivation as it KM99. A left turn at the sign for Sipsongpanna guest approaches the provincial capital, Mae Hong Son. house is the start of a route that goes to Muang Noi and the Pai Dam (32kms). The dam itself is of no interest, but Known as the City of Mists, Mae Hong Son’s recent the dirt road (4WD) passes Lisu and Karen villages en route. modernisation has cost many of its old wooden buildings, but the area around the Chong Kham Lake retains its old KM101-2 A concrete lane leads to a Northern Thai charm. The town’s Shan heritage becomes especially village and the Muang Pai and Pai Mountain Lodge resorts. pronounced during their main festivals, the Poi Sang Lon A very rough (4WD!) 2km dirt road continues to a Lahu festival in March or May, and the Hae Chong Phara festival village and the minor Mo Paeng Falls. in the eleventh lunar month. KM141 A concrete road leads north Ban Tham Lot, where you turn right at the junction by the tree and go one kilometre to Tham Lot Cave. Villagers await with lanterns (100bht) and rafts (100bht) to escort you through the cave 4 www.budget.co.th TALAT BAN SOPPONG (PHANG MAPHA) (08:00-17:30). Cave Lodge nearby has comfortable rooms N and offers canoe trips, expert speleology and information To Ban Tham & Cave Lodge (7 kms), Tham Lot (8 kms.) on adventures into the area. (old Soppong) KM152 Sealed road to Mae La Na (4WD). The asphalt km141 T-Rex House $ Tel: (0) 5361 7164 and dirt road passes the Lahu village of Chabo (3.5kms) Fax: (0) 5361 7053 before dropping down to the Shan village of Mae La Na H Phrae House Restaurant (5.5kms). From there a dirt road continues north (4WD 12:00-22:00 only), passing the Red Lahu villages of Ban Pha Charoen Soppong River Inn.$ Lemon Hill Guest House $ Tel: (0) 5361 7107 06:30-19:00 H (8kms) and Yapanae (11.5). to Phang Mapha H district office M Market A sign at the junction north of Chabo indicates dis- Police tances to distant villages on a sealed road (sealed 4kms,
Wat Ming Muan H 4WD only beyond!) that follows a spectacular ridge line Jungle Guest House $ north towards the border with Myanmar. Allow a full day
Oliver Hargreave for exploration. KM166 dirt road to Wilderness Lodge (4WD to Bang Pang Mu MAE HONG SON Pai 1.5kms-park at top of entrance track to lodge). N Remote, rustic ($) accommodation for nature lovers only. Walk and explore. 1095
liver Hargreave O KM191-2 Tham Pla (Fish Cave). Part of
207 the Tham Pla Nam Tok Pha Sua National Park (HQ is 9kms north on H1285), Tham Pla is a pleasant roadside halt (no charge at present). At KM92 a concrete lane to the right goes 2.2
Khunlumphraphat Rd. kms. Turn left at its conclusion in a T junction and right at the second T junction. Note the Ban Na Restaurant nearby en route to Pha Sua Falls (partly spoiled by a hydro-electric project). The asphalt road continues for 24 kms up to the Hmong village of Ban Na Pa Paek, offering some great views. Turn right for a dirt road to Mae Aw, a high plateau area for growing 8 Wat Hua Wiang 4 tea—6kms. Airport
Wat Phrathat 7 S By turning left at the second T junction Doi Kong Mu Rose Garden Tour Tourist Police 2 you can go to Mae Hong Son, rejoining H1095 Wat Huai To 6 3 at Km199. One kilometre before this junction Wat Phra Non an asphalt road south goes 18kms to Ban Nai 5 Wat Chong Klang Soi, from where you follow a dirt road (4WD - 1 2kms) to reach a Padaung refugee village (See Padaung Sidebar) 3 9 Up-market TN Tour 1 Imperial Tara Mae Hong Son $$$$ H108 KM194, 5 Tel: (0) 5361 1021-25 Fax: (0) 5361 1252 Bkk Res: (0) 2261 900 ext IR.
1 S Kat Kam Plaza (department store) Guest House to Mae Sariang www.budget.co.th 5 MAE HONG SON SECTION 3 : 164 kms. MAE SARIANG
outh of Mae Hong Son the road follows narrow valleys, MAE HONG SON to MAE SARIANG 6 climbing over low passes while following a route that 1068 S Huai Sua Thao MAE HONG SON runs along the foot of the high range to the east, a pattern ·¡àŒàÕß Õπ Nam Phiang Din Oliver Hargreave that continues south of Khun Yuam, where the road often ∫.πÈ”‡æ’¬ß¥‘π ∫.∑à“∫âÕß 1752 takes a tortuous route following narrow valleys. Tha Bong
For accommodation in this section see Section 2 Map The best side trips offer possibilities to climb high into for locations near Mae Hong Son and town maps for the hills to the east of the highway, while routes west from Khun Yuam and Mae Sariang. 108 Mae Sariang offer the best opportunity to see the River Salween (see sidebar). The first and most scenic of three Meo Microwave ∫.°≈“ß possible return routes to Chiang Mai begins in Khun Yuam, Ban Klang M Y A N M A R but may only be used by vehicles with 4WD (see section 4) ∫.À⫬‚ªÉß Huai Pong Mae Sariang is a district town that has been bypassed by the highway and by extensive modern development. The 938 narrow street and wooden buildings along the river bank have helped preserve some of the charm of an old river ∫. –‡ª ∫.·¡à ÿ√‘π route trading town. Ban Sape Mae Surin Mae Surin Falls From Mae Sariang, you may take Highway 108 east back Bua Thong (sunflower)fields over the mountains for a straightforward return to Chiang 7 Mai (section 4), or you may continue south along an equally ∫.µàÕ·æ Õ.¢ÿπ¬«¡ 1263 Ban To Phae KHUN YUAM ∫.ª“ßÕÿß scenic route following the Moei River. 24 Hrs Ban Pang Ung The Padaung — the Long Neck Karen 1056 ∫.‡¡◊ÕߪÕπ The Padaung are famous for their “long neck” women. N Ban Muang Pon The women do not have long necks as such, but have shoulders forced down by coils worn since they were 10kms 108 young. They may be seen in three villages; in a refugee 1818 ∫.ÀπÕß·Àâß camp in Ban Nai Soi (west from H1095 at KM199 — see Ban Nong Haeng end section 2), in Ban Huai Sua Tao and , perhaps most 1326 preferably, by boat from Ban Huai Dua (see H1250 from 1561 pointer 6). Foreigners must pay 250bht/head at any of the sites. Thais are free
Ban Mae La Luang to Mae Hong Son ∫.·¡à≈“À≈«ß 6 POINTER SIX H108 KM194 The junction of H1250 to km 104 1250 H Ban Huai Dua (see sidebar). to Huai Tara Sua Thao 108 to Huai Dua to Khum Yuam Õ.·¡à≈“πâÕ¬ 07:00-21:00 MAE LA NOI H1250 from Pointer 6 ∫.‚æ´Õ 1266 Pho So Ban La Up H1250 forks after 1km. The right fork first crosses the 1020 ∫.º“ªÿÑ¡ 1225 ∫.·¡à≈–Õÿ∫ River Pai and then bears left on a concrete lane. Signs for Y u a m Pha Pum Huai Sua Tao “long-necks” direct you to the Padaung vil- lage (currently 5 kms and 12 fords from the cement lane—a ∫.·¡àµÕ∫ Mae Top cement extension is under construction). Total distance 10 kms from H108 4WD! ∫. ∫À“π Sop Han The fork left (south) goes to Ban Huai Dua (4kms) 8 24 Hrs 1430 passing two riverside resorts en route. Charter a boat MAE SARIANG Mae Ho
S a l w e e n (500bht. for 2 hrs.) from Huai Dua for the two hour trip to Salween National Park HQ Õ.·¡à –‡√’¬ß ∫.·¡à‡À“–
1194 a Padaung village on the banks of the Pai River as well as ∫.∑“µ“Ωíòß 105 to Ban Phiang Din, a village downstream. Tha Ta Fang KM235. 100m past this marker a narrow, asphalt lane climbs steeply for 10 kms to a Hmong Village (Meo Micro- wave) and a microwave station at 1470m. Superb views, 6 www.budget.co.th especially if you walk north from the station. Allow 2 hours. to Mae Hong Son H 1263 to Mae Chaem (4WD!) village of Ban La-Ang Nua (41kms). 500m beyond Ban KHUN YUAM 108 To Mae Surin Falls N La-ang Nua you will come to a gravelled road heading 7 south to Ban Santitham (71kms — drum fuel), eventually 201 becoming H1270 to Ban Kong Loi (108kms).
ACCOMMODATION Ban Farang Guest House $ Khun Yuam • Mitr A Ree Guest House $$$ , Mae Sariang, Tel: (0) 5368 Tel: & Fax: (0) 5362 2085-6, H (0) 5361 1577 200 1109 Fax: (0) 5368 1280
Museum
Wat Huai To To the River Salween The simplest route is by H1194 from Mae Sariang to Mae Sam Laep (45kms) from where approx. 2 hour boat trips can be made south to the confluence of the Moei and to Pratu Muang Salween (650 bht.), or north to Tha Ta Fang (750 bht.). (4 kms) Nong Anne Until a bridge is built, to reach Mae Sam Laep itself you SHOPS Mitr Khun Yuam Hotel $$, Khun Yuam. must exit the sealed road after KM45 onto a track down to Tel: (0) 5369 1057, (0) 5362 2181 Wat To Phae H the river bed, double back, ford the river and enter the disused (airstrip) 199 lane on the opposite side of valley. H SHOPS Sumitra Hotel You can also stay a night at the National Park site over- looking the Salween near Tha Ta Fang (36kms by dirt road — 4WD!). Visit the Salween National Park HQ (08:30- 108 16:30) the day before to prearrange a park guide and buy Khrua Pik Mai your food in Mae Sariang before leaving. To reach the 07:00-23:00 Park HQ, go on H1194 to KM1 + 500m and then head straight west onto the cement lane at the corner. Turn left
24 at ornamental sign 400m after cement surface ends and drive 2kms to park HQ (4WD!)
Oliver Hargreave to Mae La Na
KM229 To fellow warriors, wish your souls to Mae Hong Son MAE SARIANG be blissfully in heaven. Roadside shrine to N Japanese victims of World War Two buried near this spot. 108
7 POINTER SEVEN Royal Foundation for H108 KM201. Intersection Wat Chai Lop Handicrafts 108 with H1263 to Mae Surin Rungthara to Surin Falls Mae Chaem 1263 Falls (37kms), Bua Thong km104 km201 Fields (26kms) & Mae 06:00-20:00
. Chaem (96kms) (See section d to Khun Yuam R
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i
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4 — all routes 4WD!) a bus station
h P Post Office
g n
e Fresh Market a M KM200-199 Khun Yuam Museum (08:30- L 16:30 daily. donation) houses Japanese war memorabilia including many photos. Khun to Mae Sam Laep Yuam high street begins south of the museum. 2 8 (section 4) (46 kms), 103 Salween National @ Take the concrete road bearing south-west ai Rd. Park iangm to Chiang Mai H Mitr A Ree Hotel W 1 H around a former landing strip south of the 1194 Lotus Hotel Renu 09:00-23:00 Museum to see Wat To Phae (4kms) — a Shan M temple known for its tapestry kept in a parti- Inthra 08:00-23:00 Wang Noi Guest House tioned room to the left of the entrance in the main vihara. H Kamolsorn Hotel Wat Suphan Rangsri Oliver Hargreave KM132 H1266 is a dirt road (4WD!) that goes to Ban La Up (25kms), a Christian Lawa 105 village known for its cloth weaving. For a 3 Mid-Range circular route to Ban Kong Loi on H108 at KM56 1 Mitr A Ree Guest House $$$ Tel: (0) 5368 1109 Fax: (0) 5368 1280 (do not attempt during rainy season — see Rustic section 4), continue to Ban Du La Poe (31kms) 2 Riverside Guest House & Northwest Guest House $ (& FAZ travel) and take the road up the ridge. At approx KM36 3 See View Guest House $, Mae Sariang Tel: (0) 5368 1556 take the right fork (lower road) to the Lawa (section 5) to Mae Sot (230 kms) www.budget.co.th 7 MAE SARIANG SECTION 4 : 190 kms. CHIANG MAI
MAE SARIANG to CHIANG MAI 107 Õ. —π∑√“¬ Õ. –‡¡‘ß 1685 1263 ∫.∫—«·°â« SAMOENG 7 Õ.¢ÿπ¬«¡ Bo Kaeo Doi Suthep-Pui SAN SAI ∫.·¡à “ National Park ∫.µàÕ·æ KHUN YUAM Pang Kia Mae Sa CHIANG MAI 1269 To Phae Ban Pang Ung Wat Phrathat 11 1056 ∫.ª“ßÕÿß Doi Suthep N ∫.‡¡◊ÕߪÕπ 13 Muang Pon ∫.À⫬∫ß 1550 Õ. “√¿’ Huai Bong ∫.À⫬µÕß 12 10kms Huai Tong Õ.À“ß¥ß SARAPHI 108 ∫.·¡àπ“®√ HANG DONG ∫.ÀπÕß·Àâß Mae Na Chon Ban Nong Haeng 1816 Sop Wak Õ. —πªÉ“µÕß 106 1326 1013 SANPATONG 1088 2590 1561 108 Doi Inthanon National Park ≈”æŸπ Mae Pan Falls Vachiratan Falls LAMPHUN Mae La Luang Õ.·¡à·®à¡ 1009 Õ.ªÉ“´“ß ∫.·¡à≈“À≈«ß MAE CHAEM 1192 PA SANG 1505 5 Mae Klang Falls 4 11 P i n g 1033 Õ.®Õ¡∑Õß Wat Phrathat CHOM THONG Wat Phraphuttabat Chom Thong Tak Pha Õ.·¡à≈“πâÕ¬ 07:00-21:00 La Ang Mae Yai Falls 2 MAE LA NOI 108 ∫.‚æ´Õ 1266 1750 Pho So Ban La Up ∫.ÀπÕßÕ“∫™â“ß 1020 ∫. —𵑠Nong Ap Chang ∫.º“ªÿÑ¡ 1225∫.·¡à≈–Õÿ∫ Fuel Ban Santi Õ.∫â“π‚Œàß Pha Pum 1270 BAN HONG 1184 ∫.·¡àµÕ∫ Om Khut Ob Luang National Park Mae Top Mae Aep Pong Lo 9 3 Lao Lee National Park HQ 1 ∫. ∫À“π 10 argreave Sop Han 8 ∫.·¡àµÕ∫ Õ.ŒÕ¥ HOT Wang Luang Falls
liver H ∫.·¡à‡À“– Kong Loi Bo Luang O Õ.·¡à –‡√’¬ß Mae Ho 1462 Salween National Park HQ MAE SARIANG 1012 106 1 Hod Resort $$ H108 KM4. Tel&Fax: (0) 5346 1070 Wat Bang Pang 1194 1103 Mai Takhian ∫.∑“µ“Ωíòß 105 2 Inthanon Riverside Resort $$$, (6kms east from Tha Ta Fang lights in Chom Thong), Lamphum. ∫.«—ßÀ≈«ß Ban Wang Lung S a l w e e n Tel: (0) 5323 3781-3 Fax: (0) 5325 1751 ∫.·¡àªÕ° 3 Krairas Resort $$ H108 KM17. Tel: (0) 5322 9285 Mae Pok ∫.·¡à “¡·≈∫ CM Off: (0) 5338 4542-3 Mae Sam Laep 4 Little Home Guest House $ H1009 KM7 Õ.¥Õ¬‡µà“ THUNG HUA CHANG Tel: (0) 1224 3446 Raft restaurants DOI TAO Õ.∑ÿàßÀ—«™â“ß 5 Navasoung Resort $$ H1192 KM19 1099 Õ. ∫‡¡¬ Tel: & Fax: (0) 5382 8477 SOP MOEI 6 Om Koi Guest Houe $$ H1099 KM50 7 Ban Nam Ngao Guest House $. H105 KM191 106 1214 Tel: (0) 5368 1188, (0) 5368 1956 Fax: (0) 5368 1353 7 E-mail
108 climbs to the Karen village of Ban Mae Ho at KM84, KM55-6 H1270 to the Mae Tho National Park (16kms) H crossing high valleys and cleared uplands that form and the Lawa village of Ban La Ang Nua (67kms) links up the upper headwaters of the Mae Rit River. After crossing with H1266 to Ban La Up (see section 3 KM128). the BoLuang Plateau, the route descends to follow a pretty valley route following the Mae Chaem River to Hot. KM39 South turn for Om Koi (50kms) and Mae Tun (138kms). Because there is only one way into these pine From Hot, H108 is a busy road heading north for Chiang forested uplands inhabited mainly by Karen, tourism has Mai, passing Chom Thong and Sanpatong, major district bypassed this area. Khun Ruj of Om Koi Resort, $ (turn towns en route. Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak, and right at cross-roads in Om Koi and drive 1km. Tel: (0) 1950 the National Park (see sidebar) may be visited by making a 7789) offers expert guidance to the local Karen hill tribe detour on highways 1088, 1009, or as part of the direct route culture. from Khun Yuam (see Khun Yuam to Chom Thong sidebar)
to Mae Chaem 9 to Khun Yuam 8 POINTER EIGHT POINTER NINE 1088 to Hot 108 H108 KM103 junction with H105 to Sop km22 H108 KM22 H1088 to Mae Chaem to to Chiang Mai (45kms). Take this route to approach Doi Mae Moei and South (see section 5 for routes to Mae Sariang Sariang 105 south and west from Mae Sariang) Inthanon National Park from the west, to Mae Sot and check out possibilities for “Ecotourist activities at the Reforestation Office at KM16. 8 www.budget.co.th KHUN YUAM TO CHOM THONG VIA DOI INTHANON. After 66kms the sealed road ends at a T junction, where 156kms 4WD only! you turn south (right) on the metalled dirt surface of what From Pointer 7, H1263 is a sealed road which goes 66kms purports to be Highway 1088 at approx. KM78. over a route that offers fine vistas over the mountainous The route descends on the rough, dusty dirt road for territory in this area. 5kms to Ban Mae Na Chon before reaching a pitted sealed surface approaching the village (KM72). Turn right (south) KM12-13. Turn north (left) on the road (asphalt 3kms at T junction in the village and go straight south to Mae only—4WD) for the steep climb to the Hmong village of Chaem on the mostly sealed road (very rough dirt road Ban U-Kho and the Bua Thong fields (the sunflowers bloom KM65-62!) mid Nov. to early Dec.— 6kms). You can enjoy fine views west on the route to the Mae Surin National Park at the Turn east (left) in Mae Chaem (KM46) and follow H1088 Falls (28kms). till KM45-44, where you take H1192 uphill to Doi Inthanon. Take care on the narrow and steep road as it climbs up H1263 climbs to KM20 (kilometre stones stop at this 20kms to a checkpoint (National Park Fee 200bht/adult) point), offering good views west near the top of the pass. and H1009 to Chom Thong at KM37-38. The Hmong Villages of Ban Pang Oung (KM23) and Bang Pang Kia (KM28 - fuel available) and the Karen village of Resorts in Chom Thong, Hot and Mae Chaem offer a Ban Huai Bong (KM19 from junction with H1088) lie along possible base for a night’s rest before a day’s exploration of the route. Mae Chaem and Doi Inthanon National Park (See Doi Inthanon sidebar)
KM17 Ob Luang Gorge National Park. Short walks con- to Chiang Mai 12 POINTER TWELVE nected by footbridges span the Mae Chaem River as it passes H108 KM10-11 junction with H1269 to through a narrow gorge. 1269 to Samoeng Samoeng. 108 10 POINTER TEN to Hot 108 Hot Clock tower to Mae H108 KM88/0 junction with H1012 for Sariag to 1103 Doi H1103 to Doi Tao 1012 Tao to Suan Dok to City 13 POINTER THIRTEEN
R to H11 H108 KM4-5 junction with Om KM59-60 Wat Phrathat Chom Thong temple Muang Rd. Welcome to Chiang Mai. to Airport to Hang Dong to Chiang Mai Airport Plaza 11 POINTER ELEVEN 108 to Doi Inthanon 1009 H108 KM57 junction with H1009 to Doi Inthanon and Mae Chaem (alternative
to Chom Thong route form Khun Yuam). to Mae Rim (section 1) 107 1. Wat Chiang Man CHIANG MAI 1 2. Wat Chedi Luang 3. Wat Phra Singh to Chiang Rai Doi Inthanon National Park 4 11 4. Wat Chet Yot 5. Wat Suan Dok 118 H1009 goes to the summit of Doi Inthanon (47kms), Three Kings Monument passing three major waterfalls; the Mae Yai Falls (KM1 to Doi Suthep south turn 13kms), Mae Klang Falls (KM7-8 south turn Arcade Oliver Hargreave 1km), Vachiratarn Falls (KM20 north turn & park), the bus station Carrefour Park HQ at KM31 (accommodation, visitor centre & S Kat Suan Kaew S permits for Kiw Mae Pan trail at KM42. Tel: (0) 5331 1 1608), the Royal Pagodas (KM40 west turn), and the M M summit (47kms). Access to the Mae Pan falls is from 3 5 2 H1192 KM6-7 (3kms 4WD). The national park entrance N N Train Station Makro S fee will give you access to all sites in the park for one 1006 M P I day. The park also runs a home-stay ecotourism N G
R bus station programme at KM26 (Tel: (0) 1881 7346 or (0) 1258 I
V Post Office E
6071) R M Fresh Market Airport bridged interchange intersection with lights 11 The following resorts are in good locations for an 13 Airport Plaza S one-way early start to explore Doi Inthanon: N Night Bazaar Little Home Guest House H1009 KM7 Tel: (0) TAT (0) 5324 8604, 1224 3446 (0) 5324 8607 Navasoung Resort H1192 KM19 Tel: & Fax: 108 Tel: (0) 5320 2871 S (0) 5382 8477 Lotus 106 to Chom Thong (section 4) to Lamphun (section 5) to Lampang
www.budget.co.th 9 MAE SARIANG SECTION 5 : 593 kms. CHIANG MAI VIA MAE SOT
he route south (section 4) MAE SARIANG to THOEN 106 T from pointer 8 3 1 1214 Õ.Õ¡°ãÕ¬ S a l w a e e n LI on H105 to Mae Sot Mae Ngao OM KOI Õ.¬“߇ªï¬π Õ.≈’È (232 kms) is remote Mid-Range National Park 1668 Ban Yang Piang Oliver Hargreave 1 Taweechai Resort and especially pictur- $-$$$ H105 1538 1087 Wat Wiang W a n g KM71 Tel: (0) 5553 checkpoint Kaeng Ko (boats) 18 esque as far as Mae Mae Ping 106 1287, (0) 5553 1569 National Park Salit (120kms), but do Fax: (0) 5553 3203 Bkk 4 Ban Thung Ko Õ.‡∂‘π Res: (0) 2656 5661 Fuel 1468 1099 THOEN not travel on this sen- 2 Suan Kamol Resort Ban Tha Song Yang Ko Falls $$ H105 KM20 ∫.∑à“ Õ߬“ß Mae Moei National Park 1102 sitive border route at Tel: (0) 5558 1451 Huai Khi Nok 1267 night. 5 ∫.·¡à ≈‘¥ 1886 Mae Salit MAE PHRIK ∫.·¡àµ◊Ëπ ∫.·¡à√–«“π 884 Rustic Mae Tun Mae Rawan Mae Sot has a 3 Ban Nam Ngao Guest House $. 105 Tham Usu (cave) ∫.·¡à‡™’¬ß√“¬ colourful morning H105 KM191 Tel: (0) 5568 1188, ∫.·¡àÕÿ ÿ Mae Chiang Rai (0) 5568 1956 Fax: (0) 5568 1353 market, jewellery Mae Usu E-mail
argreave spectacular, but slow highway. 3
Kwangtung (Chinese) Oliver H Comfortable, if not rustic, Restaurant guesthouse/resorts organise rafting, elephant and trekking tours to Morning market area City Hotels Karen villages, the Tilosu Falls and 2 DK $ Hotel Intakhiri Rd. Tel: (0) 5554 2648-9, (0) 5553 1699 105 Pornthep Hotel $-$$ Soi Sriwiang. Tel: (0) 5553 2590-4 1090 forest reserves. Advance booking to Moei River Bridge & Myanmar 3 recommended. Rafting/Trekking (Umphang area) Mid-Range Mae Sot Travel Centre SP Tour. Tel: (0) 5553 1409, (0) 5554 6121-3 1 Central Mae Sot Hill Hotel, $$-$$$ Asia Highway (H105 KM77-8) Fax: (0) 5553 2279 Bkk Off: (0) 2573 7942, (0) 2981 9991-2 Tu Ka Su Cottage - . Tel: (0) 5553 2601-8. Bkk Res: (0) 2541 1234 ex 4444 to Umphang Rooms in family sized bungalows. Tel: (0) 5556 1295. 14). The small Yuttahatti Pagoda is 1km down this road. If Umphang Hill Resort - $$$ proceeding to Bhumiphol Dam, keep going straight after Tel: (0) 5556 1063-4 or call SP Tour crossing river (KM54), crossing several lanes till you come in Mae Sot to a T junction with main road. Turn left for Dam (5kms) and right for H1 (14kms). to Chiang Mai (fast route) 16 POINTER SIXTEEN Lampang H1 Tak to Thoen 92kms - fast divided highway. The 1 to Sukhothai The junction of H1 and H12. Go west to H1107 Phitsanulok road to the Bhumiphol Dam (8th largest concrete arch dam (cross river 12 for H1107 to Ban Tak and rural route for alternative goes west at KM463. H1102 to Mae Phrik at KM490-1 route) to Bhumiphol Dam. Take Highway provides an alternative rural route to Thoen. 12 east for Sukhothai (see Budget’s to Mae Sot (H105) Bangkok ‘Chiang Mai-Sukhothai Loop’), or H1 18 POINTER EIGHTTEEN for the fastest route north. to Lampang to Bhumiphol Dam to Li, Lamphun H1 KM513-4 west turn for H106 to Li. Yuttahatti km31 106 1 Pagoda (1km) 17 POINTER SEVENTEEN After crossing the river, a south turn leads alternative route from 1175 to Thoen district town (4kms) and H1102 Mae Ramat H1107 KM30-31 termination of alterna- Wat Wiang (2kms) km513 along the west bank. Wat Wiang (2kms) 1107 tive route H1175 to Mae Ramat (pointer to Thoen to Tak to Ban Tak has one of only a few remaining classic northern-style vihara. to Thoen Tourism TAK Authority H106 Thoen to Lamphun (155kms) and Chiang Mai To Shrine of Thailand Ban of King Taksin (181kms) — see section 4 map. Beware of heavy trucks Beer the Great 16 Tak from the lignite 1107 Gardens to Chiang Mai LAMPHUN mine near KM36 on 12 106 N the bends between
P I Train Station N G KM12-29! At KM 47 R I V to Sukhothai E H1087 goes to the R Wooden House Sriphan Noodles 1 (09:00-15:00) Mae Ping National $ (see Chiang Mai- Park HQ (20kms), 4 1 Sukhothai Loop WCD) Ku Chang Ko Falls (42kms)
Footbridge K
(closed) U
A and the Kaeng Ko N Dao Khanong G Rapids (43kms).
Mid Range R I
2 V 1 Viang Tak Hotel $$ Mahat E Rafts accommodation
Thai Bamrung Rd. R Tel: (0) 5551 1910, (0) 5551 1950 available as well as Viang Tak 2 Hotel $$ 419 2 Oliver Hargreave boat trips on the Mae Chomphol Rd. Wat Phra Yeun Tel: (0) 5551 2686, (0) 5551 2507 Ping Lake. Advance Bkk Res: (0) 2511 2363 3 booking recom- City Hotels to Lampang 104 mended (Tel: (0) 5351 3 Suan Sin Garden Resort $ 114 Tel: (0) 5551 1102 Wat Phrathat Haripunchai N 9031). Sights in 4 Songwon Thai Hotel $ Taksin Rd: Wat Mahawan Tel: (0) 5551 1153 Lamphun include Wat 1015 National Museum Phrathat Haripunchai Tourism Authority of Thailand M to Sanpatong & Tel: (0) 5551 4341-3 Wat Chamadevi and Wat Chamadevi. Chid Chon Queen Oliver Hargreave 1 Restaurant Chamadevi Monument bus station & to Rung Market Sports 106 Stadium
to Mae Sot 105 to Kamphaeng Phet to Pasang www.budget.co.th 11 INSTRUCTIONS
Go this way Highway Number umbered pointers listed in sequence in the direction of travel show 4 important road junctions along the recommended route (reverse these if Pointer number N and direction 3 of travel travelling in the opposite direction). These are illustrated as follows.
Kilometre references are noted in Remember to always take drinking travel with enough cash baht to see two ways: water - allow for emergencies. Make you to the next ATM (at banks in main sure you have a torch, enough fuel, district towns — amphoe). Good hotel H107 KM13 = Highway 107 kilometre basic provisions and warm clothing rooms in provincial cities usually cost stone 13 is close to the point of before entering remote roads through 1000-1999 baht ( ), depending on focus mountainous areas. season. H107 KM98-9 = The point of focus lies 2000 Baht up between kilometre stones 98&99. Help us get it right! If you have 1000-1999 suggestions or wish to point out errors Kilometre stones are usually found 500-999 Baht in this guide, please advise our staff. at 1 or 2 km intervals on most num- less than 500 Baht bered highways. Though names are written in Thai, the highway number INFORMATION (top front face of stone) confirms your NATIONAL PARKS route in the absence of English signs. This guide is designed to complement regular guide-books. The Visitor centres at park HQs usually Background shading indicates offices of the Tourism Authority of have brochures with maps detailing points of interest/side trip/alternative Thailand (TAT — locations on city sights, though English language versions road along or off the recommended maps) at Chiang Mai and Tak can also may not always be available. There are route. provide very useful information and board maps and walking trails are H108* = Black stars by highway brochures. usually well-marked. numbers/along routes indicate rough Park accommodation can be patches where the sealed surface has ACCOMMODATION spartan, and is not well set up for walk- buckled/potholed and broken up. Be in trade unless you bring your own ready to slow right down frequently, Country resorts often occupy tent and food. Prior reservation from avoid driving faster than 60 kph! delightful settings offering rural the Forestry Department in Bangkok ambience with the convenience of is essential in the season. Tel: (0) 2579 4WD Only! If you are driving a chalet-rooms with fan/air-conditioning 7223, (0) 2579 5734, (0) 2561 4292-4 vehicle that does not have four wheel and hot shower (fridge and TV) in a ext. 724&725. drive, please do not take this road. garden setting near a central restaurant/ From August 2000 all foreigners are Though it is not usually necessary to reception area. In the high season — being charged 200 Bt./head entrance engage the 4WD itself, the higher November through April — advance fee, and this fee is being rigorously clearance and fortified suspension of booking is highly recommended, if not applied at most national parks along such vehicles make their use obligatory a must for the best places both in the the route in this guide. Hitherto charges on such roads. country and the city. were 40-50 Bt./vehicle and 20 Bt./head, Dirt Roads go all over the moun- Credit cards are usually only as it is for Thai citizens. tains of N. Thailand, but there are few accepted by larger resort/hotels — signs, even in Thai, and it is very easy to get disoriented. Main unsealed roads are all-weather, but in the rainy season À¬ÿ¥ most dirt roads will often have patches À¬ÿ¥ with deep mud ruts, glutinous mud that µ√«® clogs up the wheels and or moist compacted mud that is so slippery that STOP NO PASSING STOP (POLICE) chains are obligatory — under no CHECK circumstances venture onto dirt roads in the hills during the rainy season!
ithin Design 0 5327 2111
We recommend that you avoid dirt greave (
, Co Ltd. Graphics by W road, however, please drive very slowly travel consultant or call Budget: to avoid mechanical problems and to keep the dust down, especially when In the U.K.: 0541 565-656, In the U.S.: (800) 527-0700 passing people and communities. In Germany: 01805 244-388, In Australia: 1-300 362-848 In Singapore: 532-4442, In Thailand: 1-800-BUDGET 12
(c) all rights reserved. Compiled by Oliver Har for WorldClass Rent A Car for WorldClass Budget WorldClass Drives LOEI AND THE MIDDLE MEKONG
NA NOI ·æ√à PHRAE L A O S L A O S
101 Mekong River SANG KHOM BAN KHOK 211 PHON PHISAI 2267 N PAK CHOM SI CHIANG MAI 2 DEN CHAI 2376 211 Õ.ÀπÕߧ“¬ 212 1047 10kms NONG KHAI 1268 CHIANG KHAN 2266
R
11 2020 2329 NAM PHAT 2108 Historical Park 1146 PEN 1239 BAN PHU 201 2022 Õÿµ√¥‘µ∂å THA LI 2 2195 2249 2021 UTTARADIT 2255 2115 1047 1214 National Park National Park ‡≈¬ 11 1328 NA HAEO 2352 2399 LOEI 2294 Õÿ¥√∏“π’ 2096 1268 PHU RUA 203 2138 1214 THUNG SAEN KHAN 2312 3 2263 UDON THANI 1237 2097 2263 2113 2114 NONG HAN 1246 22 ERAWAN 2314 CHATRAKAN 4 2140 210 210 DAN SAI WANG SAPHUNG PHICHAI 1296 Wildlife 2313 2013 Sanctuary ÀπÕß∫—«≈”¿Ÿ 1248 NONG BUA LAMPHU
1143 203 NONG SAENG NAKHON THAI 228 KUMPHAWAPHI 2016 2216 WAT BOT 2331 2013 SI BUN RUANG 11 National LOM KAO Park 12 National 5 12 PHU KRADUNG 2 6 National 2216 Park æ‘…≥ÿ‚≈° Park 2133 WANG THONG 21 LOM SAK National PHITSANULOK 12 National Park UBOL RATANA KRANUAN 117 National 1295 Park 20 Park KHAO KHO PHU WIANG
21 2038 11 KHON SAN CHUMPHAE 2258 115 12 ¢Õπ·°àπ 111 SAK LEK 201 1 CHIANG YUN 2187 KHON KAEN ‡æ™√∫Ÿ√≥å 2131 PHICHIT 2062
Oliver Hargreave æ‘®‘µ√ PHETCHABUN PHRA YUN
Highlights of the Drive The main route is divided into six whether to begin your drive in Khon sections, each with recommended Kaen, Udon Thani or Phitsanulok, and he Friendship Highway links accommodation. This allows you to then for you to set your pace on an T Bangkok to Isan, an area which spend a full day en route and reach adventure into this beautiful, less- encompassses the north-eastern pro- comfortable lodging by nighfall in each visited part of the Kingdom. vinces of Thailand. The people of this section. region enjoy a distinctive language and For further information, please see culture, which they share with their It remains for you to choose the back page. Happy Trails! cousins across the River Mekong in Laos. Starting from Khon Kaen, a cultural ROADS IN THAILAND centre in the heart of Isan, the drive follows the Friendship Highway north All main and most minor roads are sealed. Signs and reflective markers to the commercial city of Udon Thani warn of hazards on major highways, and sodium lighting illuminates major and then to Nong Khai, a tranquil town intersections. Bilingual (English/Thai) road signs indicate destinations, high- on the banks of the Mekong. way numbers and distances before and after intersections. From Nong Khai the route follows Kilometre stones show highway number and distance along the road on the the Mekong valley upstream, before front face, and distances to destinations in the direction of travel on the side. turning south to the provincial capital The police and military set up road check-points on highways, especially at of Loei and then heading west across night, but there are no security problems. mountain ranges to Phitsanulok. Please remember to drive on the left! Located in the north central plains Emergency Assistance 1-800-BUDGET, Udon Thani Office (0) 4224 6805, of the Chao Phraya basin, Phitsanulok (0) 9841 4753 Phitsanulok Office, (0) 5525 8556, (0) 1820 8644, lies close to the historical origins of Khon Kaen Office (0) 4334 5460, (0) 1925 4228 the Kingdom of Thailand at Sukhothai. From Phitsanulok, a different route east crosses the ranges again back to Online Bookings: Khon Kaen or Udon Thani. Scenic shorter Our fastest way to rent a car www.budget.co.th drives are also possible from Phitsanulok. 1 KHON KAEN SECTION 1 : 165 kms. NONG KHAI
2267 he drive starts in Khon Kaen, a regional centre in Isan KHON KAEN to NONG KHAI PHON PHISAI Õ.‚æπæ‘ —¬ T with a vibrant night life. From Khon Kaen Highway 2 Õ.»√’‡™’¬ß„À¡à races north towards the River Mekhong along a fast divided SI CHIANG MAI Mekong River (spring rolls village) 212 highway that allows an easy journey to the major Udon ÀπÕߧ“¬ NONG KHAI Nong Khai Golf (9 holes) Thani. Side tours along the route lead to King Cobra Village 7 Sala Kaeo Ku Õ. √â“ߧա and Ban Chiang World Heritage. THA BO SANG KHOM Õ.∑à“∫àÕ 50 kms north of Udon Thani lies Nong Khai, a languid 6 Victory Park GC 2329 provincial capital on the banks of the Mekong. Though the 211 Wat Phrathat friendship bridge at Nong Khai is the main entry point for Bang Phuan Õ.‡æÁ≠ PHEN vehicles into Laos, Budget vehicles may not cross at present. 5 Nevertheless, with the border market, the extraordinary sculp- 2022 tures of Sala Kaeo Ku and the variety of restaurants along 2 °‘Ëß Õ.æ‘∫Ÿ≈¬å√—°…å the river, Nong Khai is a pleasant town for a stopover (see 2021 2255 PHIBUNRAK to Phu Phrabat map, section 2). Historical Park Ban Na Kha (silk)
4 Õ.∑ÿàßΩπ South from Khon Kaen THUNG FON 2096 Sights south of Khon Kaen include the silk weaving Õ.°ÿ¥®—∫ Õÿ¥√∏“π’ 2312 Ban Chiang KUT CHAP UDON THANI 3 village of Channabot (KM11 on H229 to Mancha Khiri — 2263 Õ.ÀπÕßÀ“√ World Heritage Site NONG HAN 66kms), the ‘Tortoise Village’ (KM40 on H2062 to Mancha
22 Khiri — 54 kms) and the Khmer ruins at Phimai (H2 and Sri Thani Golf (9 holes) H206 —151kms). Contact the TAT office in Khon Kaen for (West turn from H2 210 at Don Kheng more information about places near Khon Kaen. km109-110 Wat Pa Ban That (0) 1954 3188 2350 1 2313 POINTER ONE Wat Tham Khlong Pen Udon Thani H12 & H2 intersection, Khon Kaen. Turn Õ.ÀπÕß«—«´Õ 2 2239 Budget NONG WUA SO 12 Khon Kaen north for Udon Thani (116 kms). Phimai 2 Airport Kalasin Õ.°ÿ¡¿«“ªï Lom Sak 667m 2023 NONG SAENG KUMPHAWAPHI (151 kms) & Nakhon Ratchasima (189 Nakhon Õ.ÀπÕß· ß Ratchasima kms) are south. 2025 »√’∏“µÿ KM35 U-turn and east turn onto H2039 to Kranuan for SI THAT Ban Kok Sanga, ‘King Cobra Village’. Drive on H2039 to
2146 KM14 and then take a side road south for 2kms. Villagers 2231 THA KHANTO 2009 will show you cobras, but shows may only be put on for Õ.∑à“§—π‚∑ Õ.‚ππ –Õ“¥ groups. NONG SA-AT Õ.‚ππ —ß 2298 2152 NONG SANG 2 KM26-7 H2109 leads Ubon Rattana Dam (26kms) and Õ.Õÿ∫≈√—µπå H2146 to Nong Bua Lamphu (89 kms) UBOL RATANA Õ.°√–π«π Õ.πÈ”æÕß KRANUAN 2 POINTER TWO NAM PHONG 2039 2 2109 King Cobra Village Kumphawaphi KM81-2 H2023 to Kumphawaphi inter- 2023 2183 sects with H2. Turn right here for alter- native route to Ban Chiang World Heri- Prathat Kham Kaen 2110 Khon Kaen tage (see sidebar) Ban Nong Chum 2268 2152 3 to Chumphae Nong Khai POINTER THREE ¢Õπ·°àπ 2 12 Ban Thum KHON KAEN Fountain circle in Udon Thani. Unless it 209 Õ.‡™’¬ß¬◊π 1 Ban Chiang CHIANG YUN to Kalasin City is rush hour, take H2 through Udon 2131 230 209 Thani. H22 east is the direct route from Õ.æ√–¬◊π 2062 N Khon Kaen Udon Thani to Ban Chiang. PHRA YUN Ban Tha Phra 10kms 208 Õ.‚° ÿ¡æ‘ —¬ 4 POINTER FOUR KOSUM PHISAI
R
Ban Phu H2 KM130 H2021 goes to Ban Phu and
Oliver Hargreave to Maha Sarakham 2021 Phu Phrabat Historical Park (56 kms).
130 This site can also be visited from Nong Khai (see sidebar, section 2) 2 www.budget.co.th to Udon Thani 2 KHON KAEN 5 POINTER FIVE 2km. to Udon Thani R N ‰ª Õÿ¥√∏“π’ H2 KM 146/7 junction of H2022 to Khon Kaen (0) 4334 5460 University Mobile (0) 1925 4228 0 500m 2022 Phen and Nong Han districts — Convention Centre alternative rural route to/from 12 R km 6 to Kalasin Lang Sun Rachakan Rd. to Chumphae 209 Ban Chiang A km 4 2131 to Phra Yun 230 Ban Chiang, World Heritage Site.
Thepharak Rd. B Sun Rachakan Rd. Kasikonthungsang Rd. The Lao Phuan village of Ban Chiang is a site of to Nakhon Ratchasima major interest 50 kms east of Udon Thani. A Na- 2 Phimai Na Sun Rachakan Rd.C tional Museum (open daily 09:00-17:00) and an to Airport 12 Maliwan Rd. Chumphae 1 Oliver Hargreave Prachasamoson Rd. excavation site exhibit at Wat Phu Si Nai detail life D in the area 2000-4000 years ago. PLACES M 6 A. Khon Kaen Museum 1 G B. Communications Authority of 209 From Khon Kaen (total 146 kms), you may avoid Thailand (overseas telephone) 5 to Kalasin C. Provincial Hall Udon Thani by taking H2023 (pointer 2) to D. Thai Airways Office ‰ª °“à ‘π∏ÿå 2 Lang Muang Rd. Shopping Mitraphap Rd. Kumphawapi (8kms) and then H2350 to Nong Han E. Oasis Shopping Mall 4 F. Fairy Plaza 7 M (31 kms). This joins H22 at KM34, where the high- Sri Chan Rd. Night Entertainment 3 way bypasses south of Nong Han district town. Turn G. Nate Night Bazar H E H. Times Square 1 right (east) and drive either to KM42 and follow a 8 Tourism Authority of Thailand 2 3 9 Sithakhon Rd. sealed highway NE (Ban Chiang 8 kms), or con- Tel: (0) 4324 4498-9 Long distance (air-con) tinue to KM50 and turn north on H2225 (Ban Chiang bus station Chuancheun Rd. Prachasamran Rd. 10 Post Office 9 6 kms). From Udon Thani follow H22 east to Nong Railway Station 11 M M Fresh Market Han and then as described above. Anamai Rd.
Restaurants F To continue directly to Nong Khai from Ban 1. First Choice 2. Ban Na Mai Chiang via a rural route, return on H22 to Nong 3. The Parrot 4. Bua Luang Han and turn north on H2312. Continue on this 5. Ban Suan 2 4 Darunsamran Rd. 6. Nong Pla Na Muang Rd. road, passing Pen district town and joining H2 at 7. Thang Garden Klang Muang Rd. 7 8 KM146 (Pointer 4). You may also visit the silk 8. Kung Phao 5 6 9. Night Market village of Ban Na Kha using this route by turning 2131 Khon Kaen Hotel $-$$ Phimphasut Rd., ‰ªπ§√√“™ ’¡“ 5 Tel: (0) 4324 4881-5, Fax: (0) 4324 2458 off H2312 (H2022 continues north) onto H2255 at to Nakhon Ratchasima Rosesukhon Hotel $$, Klang Muang Rd. KM29 and heading west to Ban Na Kha (KM134 on Up-Market Hotels 6 Tel: (0) 4323 8576-9, Fax: (0) 4323 9457 1 Charoen Thani Princess $$-$$$, Sri Chan Rd, Tel: (0) 4322 0400-14 City Hotels H2). Fax: (0) 4322 0438 e-mail
to Kut Chap ‰ª Õ.°ÿ¥®—∫ 2263 PLACES City pillar & open ground UDON THANI 2 night entertainment 22 S Shopping & Superstore Tourism Authority of Thailand 210 7 km121 S Tel: (0) 4225 3406-7 210 Airport Big C Railway Station ‰ª ÀπÕß∫—«≈”¿Ÿ ‰ª °≈π§√ ∫â“π‡™’¬ß @ internet Nong Prachak Park to Nong Bua Lamphu to Sakol Nakhon Ban Chiang
Restaurants R 1. Rabiang Phatchani 1 2 2. Mandarin Tel: (0) 4224 6805 3. VT Naem Nuang (Vietnamese) 4. Mae Ya 6 Mobile: (0) 9841 4753 5. Muang Kon Luang Provincial Hall Night Market 6. Night Market ‰ª ¢Õπ·°àπ to Khon Kaen Up-Market Hotels Thesa Rd. Ban Chiang Hotel $$$, Mukmontri Rd, 1 3 Wattana Nuwong Rd. Tel: (0) 4232 7911-29 5 Fax: (0) 4322 3200. Bkk Res: (0) 2231 2669. 3 E-mail:
Chaiporn Hotel. $ Mak Khaeng Rd. liver Hargreave
8 R O Tel: (0) 4222 1913 5 Nittayo Rd. 9 Charoensri Palace Hotel. $-$$ Phosi Rd. Tel: (0) 4222 2601 to Airport
www.budget.co.th 3 NONG KHAI SECTION 2 : 245 kms. LOEI
Mekong N NONG KHAI to LOEI R i v Checkpoint e (km115) r 10kms L A O S
Km84-5 Buoy Guest House R
8 Km82 Siam Bungalow Guest House Ban Hat Pia (rapids) Than Thip Falls SANG KHOM Rim Nam Restaurant Õ. —ߧ¡ Than Thong Falls 211 Wat Phatak Sua Pak Chom Resort 947m PAK CHOM 530m Õ.ª“°™¡ Wat Hin Mak Paeng 211 Õ.»√’‡™’¬ß„À¡à 2376 SI CHIANG MAI Kaeng Kut Ku Rapids Wat Arun Banphot 212 Yung Thong Falls (spring rolls village) Õ.ÀπÕߧ“¬ 9 Chiang Khan Hill Resort Nong Khai 2266 NONG KHAI Golf (9 holes) 7 CHIANG KHAN Wat Si Chomphu Ong Teu Sala Kaeo Ku Õ.‡™’¬ß§“π THA BO 739m ∫â“π°≈“ß„À≠à Õ.∑à“∫àÕ Ban Klang Õ.πÈ”‚ ¡ Ban Klang Yai 6 Ban Klang Ban Sam Liam 2195 NAM SOM 2020 Victory Park GC Wat Phrathat Phu Phrabat Historical Park Bang Phuan 2108 Ban Song Puai Õ.∫â“πº◊Õ 2348 BAN PHU Phra Phuttabat Bua Bok 5
201 2 2249 865m 2021 to Tha Li 2097 Ban Na Kha 2115 SUWAN KHU HA (silk) Wat Tham Phapu Õ. ÿ«√√≥§ŸÀ“ 4 2255 (sealed roads, often broken up, ‡≈¬ 2352 traverse this area. No English signs!) 10 Õ.π“¥â«ß 524m to Phu Rua LOEI NA DUANG 203 2138 Ban Na Dan ∫â“ππ“¥à“π 3 Loei Airport 2263 Õÿ¥√∏“π’ 2097 KUT CHAP 2263 UDON THANI Õ.°ÿ¥®—∫ Tham Erawan (cave) Huai Luang Dam Ban Lao Õ.π“°≈“ß 2314 Sri Thani Golf (9 holes) 210 210 (West turn from H2 2140 NA KLANG 591m Ban Na Luang at Don Kheng Wat Pa Ban That WANG SAPHUNG ERAWAN km109-110 Õ.«—ß –æÿß °‘ËßÕ.‡Õ√“«—≥ (0) 1954 3188 2140 ÀπÕß∫—«≈”¿Ÿ NONG BUA LAMPHU Wat Tham Khlong Pen 2313 Kinnaree Resort
201 2016 2250 667m liver Hargreave Õ.ÀπÕß«—«´Õ O to Phu Kradung NONG WUA SO
fter joining H211 (pointer 6), you follow the Mekong Alternative Route via Phu Phrabat Historical Park A valley upstream through increasingly scenic landscape. (101 kms) An alternative route takes you to Phu Phrabat, returning This route rejoins H211 at Sang Khom. Take H2020 back to the Mekong at Sang Khom for the picturesque sec- (pointer 7) to Ban Phu and then H2348 to the historical tion east to Chiang Khan. park — a visit to this site is recommended (allow 90 min. to walk around the park). From Chiang Khan, the route heads south to Loei, a provincial market centre serving the surrounding uplands. Continue west on H2348 to Ban Sam Liam (KM28) be- fore turning north (right) on H2376 to Sang Khom. Turn 6 POINTER SIX off H2376 at KM15 to visit the Yung Thong Falls (right turn 159 on concrete lane at the sign for Na Yung-Nam Som Forest KM158/9 H211 west to Chiang Khan. 211 Park — 2kms). Chiang Khan Victory Park East to Victory Park Golf Course (7.5 Sri Chiang Mai 158 Golf Course kms. See accommodation for details.) Tha Bo (follow signs) If you do not wish to miss sights on H211 between KM28 & 84, return to H211 on H2266 (which joins H2348 at a T-junction south of KM15 — if taking H2266 north 4 www.budget.co.th turn hard right at confusing sign near KM8). NONG KHAI
Friendship Bridge 1 Km. M e k o n g R i v e r Local 1 7 Immigration 2 5 3 4 Checkpoint Day Market Wat Hai Sok Kaeo Worawut Rd.3 5 6 9 1 Michai Rd. 7 ‰ª Õ.‚æπæ‘ —¬ Prap Ho Monument Praserm to Phon Phisai Wat Si Saket Wat Phochai Prachak Rd. Bus Station 8 212 Phonphisai Rd. 2 Nong Khai @Internet Immigration 4 Checkpoint Up-market Hotels 1 Mekong Royal Nongkhai $$$, 222 Jommani Beach, Nong Khai. Tel: (0) 4242 0024, (0) 4246 5777-8 Nong Khai Station Fax: (0) 4242 1280 Bkk Res: (0) 2272 0087-9 Sala Kaeo Ku Sculpture Park 2 Nong Khai Grand Hotel $$ Phonphisai Rd, Nong Khai Tel: (0) 4242 0033, (0) 4242 0044 Fax: (0) 4241 2026 Bkk Res: (0) 2237 6809-12
Oliver Hargreave Mid-Range Hotels 3 Thai Laos Riverside Hotel $$, Kaeo Worawut Rd. Tel: (0) 4246 0263-7, Fax: (0) 4246 0317 4 Tip Hotel $-$$, Mitraphap Rd, Nong Khai Tel&Fax: (0) 4246 4513-22 Restaurants City Hotels/Guest Houses 1. Dang Naem Muang 5 Khong River Hotel$-$$ , Kaeo Worawut Rd, Tel: (0) 4241 1277 2. Ruen Rim Nam 6 Mut Mee Guest House $, Kaeo Worawut Rd. Fax: (0) 4226 0717. e-mail
Tha Bo Market 7 POINTER SEVEN H211 KM73 Than Thong Falls. A laterite (dirt) road from the local market just east (150 m) of the falls goes south. 211 KM28/9 H2020 to Ban Phu (30 kms) and 2020 After 1.5kms a dirt road right leads to Wat Phatak Sua (7.4 Ban Phu Phu Phrabat Historical Park (42 kms) — Phu Phrabhat Historical kms from highway —4WD recommended) and a fine view alternative route to pointer 8. Park alternative route over the valley from a bluff. This is a good view for sun- KM54 Wat Aran Banphot — a new chedi on a slope sets if staying in Sang Khom. above the highway 8 KM64 Wat Hin Mak Peng — a temple overlooking a (Buoy Guest House) POINTER EIGHT narrow part of the River Mekong. Polite dress required. Sang Khom High St. KM84/5 Sang Khom (amphoe) Shops H2376 to Ban Sam Liam (alternative 2376 CHIANG KHAN alternative route route to Phu Phrabat Historical M e k o n g R i v e r 1 Park). Chiang Khan GH 2 1 H
3 17 5 Wat Tha Khok District Office 4 21 2 Wat Mahathat OK Guest House H 7 KM183/4 North turn to Kaeng Kut Ku rapids
9 Post Office to Kaeng Kut Ku (5 kms)
3 km86 Wat Si Khun Muang 211 (2.5 kms). The rapids are a popular local tourist 2195 Wat Pa Klang Wat Pa Tai km48 9 spot with up-market dining and accommodation 1 Dragon with the Golden Ball Guest House $ Tel: (0) 4282 1056 available on the river bank at the Chiang Khan 2 Friendship Hotel $ Chai Khong Rd. Tel&Fax: (0) 4282 2052
Oliver Hargreave ‰ª ‡≈¬ to Loei 2195 211 KM187 H211 ends at T junction with
to Chiang Khan 48 H201&H2195 in Chiang Khan. H211 LOEI 201 ‰ª ‡™’¬ß§“π Loei Up-Market Hotels turn south on H201 1 Loei Palace Hotel (opening end 2000) City Hotels H201 KM7/8 West turn on H2115 to Tha Li Restaurants 2 King Hotel $ Chumsai Rd. 1. Khrua Nit (opp. Phu Luang Hotel) Tel: (0) 4281 1701, (0) 4281 1783, and then right at KM2 for Wat Tham Phapu Cave 2. Bua Luang (south on H201 KM204) (0) 4281 1225 Fax: (0) 4281 1235 3. Loei-Danang (Vietnamese) 3 Phu Luang Hotel $$ Charoenrat Rd. temple (3.9 kms from H201). The temple has a Tel: (0) 4281 1532, (0) 4281 1570, Fax: (0) 4281 2558 grotto containing Buddha images. 4 Royal Inn Hotel $ Chumsai Rd Tel: (0) 4281 2563 Fax: (0) 4283 0873 5 Thai Udom Hotel $-$$ Charoenrat Rd Tel: (0) 4281 1763, (0) 4281 1789, Fax: (0) 4283 0187 ACCOMMODATION ‰ª Õ.¿Ÿ‡√◊Õ, ¥à“π´â“¬, À≈ࡇ°à“ 10 to Phu Rua Dan Sai Lom Kao Bus station Rustic guest houses have rooms at Sang Khom 203 Hospital km207 M Market and Pak Chom; for more up-market accommoda- Night entertainment 1 3 Post Office tion go to Chiang Khan or Loei. Ruamchai Rd. M 5 @ internet • Siam Bungalow $, Sang Khom, H211 KM82-3 4@ 3 • Pak Chom Resort $. Pak Chom. H211 KM145- 2 Nok Kaew Rd. 6 Tel: (0) 4288 1033
Charoenrat Rd. • Chiang Khan Hill Resort $ - $$$ , Kaeng Kut Post Office N 1 Khu (off H211 at KM183) Tel: 042 Bkk Res: ‰ª Õ.π“¥âÕß to Na Duang (0) 2580 6201 2138 1 Km. • Victory Park Golf & Country Club (Pointer 6. H2 KM158-9 Turn east on sealed road and
R to Wang Saphung follow signs —7.5 kms). Tel: (0) 4240 7296 2 Phu Kradung Chumpae
Oliver Hargreave Fax: (0) 4240 7299 201 & Airport ‰ª Õ.«—ß –æÿß, ¿Ÿ°√–¥÷ß, ™ÿ¡·æ 5 LOEI SECTION 3 : 81 kms. DAN SAI
THA LI to Pak Huai rom Loei, Highway 203 climbs 2115 LOEI to DAN SAI ∫â“ππ“®“π to a pass at KM30 before L A O S Ban Na Chan F to Ahi slowly descending into an upland ∫â“𪓰¬“ß ∫â“πÀπÕߺ◊Õ Ban Pak Yang valley well-known for its cold Ban Nong Phu 2108 2099 2115 Õ.∑à“≈’È to Loei temperatures and for Phu Rua THA LI ∫â“𪓰À«“¬ Ban Na Kraseng Ban Pak Huai National Park. ∫â“πÕ“Œ’ Ban Pak Yang Ban Ahi 2115 Dan Sai is famous for the 2099 201 to H2399 (5 kms) 2195 Wat Phrathat Satta Phitakon festival held sometime √æ™. THA LI Õ.∑à“≈’È in June according to a schedule ∫â“π¬“ß determined by the officiating sha- Ban Tang 725m 2115 man. Huang Phu Rua Wat Tham Phaphu Nam National Park ∫â“ππ“¢à“ 1365m 10 POINTER TEN Ban Na Kha ‡≈¬ 10 Chiang Khan H201 KM207 ∫â“𪓰À¡—π Waranya LOEI 2294 2399 201 south/KM0 Ban Pak Man 203 2138 4 2 1 23 north — junc- PHU RUA 3 Ban San Tom Phu Rua Loei City Loei Airport Dan Sai 201 tion with H203. Õ.¿Ÿ‡√◊Õ Phu Rua Chalet Phitsanulok Wan Saphung Pha Kradung See ‘Alternative Phu Rua Resort Chumphae 2114 Chateau de Loei Routes South on H201’ sidebar for Phu Kradung 11 Ranger Stn. National Park and for shorter re- Ban Khok Ngam Rang Yen Ban Lao turn routes to Udon Thani and 2013 Ban Na Luang 2113 2140 Pattakan Rim Pa (km12) Khon Kaen. WANG SAPHUNG 210 Wat Phrathat Si Ong Rak Õ.«—ß –æÿß Õ.¥à“π´â“¬ 1307m Ranger Stn. KM49 Phu Rua National Park DAN SAI (7kms). Take the narrow lane 2013 2016 201 2014 1 Phu Rua Mews. $$$ Km.31 Phu Luang Wildlife Ban Phong Ngam north to the most accessible of Tel: (0) 4289 1396-7, Sanctuary the protected plateau wilder- Ban Pong Chi Bkk Res: (0) 2513 7578-9 (no entry) 2 Hill Brook Hut $$$ Km44. 2250 nesses in this region. After en- Tel: (0) 4289 9243 tering the park you can drive to Fax: (0) 4289 9244 1571m 3 Pimporn Resort. $$.Km46. a car-park within a one Tel: (0) 4289 9152, kilometre walk of the summit. 203 Bkk Res: (0) 2281 4359 PHU LUANG Cheun Chiwin Õ.¿ŸÀ≈«ß 4 Saban Nga Resort $ Km52. Ban Tao Tat KM60/1 Chateau de Loei - Tel: (0) 4289 9278-9 Tat Khok Nong Haeo Thailand’s premier winery. You Ban Khok Nong Haeo can visit the vineyard on a lane ∫â“π‚§°ÀπÕß·Àà« Ban Sila 2016 south just east of the restaurant/ 2216 shop complex (9 kms round ∫â“π°°°–∑àÕπ Ban Tat Kloi Ban Kok Kathon trip). The high hill to the south ∫â“πÀ‘π≈“¥ is a macadamia plantation, which Ban Hin Lat along with the Rang Yen Resort ∫â“π«—ß∫“≈ Tham Yai Nam Nao and the Loei Palace Hotel, Ban Wang Ban (cave) 1150m 2005 belongs to the same owner. 2372 Phu Kradung LOM KAO National Park 11 POINTER ELEVEN 2331 Õ.À≈ࡇ°à“ 1316m 2011 Nam Nao Dan Sai Phu Rua National Park 2013 KM66. Right Lom Swiss Hill 2216 203 66 turn to follow 203 21 Õ.À≈à¡ —° Õ.πÈ”Àπ“« Lom Kao recommended Nattirat Grand LOM SAK NAM NAO Lom Sak route west on 12 2209 H2013 to Dan Sai (15) kms. See Nam Nao National Park HQ No fuel for 65 kms! N ‘Alternative Routes from H203 21 Ban Ton Khwang South’ for remote rural roads that
2275 offer circular routes back east to
Phetchabun Airport Saithong Falls Oliver Hargreave Khon Kaen or Udon Thani. If R travelling towards Phitsanuloke, 1271m H2331 west over Phu Hin Rong Kla offers a spectacular alterna- tive route (see sidebar, section 4). 6 www.budget.co.th ALTERNATIVE ROUTES SOUTH ON to Loei 201 ‰ª‡≈¬ KM165 A sealed road runs west to Suan Hin Pha Ngam H201 2140 (Rock Garden Cliff), an area of limestone pinnacles, caves to Ban Na Luang to Nong Bua and small waterfalls in uplands (18kms) — a local tourist From pointer 10, H201 south offers Lamphu routes for shorter circular tours back 210 spot. Accommodation available at the Chao Phraya Pha 184 to Udon Thani via Nong Bua Lamphu, WANG SAPHUNG Ngam Resort. $ Tel: (0) 1974 8145 or Khon Kaen via Phu Kradung. N KM136 West turn on old road to Phu Kradung National UDON THANI VIA WANG SAPHUNG to Kok Kathon Park (8kms). This is the best known of the national parks Phu Luang that occupy the plateaus found at the top of mountains (154KMS) section 2 map 201 2016 2250 to Phu Kradung throughout this region. To reach the summit requires a Go south on H201 and turn east at to Phu Luang Chmuphae KM184-5 onto H210 to Nong Bua 5-6 hour hike — overnight park accommodation/camping Lamphu and Udon Thani. Sights on this route include a is a must (300 & 600 Bt. in forestry department guest houses large Buddha image and illuminated cave at Erawan Cave or in individual houses for 8 persons at 800 Bt.). Open 31 (KM31 north turn 2.5 kms) and the pilgrimage site of Wat Oct. through 31 May, entry 07:00-14:00 only. Tham Khlong Pen (KM90 south turn 2 kms). KM112 Phu Phaman National Park — a recently created park. Features are less spectacular than those at Phu KHON KAEN VIA PHU KRADUNG AND CHUMPHAE Kradung, but the park is more accessible to the motorist. (207 KMS) section 6 map Go on H201 south, which joins H12 at KM94 (113 kms). Accommodation is available in Chumphae at the Sri The sights along this route are as follows (see section 6 for Suphan Grand Royal (see section 6). route information east of pointer 18 on H12)
‰ª Õ.π“·Àâ« to Pak Man (27kms) ALTERNATIVE ROUTES FROM H203 SOUTH DAN SAI to Na Haeo (33kms) ‰ª Õ.ª“°À¡—π H203 south passes over pretty highland country before descending into & Ban Muang Phrae (36kms) the Pa Sak Valley to the district towns of Lom Kao (64 kms) and Lom Sak 2140 (77kms). Go 55 kms south of pointer 11 for the start of scenic, less-travelled back-country roads serving distant destinations (distances are indicated from 2114 H203). N Neither fuel nor help may be readily available in the remote rural uplands through which these roads travel, however. Allow at least half a day for these
routes as tortuous bends and broken road surfaces seldom permit speeds Oliver Hargreave Õ.¥à“π´â“¬ above 60kph. See sections 5&6 for accommodation nearer the start of these DAN SAI routes. M Market Nong Tai H2216 VIA NAM NAO TO H12 (102KMS) 12 Turn west from H203 at Ban Khok Krathong, KM118, for an alternative Wat Phrathat Si Song Rak ‰ª ‡≈¬ route in the direction of Khon Kaen that skirts the northern boundary of Nam to Loei 2013 2013 Nao National Park. At KM58 a south turn by a local restaurant leads to a to Nakhon Thai (42 kms) ranger station (2.3kms) and Tham Yai Nam Nao cave. Park rangers can act as ‰ª Õ.π§√‰∑¬ guides beyond the illuminated 400m (deep access is limited during the rainy 2014 ‰ª Õ.À≈ࡇ°à“ season). Wat Pa Neramit Wipasana (murals) to Lom Kao (50kms) H2206 TO WANG SAPHUNG AND H201 (92KMS) PHU RUA N.PARK Summit 1365 m Turn west from H203 at Ban Khok Krathong, KM118, and then turn Phaya Cliff Pu Ku Viewpoint onto H2216 betweenKM78/79 for a route passing the southern edge of 2.4 km 1.8 km Sa Sawan liver Hargreave Thung Nong O Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary to Wang Saphung. Waterfalls are located Din Dam Range 1. km Checkpoint & Car Park off the road (4WD only) at KM45 (Tat Khok Nong Haeo Falls) and KM43 Lon Noi Cliff (Cheun Chiwin). side road 700 m Hin Sam- 1.5 km Thung Nong Hin Tao Chan Falls lane H2331 TO NAKHON THAI VIA PHU HIN RONGKLA (92 KMS) Din Dam Range HQ2 600 m Sam Tong Cliff See section 4 800 m Hin Taek Range Suan Hin Pha Lae 400 m 800 m Dong Tam Sam Sao Ae Range ACCOMMODATION Lat Muat Ae 1.8 km • The following resorts are best for all year service (guest-house style 1.8 km Dao Chao Viewpoint accommodation is available in Phu Rua) Visitor Centre & Park HQ Nature Trail • Phu Rua Chalet $$ - $$$ H203 KM44-3 Tel: (0) 4289 9201, (0) 4289 9012 2.5 km Fax: (0) 4289 9200 sealed lane Huai Phai Falls • Phu Rua Resort $$ - $ $$ H203 KM47-6 Tel: (0) 4289 9048 = Hiking trail 4 km Checkpoint • Rai Waranya $$-$$$ H203 KM50-49 2kms on side road up to Phu Rua = Sealed access road National Park. Tel: (0) 4289 9020, (0) 4289 9166 H PHU RUA NATIONAL PARK Rai Waranya Resort to Loei • Rang Yen Resort $$ - $$$ H203 KM60-1 (south turn, follow signs on From Forestry Dept. map in park brochure PHU RUA sealed road 11 kms Tel: (0) 4289 1089, (0) 4289 1389 Fax: (0) 4289 Õ.¿Ÿ‡√◊Õ to Dan Sai 203 1423 Bkk Res: (0) 2318 8895-6 www.budget.co.th 7 DAN SAI SECTION 4 : 142 kms. PHITSANULOK
he recommended DAN SAI to PHITSANULOK 1047 1268 N T route climbs from 10kms Dan Sai over a north- 1163 Sirikhit Dam Ban Huai Mun south ridge before going
∫â“πÀâÕ¬¡ÿàπ R 1146 to Nakhon Thai and be- NAM PHAT 2102m 1045 yond to H12. H12 then 1106 Õ.πÈ”∫“¥ 1239 (Long distances L A O S descends down towards without fuel!) Phitsanulok, passing sev-
1564m 2195 eral points where the Khek ∫â“π√ࡇ°≈â“ ∫â“π∫àÕ‡À¡◊ÕßπâÕ¬ River tumbles over pic- 1047 1214 Ban Rom Klao Ban Bo Muang Noi to Uttaradit Ban Na Kha turesque falls and rapids. Na Haeo 1328 Ban Muang Phrae 2294 Õ.∑Õß· π¢—π National Park Phitsanulok is an im- 11 THUNG SAEN KHAN 1268 NA HAEO Ban Pak Man portant commercial cen- 1214 Õ.π“·Àâ« tre on the Nan River. Visit 1237 2113 2114 Wat Phra Si Rattana Maha- 1246 11 that, Thailand’s second 1249m most revered piligrimage site, and then enjoy Thai Ban Bong Khae Õ.™“µ‘µ√–°“√ CHATRAKAN 1468m 12 Õ.¥à“π´â“¬ food on floating restua- DAN SAI rants on the Nan River. 1296 2014 Ban Na Muang 2013 948m 60 kms to the west of 1248 the city, H12 reaches Sukhothai and a route to 1143 Õ.π§√‰∑¬ 203 both Sukhothai and Sri NAKHON THAI Satchanalai Historical to Sukhothai Historical Park (Budget World 2013 Class Drives Chiang Mai-Sukhothai Loop) Ban Huai Tin Tang Parks (For more informa- Õ.«—¥‚∫ ∂å Park HQ tion see our Chiang Mai- WAT BOT Wang Nam Yen Resort No fuel 80 kms! 2216 $$$ Km46. (0) 5529 3411-4 2331 Sukhothai Loop World 2013 Flagpole Cliff Hmong village Fax: (0) 5529 3415 Km120 ClassDrive). Bkk Res: (0) 2318 8956 Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park Õ.À≈ࡇ°à“ 11 LOM KAO Saphraiwan 1746m 2005 NW OF DAN SAI Ban Sap Phraiwan Grand 13 Ban Doi Nam Phiang Din (Hmong) Steep! 2372 Routes north-west of 12 (km15) Sopha Falls (km70) Ang Sila Garden 12 Kaeng Son Rapids 2011 2011 Dan Sai enter very pic- Lom Swiss Hill æ‘…≥ÿ‚≈° Park HQ Õ.À≈à¡ —° turesque territory, but Saengthawan Sakuno Imperial Phu Kaew LOM SAK PHITSANULOK (km28) Thung Salaeng Luang the mountain roads are Thaya Rainforest Resort National Park 15 Falls slow and there is no ac- Poi Falls (Km60, south Ban Huai Mak on lane 2 kms) 14 117 Flora Park commodation. 1063 16 Ban Thung Samo H1268 from Ban 1295 1003m Muang Phrae (35kms) Chuan Chom Resort 2196 passes Na Haeo National Sri Dit Falls 2325 KHAO KHO Õ.‡¢“§âÕ 1174m Park (55 kms) and Ban Park Ranger station Memorial Õ.‡π‘π¡–ª√“ß 21 Rom Klao (77 kms). The 11 NOEN MAPHRANG Ban Nong Mae Na latter is near the site of a Rim Doi 1114 2258 bloody dispute over log- to Kamphaeng Phet Palace ging concessions and 1350m 111 SAK LEK °‘Ëß Õ. “°‡À≈Á° frontier demarcation 115 ‡æ™√∫Ÿ√≥å with Laos in 1989. PHETCHABUN PHICHIT Distances from Dan æ‘®‘µ√ Sai on circular routes are as follows: H12 via
21 Chatrakan and Nakhon
2275 Thai (205 kms), Phitsa- nuloke via Chatrakan &
113 Oliver Hargreave Ban Bong Khae (250 kms), to Taphan Hin to In Buri, Bangkok to Taphan Hin to Saraburi, Bangkok Phu Rua via Na Haeo and H2294 (91 kms).
8 www.budget.co.th to Phrom Piram to Sukhothai 1086 ‰ª Õÿµ√¥‘µ∂å to Uttaradit ‰ª ÿ‚¢∑—¬ 12 ‰ª Õ.æ√À¡æ‘√“¡ 11 PHITSANULOK PLACES 12 A. Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat B. Ho Silapa Gallery, Naresuan University (City Campus) C. Sgt Major Tawee Folk Museum (08:30-16:30 closed Mon) ‰ª Õ.À≈à¡ —° Military D. Buddha Casting Factory to Lom Sak TAT, Phraya Surasi Rd. Tel: (0) 5525 2743 12 Railway Station PHITSANULOK Bus Station Post Office Singhawat Rd. Phitsanulok Bazaar (Night Entertainment) 12 117 S Superstore Provincial Hall One way all day 12 6 A one-way system applies during rush 5 hour 07:00-09:00 & 15:00-1730 A Wat Chulamani Airport 4 Ekathotsarot Rd. 12 3 3 to Bang Rakam . 1 d
R
n
a
h 4 Phra Ong Dam Rd.
C 8 g 2
117 n ‰ª π§√ «√√§å ‰ª Õ.∫“ß°√–∑ÿà¡ 3km a
to Nakhon Sawan to Bang Krathum W Bic C S 1 11 Naresuan Rd. Hotel Up-Market 7 10 1 Amarin Lagoon Resort $$-$$$, Praongkhao Rd. Tel: (0) 5522 0999 Fax: (0) 5522 0944 Bkk Res: (0) 2668 4277 2 Pailyn Hotel $$-$$$ Borom Trailokanat Rd. Tel: (0) 5525 2411-5, (0) 5522 5228-35 Fax: (0) 5525 8185. Bkk Res: (0) 2215 7110-2 9 3 Topland Hotel $$$, Ekathotsarot Rd. Tel: (0) 5524 7800 Fax: (0) 5524 7815 Bkk Res: (0) 2215 6108 2 Mid-Range 4 Golden Grand Hotel $$, Thamma Bucha Rd. Tel: (0) 5521 0234-7 Fax: (0) 5521 0887 B 5 La Paloma Hotel $$, Si Tham Traipidok Rd. Tel: (0) 5521 7934-6, Fax: (0) 5521 7935 Bkk Res: (0) 2251 1674 6 Nanchao Hotel $$, Borom Trailokanat Rd. Tel: (0) 5525 2510-4, (0) 5524 4702-5 Fax: (0) 5524 4794 6 N 7 Phitsanuloke Thani Hotel $$, Sanambin Rd Tel: (0) 5521 1065-69, Fax: (0) 5521 1071 Bkk Res: (0) 2318 9101-3 Borom Trailokanat Rd. 5 8 Rajapruk $$-$$$, Phra Ong Dam Rd, Tel: (0) 5521 2727-30, Fax: (0) 5525 1395, Bkk Res: (0) 2229 4496 C 500m 9 Thep Nakorn Hotel $$, Si Tham Traipidok Rd Tel: (0) 5524 4070-2, Fax: (0) 5525 1897 D
Si Tham Trai Pidok Rd. 7 City Hotels 13 Sanam Bin Rd. 10 Amarin Nakorn Hotel, Chaophraya Rd, Tel: (0) 5521 9069-78, Fax: (0) 5521 9500 R 11 U-Thong Hotel $, Phra Ong Dam Rd. Tel: (0) 5521 0424-7 Fax: (0) 5521 1003 12 Wang Kaew $, Theparak Rd, Tel: (0) 5524 5581-8, Fax: (0) 5524 5589 13 Youth Hostelling International $, Sanam Bin Rd, Tel: (0) 5524 2060
Restaurants 1. Khun Pu S Makro R 2. Ban Ton Mai Airport 3. Phae Fa Thai 4. Song Khwae Budget Rent a Car Office 5. Phae Nam Thong Tel: (0) 5525 8566 6. Riverside Mobile: (0) 1820 8644 7. Food night market Wat Chulamani Oliver Hargreave
12 POINTER TWELVE ALTERNATIVE ROUTE H2331 OVER (0) 1226 0726).
2113 PHU HIN RONG KLA (65 KMS BETWEEN Na Haeo 2013 Between KM25 and 30 signposts indi- Phu Rua CONNECTING ROADS). Nakhon Thai cate side trips to sights associated with the Phitsanulok From Dan Sai, the route over Phu Hin 2013 Communist Party of Thailand (CPT). To 2014 Rong Kla may be driven east to west by continue over the mountain turn right at T Lom Kao heading south on H203 and turning right junction after KM31, or go straight to visit H2013 junction with H2113 to Ban Wang Ban just after KM120 (no the Hmong village of Rong Kla. and H204 in Dan Sai English sign!). Or you may drive it from west to east as described here, perhaps on Little can be seen from the tree-lined 13 POINTER THIRTEEN an eastbound journey from Phitsanulok road as it winds over the summit — a 3.5ks Dan Sai (section 5). However, if it is rainy and the trail leads off to Man Daeng Falls at KM28 Nakhon Thai Alternative route Phu Hin Rongkla upper half of the mountain is shrouded in (distances are counted from junction with 2113 Khao Kho cloud, avoid this route (dangerous when H2372 on this part of the highway) —until 68 Lom Sak Khon Kaen 12 wet ). Allow a full day, especially if plan- the descent begins near the park check- Phitsanulok ning to walk to falls (Entry 05:00-20:00 point at KM17. Hmong hill tribe villages No fuel on this route!). are located on these upper eastern slopes. H2013 joins H12 at KM68. An The view is formidable, but be extremely east turn takes you to upland H2331 to Phu Hin Rong Kla starts from careful on the very steep switchbacks and resorts around Khao Kho. Go near KM5 on a spur of H2013, which by- broken up road surface between KM17&6! west (right turn) for passes east of Nakhon Thai. There are fine Phitsanulok views west as the road climbs to the H2331 joins H2372 which runs north via National Park Visitor Centre (Park accom- Ban Wang Ban to H203 KM120-1, or south modation suitable for family/group 500- to H12 KM126-7. See Section 5 for accom- 1200 bt. Local reservations (0) 5523 3527, modation.
www.budget.co.th 9 PHITSANULOK SECTION 5 : 128 kms. LOM SAK
rom Phitsanulok H12 climbs along the Khek Valley to KHAO KHO AREA Õ.À≈ࡇ°à“ F the Khao Lang Non Son Range, an area that was a once Ban Doi Nam Phiang Din (Hmong) 2372 LOM KAO Ang Sila Garden a communist stronghold. Alternative routes north (H2331 203
liver Hargreave Phu Hin Rongkla— see section 4 ) and south (H2196 to to Phitsanulok (section 4 map) O
Khao Kho & Phetchabun — Pointer 14) explore this terrain. 1 Park HQ Ban Huai Mak Nattirat Grand Lom Sak is a substantial district centre rivalling the pro- Imperial Phu Kaew 15 21 LOM SAKÕ.À≈à¡ —° vincial capital of Phetchabun. (NB. Statistically H12 is one Ban Camp Son Thung 14 2 of the most dangerous roads in Thailand!). Salaeng 3 Luang Khao Kho Flora Park National 16 Dan Sai Park Nakhon Thai 13 POINTER THIRTEEN Ban Thung Samo Alternative route Phu Hin Rongkla 4 Airport 5 2113 2275 Khao Kho H12 KM68 H2013 north to Nakhon Thai 6 68 Lom Sak 2196 Lom Swiss Hill Resort. $$$ 1 Tel: (0) 1227 4078 12 Khon Kaen — alternative route for Lom Sak via Sri Dit Falls Stupa 2325 Than Thip Falls Mountain Park Swiss Hill. Phitsanulok H2331 for Phu Hin Rongkla (108kms to Õ.‡¢“§âÕ 2 $$$. Tel: (0) 5675 0445-7 Khao Kho Memorial KHAO KHO H12 at KM126 — see section 4) 2323 Piamsuk Swiss Hill Park Weapons museum 3 $$-$$$. Tel: (0) 1826 8897 Ranger Stn. International Library 21 Chuan Chom Resort, 2196 4 $$-$$$. Tel: (0) 5670 2255 KM70-1 Kaeng Sopha falls (the Thung Salaeng Luang Ban Nong Mae Na Ruan Deum Khao Kho Resort National Park HQ and visitor centre is at KM78-9). Thung Khao Kho Open Zoo 7 5 $$$. Tel: (0) 1886 2956. Palace 2258 Salaeng Luang meadows themselves are accessible from a 6 Boonprakong $$ park sub-station near Nong Mae Na (H2258 KM38-9 north Tel: (0) 5670 9081 7 Ban Rim Doi. $$ turn 1.5kms) 203 to Lom Kao Tel: (0) 5656 0183 ‰ª Õ.À≈ࡇ°à“ ‰ª Õ.À≈ࡇ°à“ to Lom Kao N Frontage Rd. Lom Sak 14 POINTER FOURTEEN 2326 10kms Phitsa 12 nulok Frontage Rd. H12 KM100 H2196 alternative route to 2 011 ‡æ™√∫Ÿ√≥å 2196 PHETCHABUN R Khao Kho Khao Kho & Phetchabun (68 kms).
ALTERNATIVE ROUTE VIA KHAO KHO Lomsak Nattirat Grand Hotel $$ H2196 traverses a highland plateau famous for battles (0) 5674 5022-8 H 15 POINTER FIFTEEN between Thai government forces and the CPT. Sights in- Fax: (0) 5674 5029 N Alternative route clude a narrow road (H2323 one-way south to north only) Phu Hin that climbs to a rudimentary weapons museum (ex fire- Rong Kla 2372 Lom Sak base) and to a war memorial from where there is a 270˚ Õ.À≈à¡ —° 12 LOM SAK view. Other places to visit are the Royal Palace (grounds only), Khao Kho Open Zoo & Sri Dit Falls. Phetchabun is 2008 a small provincial capital with a pleasing older quarter. 21 to Phetchabun H12 KM126 junction with ‰ª ‡æ™√∫Ÿ√≥å H2372 to Ban Wang Ban Oliver Hargreave and alternative route H2331 PHETCHABUN 21 PLACES 1 Post Office over Phu Hin Rongkla CAT (telephone) Restaurants ‰ª Õ.À≈à¡ —° to Lom Sak Bus Station 1. Mu Jum S Topland (Dept Store) 2. Bua Sung Thong 2326 M Market 16 POINTER SIXTEEN Lom Sak H12 KM128 intersects with H21 Lom 21 Phitsanulok Sak bypass (no lights!)and at KM130 12 ‰ª ªÉ“·¥ß 3 Khon Kaen with H21 to Phetchabun(37kms) & to Pa Daeng Dam 2 S Oliver Hargreave Phetchabun Lom Sak (5 kms) 2006 2 Old quarter N ACCOMMODATION Phetcharoen Rd. 1km M • Rainforest Resort $$$. H12 KM44 Tel: (0) 5529 3085-6
R Fax: (0) 5529 3086. e-mail 10 ‡≈¬ LOM SAK to KHON KAEN LOEI 2352 2399 203 Õ.°ÿ¥®—∫ 2294 2138 NA KLANG Ban Na Dan Õÿ¥√∏“π’ NA HAEO PHU RUA Õ.π“¥«ß KUT CHAP 3 2312 Õ.π“·Àâ« Ban San Tom 2263 UDON THANI Õ.ÀπÕßÀ“√ Õ.¿Ÿ‡√◊Õ Loei Airport 2097 2263 NONG HAN 2113 2114 Tham Erawan (cave) 11 °‘ËßÕ.‡Õ√“«—≥ Huai Luang Dam 22 Õ.π“°≈“ß 2314 Ban Khok Ngam ERAWAN NA KLANG 210 2140 210 12 WANG SAPHUNG Wat Pa Ban That 2350 DAN SAI Õ.«—ß –æÿß 2140 Phu Luang 2313 Õ.¥à“π´â“¬ 2014 Wildlife ÀπÕß∫—«≈”¿Ÿ 2013 Ban Pong Chi Wat Tham Khlong Pen Sanctuary 2016 2250 NONG BUA LAMPHU 2 1571m °‘ËßÕ.ÀπÕßÀ‘π 2140 NONG WUA SO 2023 Õ.°ÿ¡¿«“ªï 203 Ban Tao Tat Õ.¿ŸÀ≈«ß NONG HIN Õ.ÀπÕß«—«´Õ NONG SAENG PHU LUANG Õ.ÀπÕß· ß KUMPHAWAPHI Ban Khok Nong Haeo 228 2025 2141 Ban Huai Peng Ban Kok Kathon Ban Sila 2016 Suan Hin Pha Ngam 2216 2146 2331 Ban Tat Kloi (no English signs!) SI BUN RUANG Õ.»√’∫ÿ≠‡√◊Õß Ban Wang Ban Tham Yai Nam Nao Park HQ 2005 Phu Kradung Õ.‚ππ –Õ“¥ Õ.À≈ࡇ°à“ 1150m 2372 LOM KAO Nam Nao National Park Õ.‚ππ —ß NONG SA-AT 2011 National Õ.¿Ÿ°√–¥÷ß NONG SANG Õ.Õÿ∫≈√—µπå 2 2216 PHU KRADUNG Imperial 15 Park Õ.πÈ”Àπ“« Õ.»√’™¡¿Ÿ 2133 UBOL RATANA Phu Kaew 21 Õ.À≈à¡ —° NAM NAO SI CHOMPHU Park HQ Õ.°√–π«π LOM SAK 12 Phu Phaman Õ.πÈ”æÕß Ban Camp Son Park HQ Phu Wiang KRANUAN National Park 228 National Park NAM PHONG 2109 2039 16 Õ.¿Ÿæ–·¡π 201 (Phetchabun Airport) Õ.¿Ÿ‡«’¬ß King Cobra Village Ban Thung Samo Saithong Falls PHU PHAMAN Park HQ PHU WIANG 18 1271m 17 Si Suphan Grand 21 19 2038 KHON SAN Õ.ÀπÕ߇√◊Õ ¢Õπ·°àπ Prathat Kham Kaen Rim Doi Chulaphon Dam Õ.§≈Õß “π Phu Wiang KHON KAEN Ban Nong Chum 2258 N CHUMPHAE Reclining Buddha NONG RUA Ban Thum 10kms Õ.®”ªï 201 12 2187 1 209 2055 2131 ‡æ™√∫Ÿ√≥å R Õ.¿Ÿ‡¢’¬« 230 PHETCHABUN PHU KHIEO 2062 liver Hargreave O Õ.æ√–¬◊π to Chaiyaphum PHRA YUN to Nakhon Ratchasima 12 to Khon Kaen follows a pretty route over a watershed NONG BUA LAMPHU Nong Bua Lamphu to Wang Saphung & Loei H straddled by the Nam Nao National Park. Beyond ‰ª Õ.«—ß –æÿß, ‡≈¬ Udon Thani 228 210 Pointer 18, however, the single road highway becomes in- Kinnaree Resort $ H 83 Khon Kaen Provincial Hall Loei 12 Lom Sak creasingly busy towards Chumphae (114kms) and Khon Kaen. 210 to Udon Thani CHUMPHAE For alternative routes to Udon Thani go on H2216 via ‰ª Õÿ¥√∏“π’ 201 Chaiyaphum Wang Saphung (250 kms — see section 3) or via Nong Bua town centre Lamphu on H228 from Chumphae (249 kms). 19 POINTER NINETEEN H12 KM82-3 H228 goes north NAM NAO NATIONAL PARK to Nong Bua Lamphu & Udon KM30 Entry checkpoint Thani (133kms) KM39 Pha Hong Viewpoint (300-500m) & Cave; KM45 viewpoint (100m), ‰ª Õ.»√’∫ÿ≠‡√◊Õß, ™ÿ¡·æ H12 KM77 North turn to KM49 Suan Son Dang Bak Viewpoint (4kms nature trail) Si Bun Ruang & Chumphae 1km 2146 Phu Wiang Reclining Buddha KM50 Park HQ (1.5kms), Visitor Centre & circular nature 228 to Nong Sang ‰ª Õ.‚ππ —ß (3kms) trails (for direct booking of park accommodation call (0) 5672 9002) H12 KM48 H2038 to Phu Wiang National Park (38 kms). KM67 Haew Sai & Saithong Falls (700m) A circular walk of approx. 5.5 kms begins at the visitor KM73 exit park at checkpoint. centre and passes 4 of 9 dinosaur excavation sites. 17 Nam Nao POINTER SEVENTEEN 2113 H12 KM73 H2216 north to Nam Nao— ACCOMMODATION 12 alternative route to/from H203 and to 73 • Lomsak Nattirat Grand Hotel 000 Lom Sak. Tel: (0) 5674 Tham Yai Nam Nao (see section 3) 5022-8 Fax: (0) 5674 5029 • Sri Suphan Grand Royal $ - $$$ . Chumphae. H228 (to Loei Phu Kradung 18 POINTER EIGHTEEN 95 Nong Bua Lamphu) KM86. 2 kms from intersection with 2113 H12 Tel: (0) 4338 1031-3 94 H12 KM102 (west of intersection) H201 Lom Sak 12 north to Phu Kradung and Loei (see Phitsanulok 102 Chumphae www.budget.co.th Khon Kaen section 2) 11 INSTRUCTIONS Go this way Highway Number umbered pointers listed in sequence in the direction of travel show im- 4 portant road junctions along the recommended route (reverse these if Pointer number N and direction 3 of travel travelling in the opposite direction). These are illustrated as follows. Kilometre references are noted in ACCOMMODATION NATIONAL PARKS two ways: There are many upland resorts which Visitor centres at park HQs should H12 KM13 = Highway 12 kilometre usually offer rooms with fan/air-con- have brochures with maps detailing stone 13 is close to the point of ditioning, fridge, TV and hot shower sights, though English language ver- focus in small chalets near a central restau- sions may not always be available. H12 KM98-9 = The point of focus lies rant. Those listed in the accommoda- There are board maps and walking between kilometre stones 98&99. tion sidebars in this guide offer year- trails are normally well-marked. Kilometre stones are usually found round service even during the green Park accommodation can be at 1 or 2 km intervals on most num- season (June-November) spartan, and is not set up for walk-in bered highways. Though names are In the high season — November trade unless you bring your own tent written in Thai, the highway number through April — advance booking is and food. Prior reservation from the (top front face of stone) confirms highly recommended, if not a must. Forestry Department in Bangkok is your route in the absence of English Advance booking is also advisable for essential in the season. Tel: (0) 2579 7223, (0) 2579 5734, (0) 2561 4292-4 signs. the best city accommodation during peak periods. ext. 724&725. Background shading indicates Credit cards are usually only ac- From August 2000 all foreigners are points of interest/ side trip/ alterna- cepted by larger resort/hotels, so travel to be charged 200 Bt./head entrance tive road along or off the recom- with enough cash baht to see you to fee, but it remains to be seen how mended route. the next ATM (at banks in main dis- rigorously this charge will be applied. ★ trict towns — amphoe ). The best ho- Hitherto charges were 40-50 Bt./vehicle Stars by highways indicates tel rooms in provincial cities usually and 20 Bt./head, as it is for Thai frequent rough patches where the cost 1000-1500 baht ( $$$), depend- citizens. sealed surface has buckled/potholed ing on season. and broken up. This is common in Isan. 1000 Baht up Be ready to slow right down frequently, 500-999 Baht avoid driving faster than 60 kph! less than 500 Baht 4 WD Only! If you are driving a vehicle that does not have four wheel drive, please do not take this road. When on a dirt road, please drive À¬ÿ¥ slowly to avoid mechanical problems and to keep the dust down when pass- À¬ÿ¥ µ√«® ing people and communities. Remember to always take drinking STOP NO PASSING STOP (POLICE) CHECK water - allow for emergencies. Make sure you have enough fuel before en- tering remote roads through mountain- ous areas. Help us get it right! If you have sug- gestions or wish to point out errors in this guide, please advise our staff. SLIPPERY ROAD STEEP HILL FALLING ROCKS (LAND SLIDE) INFORMATION ithin Design (053) 272221-2 greave ( Khon Kaen also provide very useful In the U.S.: (800) 527-0700 , Co Ltd. Graphics by W information and brochures. TAT office In Germany: 01805 244-388 locations are on the city maps. In Australia: 1-300 362-848 In Singapore: 532-4442 In Thailand: 1-800-BUDGET 12 (c) all rights reserved. Compiled by Oliver Har for WorldClass Rent A Car for WorldClass Budget WorldClass Drives PATTAYA AND THE EASTERN GULF OF THAILAND √–·°â« BANG NAM PRIED Õ.æπ¡ “√§“¡ 319 348 PHANOM SARAKHAM SA KAEO Õ.«—≤π“π§√ BANGKOK Õ.∫“ßπÈ”‡ª√’Ȭ« 304 Õ.∫“ߧ≈â“ BANG KHLA WATTHANA NAKHON 3245 33 3121 9 CHACHOENGSAO 304 Õ. π“¡™—¬‡¢µ Õ.‡¢“©°√√®å ARANYAPRATHET International Border Oliver Hargreave ©–‡™‘߇∑√“ 304 KHA0 CHAKAN Õ.Õ√—≠ª√–‡∑» 7 SANAMCHAI KHET Crossing & Border Market 3268 BANG BO Õ.∫â“π‚æ∏‘Ï 34 BAN PHO BANG PHLI Õ.∫“ß∫àÕ PLAENG YAO N Õ.∫“ßæ≈’ Õ.·ª≈߬“« 3395 Õ.æ“π∑Õß ∑à“µ–‡°’¬∫ 3 PHAN THONG 3434 Õ.§≈ÕßÀ“¥ 3259 THA TAKIAP Õ.∫“ߪ–°ß BANG PHANAT NIKHOM 3067 KHLONG HAT PAKONG 3259 0 20km ™≈∫ÿ√’ Õ.æπ— π‘§¡ WANG SOMBUN CHONBURI 349 331 Nong Khok Õ.«—ß ¡∫Ÿ√≥å 344 3245 BANG SAEN 3340 Õ.∫àÕ∑Õß G U L F BAN BUNG ∫.∑ÿàߢπ“π ∫“ß· π Õ.∫â“π∫÷ß 3401 BO THONG Thung Khanan Õ.»√’√“™“ O F SI RACHA Õ.ÀπÕß„À≠à Õ. Õ¬¥“« NONG YAI SOI DAO 3406 C A M B O D I A 3 T H A I L A N D 3138 3245 Tel: (0) 3895 4352 Local border crossing 7 Soi Dao Falls 344 317 Õ.∫“ß≈–¡ÿß 2 Bo Win Õ.ª≈«°·¥ß Khao Chamao Falls BAN LAMUNG PLUAK DAENG Khlong Pong Nam Ron Rafting Ko Lan Krathing 1 Khao Wong PONG NAM RON Local border crossing 3191 WANG CHAN 3377 Õ.‚ªÉßπÈ”√âÕπ Pattaya City 3 36 3471 «—ß®—π∑√å Õ.∫â“π©“ß Õ.∫â“π§à“¬ Õ.·°≈ß Khiritan Dam 3143 KLAENG BAN CHANG BAN KHAI 4 3 3138 3220 Tel: (0) 3871 0717-8 3143 MAKHAM Ko Khram √–¬Õß Õ.¡–¢“¡ Ban Noen RAYONG ®—π∑∫ÿ√’ Tak Daet SATTAHIP 3 Ban Phe Laem Õ.∑à“„À¡à Õ. —µÀ’∫ Hat Phayun ∫.‡æ Mae Phim CHANTABURI Laem Ya THA MAI 5 3157 BO RAI Ko Samae San Laem Charoen Ko Samet 3 Trok Nong Falls 3388 Õ.∫àÕ‰√à Hat Chao Lao Phliu Falls Uttapao ∫.¥à“π™ÿ¡æ≈ LAEM SINGH Dan Chomphu International Õ.·À≈¡ ‘ßÀå KHLUNG 3159 Airport Õ.¢≈ÿß 3157 317 3 µ√“¥ ROADS IN THAILAND G U L F O F T H A I L A N D TRAT All main and most minor roads are sealed. Signs and reflective Õ.·À≈¡ßÕ∫ 3148 markers warn of hazards on major highways, and sodium lighting LAEM NGOP illuminates major intersections. Bilingual (English/Thai) road signs KO CHANG Hat Sai Khao ‡°“–™â“ß 318 indicate destinations, highway numbers and distances before and Laem Sok after intersections. Ao Khlong Phrao Kilometre stones show highway number and distance along Ao Salak Petch Khao Lan the road on the front face, and distances to destinations in the Ko Rang Ko Mai Si Yai direction of travel on the side. The police and military set up road Ko Wai check-points on highways, especially at night, but there are no Ko Mak security problems. Hat Ban Chuan KHLONG YAI Please remember to drive on the left! Õ.§≈Õß„À≠à General & Emergency Assistance 1-800-BUDGET (land-line), Ban Hat Lek 1-401-BUDGET (mobile) Ko Kut International Border Crossing Online Bookings: Our fastest way to rent a car www.budget.co.th Laem Ya and Laem Phim. Section 4 continues east from hether pristine sandy beaches guide you to nearby inland attractions. Klaeng to the historical provincial W on idyllic islands or quiet Section 2 highlights outstanding family capital of Chantaburi. Section 5 covers historical enclaves inland, this route attractions found north of Pattaya on the well-known resort island of Ko along Thailand’s eastern seaboard on the road to Chonburi and Bangkok. Chang, as well as a scenic inland route the Gulf of Siam has it all. Ban Phe, a coastal fishing port through mountainous country around Starting from Pattaya, Section 1 of which serves the resort island of Ko Khao Soi Dao, and the route east from this drive will help you find the nicest Samet, is the starting point for section Trat to the international border crossing beaches with the best seafood and will 3, which goes east following the sandy into Cambodia at Hat Lek. beaches between the headlands of www.budget.co.th 1 R PATTAYA CITY SECTION 1 : 000 kms. AND ENVIRONS atersports, motor sports, exotic 2 POINTER TWO CHONBURI PATTAYA 331 zoos and gardens, inland ∫.Õà“ß»‘≈“ ™≈∫ÿ√’ 344 349 W The traffic circle joining Ang Sila Õ.∫â“π∫÷ß adventures, 17 competition class golf G U L F North Pattaya (Pattaya Nua) BANG SAEN BAN BUNG courses within an hour’s drive and a O F ∫“ß· π Rd., Beach Rd.(Pattaya 1), beat that pulses through the night till T H A I L A N D Khao Kheow Pattaya Road 2, and the road Zoo 3138 Noble Pl. dawn — Pattaya has so much to offer N Õ.»√’√“™“ to Naklua. SI RACHA for all the family. So when the pace Chonburi 3421 Century gets too hectic, laze sublime and let 3 3 POINTER THREE 0 10km Treasure Hill Pattaya put life in the pink. Si Racha Laem Laem Chabang 3245 The heart of the city lies in South The junction of Central Chabang 7 Pattaya at the southern end of Ao Pattaya Rd and the 7 Burapha Õ.∫“ß≈–¡ÿß 8 Pattaya (Pattaya Bay). Once a fishing Sukhumwit Highway (H3), BAN LAMUNG Õ.ª≈«°·¥ß near KM146 PLUAK DAENG village, this was the first area to become Pattaya City Pattaya CC an entertainment centre. Since then Siam CC 3191 Ko Lan 36 Great Lake hotels and entertainment centres have 4 POINTER FOUR 331 spread north, south and inland. The intersection of 3376 Green Valley Phoenix 3143 Central Pattaya Rd. and Pattaya Around St Andrew's PATTAYA’S ROAD SYSTEM 3 BAN CHANG BAN KHAI Pattaya 2 Rd. Õ.∫â“π©“ß Õ.∫â“π§à“¬ 1 POINTER ONE 5 POINTER FIVE Ko Khram Map Ta Phut RAYONG SATTAHIP Uttapao √–¬Õß The T junction of North Pattaya Rd. The intersection of Õ. —µÀ’∫ International Airport (Pattaya Nua) with Highway 3, the South Pattaya Rd. and Oliver Hargreave Ko Samae San Laem Charoen Sukhumwit Rd. near KM144 Pattaya 2 Rd. POINTER SIX PATTAYA CITY 6 The junction of Thep Prasit Road Thip Plaza Naklua Market to Jomtien with the Sukhumwit Rd. Pattaya 1 & 2 Rd. Sanctuary of Truth (H3) near KM148. Tel: (0) 3871 0717-8 A To reach the Budget Office at Thip Plaza by car from the north, drive (one-way) south on Beach Road from Pointer 2 3240 Pattaya’s prime beach along Ao or 4. To get to Thip Plaza from the south, drive (one-way) 3 north on Beach 2 Road from Pointer 5 Pattaya is served by Beach Road Naklua Rd (Pattaya 1 Rd.), a one-way road north to south along the beachfront that . Siam 2 143 d begins at Pointer 2. North Pattaya Rd R Bayview Pattaya Nua ch Dusit Resort ea Narisa (North Pattaya Rd) Sukhumwit Highway. (running west from Pointer 1) is the Natural Beach B Soi 10 Amari Orchid H Resort Tipp Plaza H City 1 first of three link roads (North Pattaya Nautical Inn Soi 1 Hall H C Rd, Central Pattaya Rd. and South Soi 11 Mark Land Hotel Mini Montien Pattaya Siam Mike Shopping Pattaya Rd.) which join Beach Road Green Bottle Hotel Pattaya 2 Mall Pattaya 3 Beach Rd with the Sukhumwit Highway between . 2 Diana Inn Pattaya Klang Rd Soi 7 H a Pattaya Beach (Central Pattaya Rd)145 ay Soi 13 Chonburi and Sattahip.These roads tt Pa Soi 11 Bavaria House 2 Soi Post Office 4 cross Pattaya 2 Rd.— a one-way road Royal Garden from south to north between pointers D Ripley's 3 Plaza Pattaya Land South 5 and 4 — and Pattaya 3 Rd. Royal Cliff Beach Pattaya H Pattaya Tai N Wat Khao Phra Bat 5 (South Pattaya Rd) ATTRACTIONS IN AND 147 Royal Varuna TAT (tourist information) NEAR PATTAYA Yacht Club Wat Phra Yai . d R a 0 2 km y a 6 Family attractions in Pattaya's r h p p Thep Prasit Rd residential hinterland east of the a Pattaya Park T Mall Tower G Sukhumwit Highway (H3) are most Tesco K Lotus easily reached by taking H3240 from Pattaya Kart 149 near KM142, or from along a road Nightlife Centre Bungee Jump 3 A Paintball Listed Attraction Oliver Hargreave signposted to the Siam Country Club Jomtien Beach which goes east from the Sukhumwit 2 www.budget.co.th Highway from approximately 800m Adventure AROUND PATTAYA 7 to Si Racha To Motorway & Bangkok north of Pointer 3. water sports 137 Si Racha Tiger Zoo Before going to any of these include ∫“ß≈–¡ÿß Tel: (0) 3829 6556-8 attractions, be sure to contact our Lakeland Water BANG LAMUNG Khao Kheow Open Zoo 7 Tel: (0) 3829 8188 Pattaya Office to take advantage of any Cable Ski (L) Naklua Market A discounts available to Budget and the Blue 8 Pattaya Nua B Million Years customers (regular entry prices from Lagoon Water Stone Park 3240 Pattaya City City Pattaya 2 200 to 500 baht per adult according to 1 Sports Club Pattaya Klang C Wannasin 3240 Bira attraction). 145 J (M Wind and Pattaya Tai E Farm Circuit Wat Nong Pru 36 Kitesurf - turn 14 D Wat F 108 A. The Sanctuary of Truth — art 3 Sutthawat Siam west off Su- Elephant TAT 6 G Country Club objects in a fantastic eleven storey 'Three khumwit Rd Wat Phra Yai Village Wat Khao Soi Thong 17 Headed Elephant Art Museum' (08:00- H Pattaya between KM155 I Country Club K Three Kingdoms 17:00/20:00 according to season daily) and and 156). For Hat Chom Tian 'special dolphin show' at 09:00, 11:00, (Jomtien Beach) L to Rayong the Pattaya 151 13:00, 15:00. The Sanctuary of Truth has Wat Mai Hat been built by the same organisation that Shooting Club Krathung Thong turn east (in- 114 created the Ancient City — muang 153 boran— a must see attraction near land) from the Seafood 154 Jomtien Yacht Club Asian University of Science Bangkok (see section 2) Sukhumwit and Technology B. Million Years Stone Park — a 40 Road between Blue Lagoon M 117 Ambassador City acre landscaped park with a botanical KM153&154. 3 garden, fossilized plants, rare animals and Ocean Marina N 158 120 a crocodile farm (09:00-18:00 hrs) Golf Courses Ban Amphoe Phoenix Golf C. Mini Siam - Famous places of (seafood) & Country Club Pattaya is Thailand and the world at one twenty- 160 Nong Nooch Wat Yang Sang Wararam perfectly Tropical Garden fifth scale, as well as go-karting (07:00- 0 4 km 22:00 hrs. Tel: (0) 3842 1628) located to take Vihara Sien 331 D. Ripley’s Believe it or Not — Curios advantage of 163 Khao Din (Buddha footprint) Ban Sarae and illusions from the masters of make- the many Golf (seafood) 3 believe in the Royal Garden Plaza and Country Khao Chi Chan Buddha Image Shopping Mall between Beach and Clubs beween to Sattahip to Sattahip Oliver Hargreave Pattaya 2 Roads Chonburi and Traffic lights E Wannasin Farm E. Wannasin Farm — demonstrations Rayong. Clubs temple F Phanarak Park of traditional Thai culture and lifestyles A Sanctuary of Truth G Pattaya Elephant Village welcome non- B Million Years Stone Park H Pattaya Kart, Bungee Jump, Paintball include a floating market (09:00-18:00 C Mini Siam I Horeshoe Point & Three Kingdoms Theme Park closed Tuesdays) members and D Ripley's Believe It or Not J Bira Circuit (motor racing) F. Phanarak Park — a quiet resort have equipment with gardens and fish ponds ideal for for hire, but it is recommended that Ban Sarae (H3 KM164 west turn). tranquil retreat you call first to book your round and Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, a G. Pattaya Elephant Village — accommodation if so desired. Signs on resort with restaurants, a mini zoo, Elephant riding the nearest turn-off from a main culture hall and handicraft centre, H. Pattaya Park Tower — an express highway usually point out the route children’s playground and elephants lift takes you to a high viewing platform along minor side roads to the course (showtimes 10:15, 15:00 and 15:45) is offering stunning views followed by a itself. located inland down a side-road east descent by gondola or harness down cableways (Tel: (0) 3825 1201-8. from the Sukhumwit Highway at I. Horseshoe Point & Three Golf Clubs Around Pattaya KM.163 Kingdoms Theme Park — a resort and Pattaya Country Club, H331 KM107 country club with horse riding facilities Tel: (0) 3842 3718-9, BKK (0) 2541 4994-7 Wat Yang Sang Wararam and Khao and a mausoleum park honouring the Phoenix Golf & Country Club Chee Chan Chinese heritage of businessman Kiarti H3 KM158 Tel: (0) 3823 9391-6, A road inland from near KM161 Srifuengfung. Fax: (0) 3823 9402 goes to Wat Yang Sang Wararam. A Siam Country Club Golf Course royal temple of the first class, Wat Yang H3 KM145 Tel: (0) 3824 9381-6, Sports Near Pattaya has large grounds containing a hill-top Fax: (0) 3824 9387, BKK (0) 2215 3334 International class motor racing can mondop with a Buddha footprint (Khao Din), a large chedi and several be enjoyed as a spectator sport at the South of Pattaya Bira Circuit (J. H36 KM12 off the international pavilions. The Vihara Hat Chomthian is the first of several westbound lane), but for hands on Sien, a Chinese-style vihara which beaches between inlets fed by small experience, two go kart circuits are houses Tang dynasty bronzes, and the rivers that together follow the coastline found along Thep Prasit Road (West of Khao Chee Chan Budda image, a 130 in a lazy arc southwards to Sattahip. Sukhumwit Rd at the lights near KM148). metre tall image carved into a rockface, Fishing villages along the 18 kilometre One of these, Pattaya Kart (K) also offers are found a short distance from bay have become prime locations for Bungee Jumping and Paintball). Horse Wat Yang. seafood restaurants. These are found at riding can be enjoyed at Horseshoe Ban Amphoe (H3 KM158 west turn) and Point (I). www.budget.co.th 3 R NORTH FROM PATTAYA SECTION 2 : 140 kms. TOWARDS BANGKOK he town of Si Racha and the island 9 BANG NAM PRIEO PATTAYA to BANGKOK 3481 T of Si Chang remain interesting Õ.∫“ßπÈ”‡ª√’Ȭ« places to visit despite the industrial MIN BURI 3200 development along the coastline Õ.¡’π∫ÿ√’ President CC Õ.∫“ß°–ªî 304 around Laem Chabang. Heavy traffic BANG KAPI 3119 may be expected on the coastal BANGKOK Õ.≈“¥°√–∫—ß Sukhumwit Road (H3). LAT KRABANG If you wish to make a fast journey 9 3256 Royal G&CC CHACHOENGSAO Motorway (toll) 314 ©–‡™‘߇∑√“ to or from Bangkok, H7 and H34 Windmill Pk (projected) 304 3344 Thana City (elevated tollway) or the Bangkok Lakewood ¡ÿ∑√ª√“°“√ Muang Kaew Subhaphruek Chonburi Motorway (H7) are the best Elevated Tollway 7 314 SAMUT PRAKAN Green V Kiarti Thani Thai CC Bang Pakong routes to take. H3 itself follows its BANG PHLI 3268 BAN PHO Õ.∫“ßæ≈’ Bangphli Wellgrow 315 original coastal route towards Bangkok Bangpoo IE 34 Õ.∫â“π‚æ∏‘Ï & CC BANG BO and is of limited interest apart from the Õ.∫“ß∫àÕ Vintage Õ.∫“ߪ–°ß prime near-Bangkok attractions of the 3117 BANG PAKONG Crocodile Ancient City (muang boran) and the Õ.æ“π∑Õß Farm Crocodile Farm in Samut Prakan Muang Boran 3 7 PHAN THONG Province. Royal 3466 Lakeside Amata 315 7 POINTER SEVEN Nikhom 3 The junction of H36 and the ™≈∫ÿ√’ CHONBURI Sukhumwit Highway at KM 137. H36 Ang Sila is a convenient cross country route that G U L F O F T H A I L A N D Pattaya of North 344 Õ.∫â“π∫÷ß BAN BUNG skirts the industrial areas around MotorwaySaithip Rayong and is the fastest way to Ban BANG SAEN Butterfly Gdn 3138 Phe (section 3), Chantaburi (section 4 ∫“ß· π 3144 Chan Ta and Trat (section 5). It is also the best Then Khao Kheow route to the faster inland route north Zoo to Bangkok on H7. Õ.»√’√“™“ 7 Khao Kheow CC SI RACHA Si Racha 8 POINTER EIGHT Ko Si Chang Tiger Zoo Tel: (0) 3895 4352 H 7 terminates at looped T junction 3 Pinthong Bo Win Si Racha Office with H36 near KM6. H7 leads to the Int. Laem Bangkok-Chonburi Motorway (toll- N Chabang Chonburi IE road), or via a spur of H3 to H34 and Burapha ESIE Laem the 50 kilometre long elevated tollway 7 Chabang Õ.∫“ß≈–¡ÿß 331 SEIP above H34. If using H34 to approach 0 10 20 kms BAN LAMUNG Bangkok, expect traffic queues at Bang 8 Amata City Na near the the start of the expressway Tel: (0) 3871 0717-8 Siam CC system. H7 is likely to be the faster Pattaya City 1 Pattaya CC Ko Lan 6 liver Hargreave route into Central Bangkok in O 36 conditions of heavy traffic. It is also a better route to take for the airport. (Distances are one-way from Pointer 1) taxis can be hired from the fishing port travelling northbound, turn onto the to see a Chinese temple and the ruins frontage road north of KM23 and then Si Racha and Si Chang Island of a palace abandoned when the turn left at the bridge. Make a U-turn (Ko Si Chang) 25kms French occupied the island in 1893. at the first possible convenience to Drive north from Pointer 1 on H3 The last ferry from the island returns come back over the bridge and drive until you reach Si Racha at KM119, to the mainland at 17:00 hrs. east approximately 2 kms to the where you turn west. Passenger ferries entrance to the Si Racha Tiger Zoo depart hourly from the pier near Soi Si Racha Tiger & Khao Kheow Open (08:30-18:00 hrs shows hourly Tel: (0) 14 on a pleasant 45 minute trip to the Zoo 45 kms 3829 6556-8). A visit to the Tiger Zoo historical island of Si Chang. Once you Take H7 north from Pointer 8 (at fits well with a visit to the larger Khao have landed on the island, motorcycle KM41) to the Si Racha Tiger Zoo (If Kheow Open Zoo, the best of the 4 www.budget.co.th to Bangkok zoological attractions in NORTH OF PATTAYA via H34 SI RACHA to Chonburi 3 315 Chonburi Province. Khao Kheow Zoo has over 300 N 3 ™≈∫ÿ√’ species in a 2000 acre CHONBURI Motorway drive-through park (Hrs. 500 m Ang Sila Bypass 07:30-18:00. Tel: (0) 344 3829 8188. Map avai- seafood 7 to Klaeng & lable at zoo office) . District office Chantaburi Ko Loi Khao Sam Muk To go to Khao Kheow, Wat Saen Suk 3 (Viewpoint) 78 Saithong Nong Mon Butterfly Gdn. you must similarly turn Hat Bang Saen Market left and then double back Ferries to Ko Si Chang Inst. of Marine Science Chan Ta over the bridge if travel- Robinson Department Store Then 14 (Burapha University) Natural Sea Side Park Hill Khao Kheow ling northbound on H7 at 3241 Natural Park Open Zoo KM14 or at KM10. The 18 3144 latter road (H3144) also Ban Bang Phra 112 Khao Kheow Golf Municipal office Bangpra leads past the Saithip (Viewpoint) seafood Butterfly Garden (08:30- 14 17:00 hrs. Tel: (0) 3829 Oliver Hargreave »√’√“™“ 8330) and the small Chan to Pattaya 7 SI RACHA Ta Ten Falls. seafood 3241 Si Racha 21 Tiger Zoo to Bangkok. Saha Bang Saen, Khao Sam The Institute of Marine Science (hrs Group IP 3 Muk & Ang Sila 50kms 08:30-16:30 closed Mondays) has a Bang Saen is 39kms north large aquarium open to the public. It Pinthong Ind.Est. Si Racha from Pointer 1 on H3. is found on the south (left) side of the Before the turn off (at road heading west towards Bang Saen Laem Chabang Ind. Estate & Zone KM104 signposted Bura- Beach. Wat Saen Suk, on a lane running pha University and Bang east from the inland road (H3137) N 3 Burapha Saen Beach), the road running parallel to the beach road 7 passes through Nong along Bang Saen, contains Buddhist 0 4 km 95 Laem Chabang Mon Market, a market sculptures fashioned in a Chinese selling dried seafood theme-park style. 7 331 products which are popu- Seafood restaurants ring Khao Sam 36 Oliver Hargreave to Pattaya to Rayong & Pattaya to Sattahip lar with Thais returning Muk, a promontory inhabited by monkeys. Oyster beds and restaurants GOLF COURSES NORTH IN THE GOLF COURSES BETWEEN line Sila beach to the north. Apart from CHON-BURI - PATTAYA AREA CHONBURI & BANGKOK a large Chinese temple by the highway, Bangpra International Golf Club Bang Pakong Riverside Country Club Ang Sila is famed for its stone carvings H3144 KM10 Tel: (0) 3834 1149-50, H314 KM8 Tel: (0) 3851 3523, and has an interesting highstreet Fax: (0) 3834 1151 Fax: (0) 3851 3526 (one-way street off H3144 from where Rsvn BKK (0) 2285 0670-2, Bangpoo Country Club H3 KM37 Tel: (0) 2324 0320-9, Fax: (0) 2324 0330, the highway turns sharply inland). Burapha Golf Club H7 KM31 H7 KM31 Rsvn: (0) 2324 0320-9 Tel: (0) 3834 5151-2, Fax: (0) 3834 5153 Green Valley Country Club H34 KM19 Muang Boran 105 kms Chonburi Century Country Club Tel: (0) 2312 5883-9, Fax: (0) 2312 5890 Located at KM33 (from Bangkok) H331 KM72 Tel: (0) 1905 7697, (0) 1304 1545 Kiarti Thanee Country Club H34 KM30 Khao Kheow Country Club Tel: (0) 2707 1700-9, Fax (0) 2707 1710-1 on the Sukhumwit Highway, Muang H7 KM14 Tel: (0) 3829 8224-6, Rsvn: (0) 2707 1700 Ext. 201 Boran is a historical park quite unlike Fax: (0) 3829 8226 Lakewood Country Club H34 KM18 anything else in the kingdom (Hrs. Laem Chabang International Country Club Tel: (0) 2312 6278-86, 08:00; last entry 17:00, closes 18:00). H7 KM31 Tel: (0) 3837 2273, Fax: (0) 2321 6270 Rsvn: (0) 2312 6276-77 Muang Kaew Golf Course H34 KM7 The 320 acre drive through park Fax: (0) 3837 2275 Tel: (0) 2316 3918-21, Fax: (0) 2316 3922 contains over 100 monuments ranging Natural Park Hill Resort Country Club Royal Golf & Country Club H7 KM21 from life-sized or reduced replicas to H3144 KM7 Tel: (0) 3839 3001-8, Tel: (0) 2738 0133-7, Fax: (0) 2738 0138 Fax: (0) 3839 3019 BKK (0) 2914 1930-6 Royal Lakeside Golf Club H3 KM51 reconstructed originals of Thailand’s Natural Park Resort Country Club Tel: (0) 3857 3275-9, Fax: (0) 3857 3281 historical buildings. Bilingual expla- H3 KM109 Tel: (0) 3834 9370-81, Subhaphruek Golf Course H34 KM26 nations are given at all points in this Fax: (0) 3834 9365 Tel: (0) 2317-0801-4, Fax: (0) 2317 0805 unmatched attraction. Thai Country Club H3 KM35 Noble Place Golf Resort & Country Club If travelling along this section of H33 KM 71 Tel: (0) 1484 9069, Tel: (0) 3857 0234-46, Fax: (0) 3857 0225, H3 from Bangkok, the extraordinary Fax: (0) 1212 9327 BKK (0) 2231 5859-60 BKK Tel: (0) 2651 5300-6 Thana City H34 KM14 Sriracha International Golf Club Erawan shrine at KM22, the Crocodile Tel: (0) 2336 1968-78 Ext 543, Farm (Turning at KM29.) and Wat H3241 KM12 Tel: (0) 3833 8375-8, Fax: (0) 2336 1979 Fax: (0) 3833 8379 The Vintage Club H34 KM27 Asokaram (turning at KM31) are Treasure Hill Golf & Country Club Tel: (0) 2707 3820-6, Fax: (0) 2707 3829 additional points of interest. H331 KM76 Tel: (0) 3842 0766 Windmill Park Country Club H34 KM10 BKK Tel: (0) 2295 0856-7 Tel: (0) 2316 9591, Fax: (0) 316 8256 www.budget.co.th 5 R PATTAYA SECTION 3 : 97 kms. BAN PHE AND KLAENG 7 to Bangkok to Chonburi PATTAYA to KLAENG 7 8 Amata City 344 BAN LAMUNG Õ.ª≈«°·¥ß Õ.∫“ß≈–¡ÿß PLUAK DAENG Ko Lan 1 Pattaya City Pattaya CC 3191 6 Siam CC WANG CHAN Chom Thian Great Lake «—ß®—π∑√å Rojana IP 331 36 3471 3 3143 Rayong Ind. Land 3138 3377 Phoenix 3376 3191 Green Valley Õ.·°≈ß St. Andrews KLAENG Rayong IP BAN KHAI Rayong Century Suphatra 10 Õ.∫â“π©“ß 3 Land (fruit BAN CHANG garden) 31 3220 Ko Khram 332 3161 3 TAT (tourist information) 3163 Phutaluang Eastern Star Talat Tapong (0) 3865 5420-1 H Phayun Map Ta Phut Tapong Sunthon Phu RAYONG 9 N √–¬Õß 3192 3145 SATTAHIP Rayong 3 Õ. —µÀ’∫ Uttapao TPP International Airport Purimas Mae Ram Phung Laem Mae Phim Beach Hotel Ban Phe ∫.‡æ 0 10 kms Laem Ya Ko Samae San Ko Samet Laem Ya to Klaeng to Ya Laem Oliver Hargreave 36 (from Pointer 7) is the best RAYONG to Pattaya H route east from Pattaya. Though Rayong City has some old temples and 3138 good seafood restaurants on Laem Charoen (south turn in the middle of Laem Thong 6 Golden Rayong City at KM220 — see map 9; Shopping Arcade Rayong Star to Map Ta Phut, City City selected accommodation is listed below Sattahip market 3139 and on the maps), it is better to avoid H H this industrialised area. This section 3 Wat Pu Pradu covers the coast east of Laem Ya, where H H Saeng Chan Rd. mrung resorts take advantage of unspoiled Seaview Rasadonba Rayong H beaches east to Laem Mae Phim. PMY Yindee Orchid Provincial 3 Hall H H Chedi Klang Nam 9 POINTER NINE N Hat Saeng Chan to Ban Phe Turn south here for H3140 to Ban Fishing Harbour 3 3 km Phe and Ko Samet and the coastal route H3145 east to Laem Mae Phim. Laem Charoen Seafood TPP Refineries 10 POINTER TEN H344 is the fastest route to Bangkok from all points east of Klaeng • Rayong City Hotel. 11 Ratbamrung Rd. Ban Phe & Ko Samet. Soi 4 Noenpra, Rayong 21000. Tel: (0) Turn south at Pointer 9 to go to the 3861 6838-9, Fax: (0) 3861 3497 $ ACCOMMODATION market centre of Ban Phe, a fishing port • Purimas Beach Resort. 34 Mu 4 Phayun- with an attractive narrow high street Namrin Rd., Ban Chang, Rayong 21130. Sattahip to Rayong (one-way traffic east to west) lined with Tel: (0) 3863 0382-90, Fax: (0) 3863 shops in wooden buildings. • P.M.Y Beach Resort. 147/394 Mu 2 Beach 0380. $$ - $$$ (Hat Phayun — Rd., Rayong 2100 Tel: (0) 3861 4855, Phayun Beach) Mu Ko Samet Laem Ya National Fax: (0) 3861 4887 $$ (Hat Saeng • Star Hotel. 109 Rayong Trade Centre, Park offers a nature trail near the park Chan — Saeng Chan Beach) Rayong 21000 Tel: (0) 3861 4901-7, HQ on the mainland, but the main 6 Fax: 3861 4608 $ - $$$ www.budget.co.th BAN PHE & KO SAMET to Klaeng & Chantaburi boat transport directly H3145 & H3161 Ban Phe - Laem 9 to the beach you plan Mae Phim & Klaeng 40kms 3 to stay on. Advance H3145 is a pleasant route linking to Rayong 3300 to Laem Mae Phim booking may not be several resorts that take advantage of Sawet Sobha Museum necessary during the the long sandy beaches between Laem Nuanthip Pier H 3145 3140 Pines Beach $$-$$$ week, but the island gets Ya and Laem Mae Phim. Numerous Ao Phrao Tel: (0) 3865 1636-40 P Resort Pier P P Fax: (0) 3865 1641 crowded at weekends seafood restaurants are located at Laem Tourist Information during the peak season. Mae Phim. Ban Talat Phe Centre Pier market P R e d u c t i o n 3 k m s. H3161 goes to Klaeng from Laem Sri Ban Phe Pier ACCOMMODATION Mae Phim, skirting a flat landscape to the east consisting of villages, prawn Ban Pak Khlong Phe Samet Island farms and mangrove swamp typical of Khao Laem Ya • Ao Phrao Resort (Ao Mu Ko Samet river estuaries on this coast. The road National Park HQ Ban Ko Samet Phrao) 292 Mu 2, Phe, passes a park celebrating Thailand’s KO SAMET Rayong 21160 Tel: (0) Ao Phrao classical 19th century poet, Sunthorn H Ao Phrao Resort H Coconut House 3865 1134-5, Fax: (0) H Sai Kaeo Beach Phu, 3 kms north of Laem Mae Phim. H Hat Sai Kaeo 38651952 $$ - $$$$ Rayong H Ao Phai • Sai Kaew Beach Resort A side road next to the park gives Resort Samed Villa H (Hat Sai Kaew) Ko access to the estuary to the east. Laem Ya Tubtim Resort Malibu H Ao Wong Duan Samet, Phe, Rayong Vong Duan Villa H 21160. Tel: (0) 1239 Candle Light Beach H ACCOMMODATION Ao Thian 0208 $ - $$ • Samed Villa (Ao Phai) 89 Laem Ya-Laem Mae Phim Samed Ville Resort Ao Wai Mu 4, Phe, Rayong • Rayong Resort. 186 Mu 1, Phe, Rayong 21160. Tel: (0) 1494 21160. Tel: (0) 3865 1000-6, Fax: (0) N 8090, (0) 1239 0223, 3865 1007 $$$ - $$$$ Fax: (0) 1239 0203 $ • Rayong Chalet 4/32 Mu 3, Chak Pong, Ao Kiu • Tubtim Bungalows (Ao Klaeng, Rayong 21190. Tel: (0) 3864 2 kms Park Station Tubtim) Ko Samet, Phe, 8287-8. Fax: (0) 3864 8289, BKK (0) Rayong 21160 Tel: (0) 2260 3590 $$ - $$$ 1218 6425, BKK (0) • Novotel Rim Pae Resort. 4/5 Mu 3, Chak Ko Chan 2729 3144 $ - $$ Pong, Klaeng, Rayong 21190. Tel: (0) • Vong Duen Resort, 22 Mu 3864 8008-12, Fax: (0) 3864 8002, BKK 4, Phe, Rayong 21160. Rsvn: (0) 2237 1308 $$$ - $$$$ Tel: (0) 3865 2408, (0) • Vang Kaew, 214 Mu 2, Chak Pong, interest is the island of Ko Samet, an 3865 1777, Fax: (0) 3865 1741 $ -$$ Klaeng, Rayong 21190. Tel: (0) 3863 island famous for its sandy beaches, • Saeng Tien, 88 Mu 4 Lo Samet, Phe, 8067, Fax: (0) 3863 8068. BKK Rsvn: which are mainly found on the east Rayong 21160. Tel: (0) 3865 1223, Tel: (0) 2259 4150-1 $ - $$$ side of the island. (0) 3865 1223 $ • Palmeraie. 177 Mu 1, Chak Pong, Klaeng, Many places to stay are found on • Samed Ville (Villa) Ao Wai, Ko Samet, Rayong 21190. Tel: (0) 3863 8071-2, Phe, Rayong 21160. Tel: (0) 3865 1681- Hat Sai Kaeo (White Sands Beach) and Fax: (0) 3863 8073, BKK Rsvn: (0) 2213 2, Fax: (0) 3865 1681 $ - $$$ 1162. $$ - $$$ Ao Wong Duan (Wong Duan Bay). More secluded resorts are hidden in to Chonburi Khao Chamao Falls Khao Wong Caves the coves between these main beaches. BAN PHE to KLAENG N KHA0 Transport is by boat except for a few 344 KLAENG CHAMAO Õ.‡¢“™–‡¡“ local pick-ups which ply the island’s Ban Sam Yaek Nam Pen 10 unsealed tracks. 0 5 10km 344 Piers serving Ko Samet are located 3406 3430 3377 on the eastern edge of Ban Phe. These Route to/from 3433 Laem Mae Õ.·°≈ß 269 3 piers have safe overnight parking and 3139 Phim KLAENG 275 can reserve accommodation, arranging 10 NA YAI AM 3161 Õ.𓬓¬Õ“¡ GOLF COURSES IN THE SATTAHIP- RAYONG AREA 3161 3162 Eastern Star Resort & Country Club 3320 3 3163 H3 KM193 Tel: (0) 3863 0410-7, TAT (tourist information) 9 Fax: (0) 3863 0418 Talat Tapong (0) 3865 5420-1 Sunthorn Phu Great Lake Golf & Country Club to Rayong 21 9 27 H3376 KM9 Tel: (0) 3862 2630, 3190 17 4 H 3145 5 Ao Khao Seafood 3300 9 1 2 13 (0) 1218 6913, (0) 1218 7620 H 3 Laem Mae Phim 3140 H Palmeriae Phutaluang Royal Thai Navy Golf Mae Ram Phung ∫.‡æ Ko Man Nai H Ban Phe Resort H Rayong Vang Kaew Course H3 KM182 Tel: (0) 3870 1843 Chalet Novotel Ko Man Klang Bay View $ Resort Rayong Century Golf & Country Laem Ya Rim Phe Club H3 KM197 Tel: (0) 3889 8678 Tel & Fax: (0) 3860 2889 1 Ban Phe Cabana $$-$$$ Tel: (0) 3864 8488-90 4 Silver Beach $$-$$$ Ko Samet Kaeng Samed Hotel $$-$$$ Tel: (0) 3872 2857 Tel: (0) 3863 8096-7 Rayong Green Valley & St Andrews Sea Wind Resort $-$$$ 2 Pakarang Resort $-$$$ Tel: (0) 3864 8412 5 Sin Siam Resort $-$$$ 2000 H3376 KM14 Tel: (0) 3865 2736-8 Rungnapha Lodge $$-$$$$ Tel: (0) 3864 8297-8 Tel: (0) 3863 8114-5 liver Hargreave O Tel & Fax: (0) 3889 3838-46 Samet Ko & Phae Ban 3 Hinsuai Namsai Resort $$-$$$$ Tel: (0) 3863 8035-6 www.budget.co.th 7 R KLAENG SECTION 4 : 55 kms. CHANTABURI rom Klaeng, Highway 3 skirts to Kaeng Hang Maew mountains and estuaries. The Khao Wong KLAENG to CHANTABURI F KHAO highest of the peaks, Soi Dao Nua CHAMAO ‡¢“™–‡¡“ 3406 (1605m), lies to the north of 3409 Chantaburi's provincial capital. 3433 KHA0 Waterfalls tumble off the jungle clad 344 3377 Krathing Õ.·°≈ß KHITCHAKUT KLAENG heights, the prominence of which NA YAI AM Õ.‡¢“§‘™¨°ŸØ 3 Õ.𓬓¬Õ“¡ creates large amounts of rainfall and 10 3249 has helped the area become the fruit Wat Khao Sukim basket of Bangkok. A fruit festival Ban Nong Khla 3322 celebrates this fact in the harvest season 3161 at the beginning of May. 3322 11 Attractions include Chantaburi City, 3399 3 the waterfalls in national parks and Sunthorn Phu 316 317 several beaches where seafood Laem Mae Phim 3152 3323 3493 restaurants are numerous. N 12 Khung Wiman THA MAI 3147 If you plan to visit the waterfalls, Õ.∑à“„À¡à ®—π∑∫ÿ√’ it is as well to note that they are less CHANTABURI crowded during weekdays and at their 0 10 kms 3146 best as the rainy season progresses. Chao Lao 3 3348 Reaching the different levels may involve sweaty climbs through moist 3149 LAEM SINGH Krathing Falls to Pong Nam Ron Õ.·À≈¡ ‘ßÀå AROUND CHANTABURI Khao Khitchakut H Krathing Resort 3249 Oliver Hargreave Ban Krathing Chantaburi Around Wat Khao 22 KHAO KHITCHAKUT to Klaeng & Rayong Sukim 3249 Õ.‡¢“§‘™¨°ŸØ 18 to Khiritan evergreen jungle up sometimes slippery paths. Take Ban Khanun Dam 3 3407 swimming gear to enjoy the cool pools. 3322 302 566 m. 11 POINTER ELEVEN 3399 3249 Fruit 10 market 3322 11 MAKHAM The junction of H3249 and H316 with H3 at Ban Õ.¡–¢“¡ KM315 3 Noen Sun ®—π∑∫ÿ√’ 317 3152 3493 CHANTABURI 3323 316 12 POINTER TWELVE 12 Khung 3147 Noen H Maneechan Resort Wiman THA MAI H3 turns sharply south at KM333. H317 goes north Õ.∑à“„À¡à Wong 3277 Namtok Trok Nong to Sa Kaeo. H 3146 924 m. Laem ChaoH Lao Khao Chamao- Khao Wong National Park H Ban Tha Chalaep 3348 Sadet Namtok Phliu (H3 KM275 north turn onto H3377 — 16kms.) Oasis Maldives Sea World A two kilometre nature trail links the eight levels of the B. Res. Hat Sai Khuk 3 Õ.¢≈ÿß Khao Chamao Falls. Khao Wong (H3 KM286 Thong Res. Chao Lao Khi Kai KHLUNG 12 kms north on H3433) is a modest sized limestone Tuk H to Trat Sawasdee Daeng 3149 karst with a succession of small, pungent caves Õ.·À≈¡ ‘ßÀå seafood inhabited by bats. It is possible to drive directly from LAEM SINGH Khao Chamao to Khao Wong using dirt roads (4WD) N Ban Pak Sombun $ Tel:(0) 3936 3151 to the north or south of the mountain. This drive that Ko Proed will be of interest as much for the rural scenery you 5 10 pass through as for the destination. Hat Kung Wiman, Laem Sadet & Hat Chao Lao (south turn off H3 at KM303 on H3399 or from 8 www.budget.co.th Chantaburi via Tha Mai District. path (see accom- N 26kms to Chao Lao on H3399) The modation inland CHANTABURI low hills, headlands and the bay of Ao section 5). to H3 & Pointer 11 Khung Kratiane combine to create 500 m some pleasant coastline, the best of Noen Wong which is found on the extensive sandy Fortress 316 beaches between Laem Sadet and (H3146 approx. Taksin Camp Taksin Chao Lao. 4 kms from Chan- Memorial (Marines) Chao Lao is a Thai style beach taburi) The bastion City Pillar resort consisting of numerous small was built on a bluff to H3 & Pointer 12 to Tha Mai & Wat (H317 north to restaurants serving excellent seafood. south-west of Chan- Laem Sadet Bot Muang Khao Soi Dao) Bungalow resorts are found at back taburi City in 1843 as Night and little else. A new bridge across the a defence against market river estaury makes possible a circular the Vietnamese. Provincial Hall Rim Nam Rd (Sala Klang) Si Chan Rd. RC Cathedral trip via Tha Mai. Laem Singh to the Ramparts for 39 H south-east is entirely devoted to prawn cannon enclose 270 Caribou Wat farming except for one small beach rai of land upon Phailom (see map) which stands Wat Yotanimittara and a Taksin Statue Khun Daeng small museum of KP Grand H ACCOMMODATION Hotel underwater archeo- (Chao Lao & Laem Sadet) Nai Thian Robinson logical exploration. Dept. Store to H3, Trat & • Hat Sai Thong Resort, 99 Mu 6 Khlong Laem Ngop H Eastern Khut, Tha Mai, Chantaburi 22120. 3146 Hotel Alternative route to Chantaburi 3248 Tel: (0) 3936 9123-6 BKK Rsvn: (0) 2254 to Noen Wong Laem Singh & (South turn at Oasis Sea World 9797 Ext. 369 $$-$$$ Oliver Hargreave Pointer 11. 6kms.) • Chaolao Sawasdee Resort, Khlong Khut, Thai Mai, Chantaburi 22120. Tel: (0) Chantaburi lies close 3936 9308-9, (0) 1664 7193 $$ to saphire and ruby mining regions within close walking distance. • Maldives Beach Resort, Laem Sadet found in the mountains to the north- To the south-west of the city, Noen Beach, 4 Khlong Khut, Tha Mai, east. Deposits near Bo Rai are largely Wong Fortress was built in 1843 to Chantaburi 22120. Tel: (0) 3936 9100- exhausted, but stones come from Phailin defend the increasingly wealthy area, 3, Fax: (0) 3936 9104. $$ - $$$ in Cambodia and elsewhere. The but it had no chance of preventing the downtown gem trading area along Si French from occupying Chantaburi and Wat Khao Sukim & Krathing Falls Chan Road throngs with traders on Trat provinces in 1893 as part of their (Take H3322 north form H3 at Fridays and Saturdays. colonial expansion west of the River either KM306 or from pointer 11— Chantaburi was dominated by the Mekong in Cambodia and Laos. The 25 kms round route. Krathing Falls Khmer from Angkor in the 14th French left in 1907 when Siam finally may be roach from H3322 or direct century, and repeatedly invaded from ceded Battambang, Siem Reap and from H3 at KM324 on H3249 Cambodia in the 16th century. In 1767 Sisophon provinces to French (signposted Khao Khitchakut) Phraya Taksin occupied the city after Indochina. —22kms) A meditation centre lies at the Burmese destruction of the Siamese With the Fall of the France in 1940, the heart of Wat Khao Sukim, but the capital at Ayutthaya. From Chantaburi Thai forces retook the lost provinces, main attraction for visitors is a vast four he began the campaign that was to though they suffered a naval defeat at storey building containing an extraor- force the Burmese out of Siam and Ko Chang (there is a memorial near dinary array of artefacts donated to the secure the polity that evolved into Laem Ngop). In 1947, the provinces temple. Krathing Falls in Khao modern Thailand. were restored to the French. Khitchakut National Park has thirteen From the 18th century Chantaburi levels accessible from a steep 500 metre provided a haven for Christians fleeing ACCOMMODATION persecution in Vietnam, to Noen Sun and later the city In Chabtaburi City THA MAI • Caribou Highland Hotel. 14 Cha- to H3 Airfield 3323 attracted many overseas Chinese. The Catholic wanautid Rd., Wat Mai, Chantaburi, 3152 22000. Tel: (0) 3932 3431-55, to Chantaburi Cathedral was com- Fax: (0) 3932 1584. $$ - $$$$ pleted in 1909. It can be • Eastern Hotel. 899 Thachalaeb Rd, 3147 reached by footbridge narrow high street (one-way) Chantaburi 22000. Tel: (0) 3931 2218- across the river from 20, Fax: (0) 3931 1985. $ - $$ to Laem Sadet & Hat Chao Lao Rim Nam Street, a • KP Grand Hotel. 35/200-201 Trirat Rd. follow signs for "Khung Krabane" to Noen Wong charming narrow street Chantanimit, Chantaburi 22000. Tel: (0) N best for walking and 39 32 3201-13, Fax: (0) 3934 4123 $ sampling the city’s • Maneechan Resort. 14 Raksakcha-moon Chinese-Vietnamese rice Rd., Tha Chang, Chantaburi 22000. to Hat Chao Lao via 1 2 Tel: (0) 3934 3777-8, Fax: (0) 3934 4123 bridge noodles. Chantaburi’s $$$ night market is also www.budget.co.th 9 R CHANTABURI SECTION 5 : 157 kms. KO CHANG & HAT LEK rom Pointer 12, you may turn north Õ. Õ¬¥“« Pong Nam Ron, Chan- SOI DAO CHANTABURI to HAT LEK F to take inland routes to Khao Soi taburi 22140.Tel & Fax: Soi Dao Falls Local border crossing Dao mountain and a scenic back- (0) 3938 7123. Tel: (0) 3193 country route to Trat, or you can follow 3932 2831-2, Fax: (0) 3210 Highway 3 to Trat directly. The high- 3932 1483 $$ Soi Dao Highland light of this part of the coast is Ko PONG NAM RON 3193 Laem Singh Port & Õ.‚ªÉßπÈ”√âÕπ H Khlong Pong Nam Chang, which is reached by driving to Eng Dao Local border crossing Laem Ngop and then taking a car ferry. Beach 317 Ron Rafting (25 kms return to Khiritan Dam 13 POINTER THIRTEEN H3). Turn south-west at C A M B O D I A KM345 onto H3348, Õ.¡–¢“¡ H3156 to Laem Ngop (for Ko drive for 3kms and turn MAKHAM Ban Noen Chang) goes south from Ban Saeng ®—π∑∫ÿ√’ Tak Daet left just before a sharp CHANTABURI 3299 Tung at KM379. Near KM378, H3157 right hand bend near Õ.∫àÕ‰√à to Bo Rai leads to a pretty inland route 3 3157 BO RAI KM.3 — follow signs 3388 to the Khiritan Dam, joining H317 at for 'Dolphin' to go to KM19. 3149 ∫.¥à“π™ÿ¡æ≈ the Oasis Sea World LAEM SINGH Dan Chomphu Õ.·À≈¡ ‘ßÀå Dolphinarium and 3159 KHAO 14 POINTER FOURTEEN KHLUNG Ban Butterfly Farm — One Õ.¢≈ÿß Saeng SAMING Around Chantaburi Around Õ.‡¢“ ¡‘ß 3157 317 Tung 13 H3 KM399. East turn on H318 for hour shows start 09:00, 3 14 the route to Khlong Yai and an inland 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, Airport µ√“¥ route to Bo Rai using H317. H3 17:00 Tel: (0) 3936 (under construction) TRAT 3148 3155 terminates in Trat, becoming H3148 to 3238-9. H3149 south- 318 LAEM NGOP H Laem Ngop. west form H3 at KM. Õ.·À≈¡ßÕ∫ 348 provides an un- Muk Kaew KO CHANG Ban Pu Laem Resort Khao Soi Dao & Back Country complicated direct ‡°“–™â“ß Resort Klat Laem Sok H Routes East route to Laem Singh Highway 317 north from pointer avoiding the dolphi- Khao Lan narium. Ko Rang 12 gives access to the county around Chang Ko & Ngop Laem Ko Mai Si Yai N Soi Dao Mountain. The first inland Seafood restaurants Ko Wai route east takes H3277 to the south- line the beach near the Hat Ban Chuan Ko Mak east from Makham (H317 KM.7 east mouth of the estuary. 1 The French occupation Õ.§≈Õß„À≠à 2 turn. 26kms to Khlung), passing the 0 10km KHLONG YAI Trok Nong Falls. More spectacular is marked in Laem Sing Ban Hat Lek scenery can be enjoyed on H3299, by an old customs Ko Kut International Border Crossing which runs east from H317 near KM19 house (tuk daeng) and 1 Tak Akat $$ Tel: (0) 1562 1742, (0) 3958 1295 and passes the Khiritan Dam and joins a second small, lop- 2 Chanchon Resort $-$$$ Tel: (0) 3958 1173, (0) 3958 1889 Oliver Hargreave H3157 near KM27 after 44kms. sided tower that served as a jail in which Thai prisoners were Buppharam) on Highway 3 near the ACCOMMODATION kept beneath the mesh floor of a side-road to the falls. The road towards chicken coop (khuk khi kai). The the sea at the main lights in Khlung Inland coastline between Laem Singh and the (near KM356) terminates at jetties and • Eng Dao Hill Resort (H317 KM36 west mangroves of Khlung to the south-east some good seafood restaurants. turn) 229/Mu 1 Tabsai, Pong Nam Ron, is dominated by prawn-farming. Chantaburi 22140. Tel: (0) 3936 0258- Laem Ngop and Ko Chang Island 60. $$ Also organises rafting trips Namtok Phliu & Khlung (max. 8 persons 2500 Bt.) $$ Laem Ngop fishing port is the (KM346 north turn — 1.7kms) In • Krathing Country Resort (H3249 KM20) starting point for passenger ferries to 21/7 Mu 5 Phlung, Khao Khitchakut 1876, King Rama V (Chulalongkorn) Ko Chang and the smaller isalnds to sub-district, Chantaburi 22210. Tel: (0) built a chedi and the pyramid housing the south. A nearby memorial museum 3945 2453-6. BKK Rsvn. Tel & Fax: (0) the remains of his beloved Queen commemorates a naval battle between 2259 8121-3 $$ Sunantha, who drowned in a boating the Thai and French in which two Thai accident at Bang Pa-In two years after vessels were sunk in 1941. Three car Golf near Soi Dao they had visited the falls. A one- ferry services serving Ko Chang operate Soi Dao Highland Hotel & Golf Club kilometre nature trail goes round and from landings west of Laem Ngop. (H317 KM.43). 153 Mu 2 Tabsai, above the falls. Note the Chinese (Wat Mangkol 10 www.budget.co.th Ko Chang throughout the length of the west coast to Chantaburi to Khlong Yai N TRAT Ko Chang is the largest of more than and inexpensive huts are still available 318 40 islands that form an archipelago in keeping with the islands reputation 3 which became the Mu Ko Chang as a haven for young travellers. Increa- 0 500m Marine National Park. Due to singly, however, mid to up-market to Wat 14 Bupharam (2kms) government intentions to make it a resorts are occupying prime sites along (Temple museum 399 Market prime tourist destination, the island is the main beaches. Between these three 08:00-17:00) undergoing rapid change. main beaches, rocky beach is common, Ko Chang's jungle clad ridge especially at low tide. Trat Dept. reaches over 700m in height and runs Store the length of the island. A U shaped ACCOMMODATION Provincial Hall two-lane concrete road ( Be careful on (Sala Klang) the very steep z bends to the south of Ko Chang Ban Khlong Son!) is being extended • Aiyapura, 29 Mu 3, Ko Chang, Trat 23120. Wat Phailom and will be fully sealed from Ban Rong Tel: (0) 3952 1656-60, Fax: (0) 3952 1656. Bkk Off. (0) 22862 1611 to Tha Dan Kao Than and Ban Salak Phet round the 3148 www.budget.co.th 11 INSTRUCTIONS Shading Highway highlights Number o help you find your way through an unfamiliar landscape, the route is recommended routes 3 divided into sections. Suggested routes are marked on the maps and Pointer numbers T 5 identify important intersections numbered pointers listed in sequence in the likely direction of travel. Kilometre references are noted in from side-roads which may not stop as Accommodation near the beach is two ways: they enter the major road. Always slow charged at a premium in Thailand, so right down when entering a village or even 'cheap' rooms can cost between H3 KM13 = Kilometre stone 13 is the town, no matter how empty the road 10 and 20 dollars per night, which can nearest kilometre marker on might look. be more than double the inland Highway 3 (Sukhumwit Highway). equivalent. (west turn — 3kms) If you are travel- Help us get it right! If you have Travel with enough cash to get you ling north, this means you should suggestions or find serious errors in this to the next ATM machine, which are turn left and drive 3kms to the guide, please advise our staff. usually found at banks in main district indicated destination. Music while you drive. Before you towns (amphoe). Credit cards can be Fill up with petrol ! Before entering set out, take advantage of low prices used at large gas stations and most main back country roads, make sure you have for audio tapes in Thailand and stock resorts/hotels. Fuel prices are around enough fuel. In deep country areas, up with some new tunes, or play around 15 Baht per litre (The baht/US dollar filling stations are reduced to hand- with the FM radio to see what you can exchange rate is fluctuating around pumps from barrels, which is incon- pick up. 40-42 Baht=1US$) venient and more expensive. Only indication prices for accom- modation are given, as rack rates change Broken up and buckled road INFORMATION according to the occupancy rate. Be surface may sometimes be encountered This guide is designed to prepared for an additional 17% of along highways, but this is usually rare government taxes to be added onto a on main highways unless there is road complement regular guide-books. The offices of the Tourism Authority of hotel bill. Walk-in rates are indicated as construction. Always be very careful follows: driving through areas where there is Thailand (TAT — locations on the maps) road construction, especially if you are at Pattaya (Tel: (0) 3842 7667 or (0) 6000 Baht up driving at night (we recommend you 3842 8750, Fax: (0) 3842 9113. E-mail: 3000-5999 Baht avoid driving at night in Thailand). [email protected]), at Tapong 1000-2999 Baht Damaged road surface is commonly (H3 KM230+200m) near Rayong (Tel: 0-999 Baht found on tertiary sealed roads in rural (0) 3865 5420-1 Fax: (0) 3865 5422) and areas. Avoid driving faster than 60kph at Laem Ngop (Tel: (0) 3959 7259-60, NATIONAL PARKS on such roads and be ready to slow Fax: (0) 3959 7255) can also provide down frequently. useful information and brochures. Foreigners are charged 200 Bht. (children 100 Bht.) entrance fee to 4 WD Only! If you are driving a ACCOMMODATION national parks in Thailand. If you can vehicle that does not have four-wheel produce a Thai driver’s license, you may drive, please do not enter roads Selected accommodation suggests be charged at the rate for Thai people indicated as suitable for 4WD if driving a range of places that stand out for (20 Bht./adult 30 Bht./vehicle), but this an ordinary sedan (it is not usually ambience, but many other places on is uncertain. The entrance fee will allow necessary to engage 4WD on most dirt the map listings can be just as nice. We you to enter all sites in that park on the road). strongly advise pre-booking accom- date of purchase. Dirt roads are common in border modation in the high season and during areas and the mountains, and important festivals. unsealed routes are regularly maintained. We recommend that you avoid dirt roads, in particular remote À¬ÿ¥ ones, as you will be responsible for À¬ÿ¥ anything that happens to vehicles off µ√«® regularly maintained and paved roadways. Should you go on a dirt road, STOP NO PASSING STOP (POLICE) however, please drive slowly to avoid CHECK mechanical problems and to keep the dust down, especially when passing people and driving through villages. ithin Design 0 5327 2111 Remember to always take drinking greave ( For reservations, please contact your , Co Ltd. Graphics by W Defensive driving. Be wary of travel consultant or call Budget: oncoming traffic when approaching the brow of a hill or a blind corner, and be In the U.K.: 0541 565-656, In the U.S.: (800) 527-0700 especially vigilant for vehicles entering In Germany: 01805 244-388, In Australia: 1-300 362-848 In Singapore: 532-4442, In Thailand: 1-800-BUDGET 12 (c) all rights reserved. Compiled by Oliver Har for WorldClass Rent A Car for WorldClass Budget WorldClass Drives HUA HIN, KANCHANABURI AND WESTERN THAILAND Highlights of the Drive Three Pagodas Pass THUNG YAI NARESUAN 1 11 ua Hin is an excellent starting WILDLIFE RESERVE CHAINAT SANGKHLABURI 333 H point for exploring the western KHAO LAEM 32 coastline of the Gulf of Thailand and NATIONAL PARK 340 the Tennasserim range inland along the CHALOEM RATTANAKOSIN SING BURI NATIONAL PARK THONG PHA PHUM SI NAKHARIN border with Myanmar. From the coastal NATIONAL PARK retreats of Prachuap Khiri Khan to the NONG PHRU 323 ANG THONG the canals of Ratchaburi and the valley SUPHAN BURI ERAWAN NATIONAL PARK 3086 of the river Khwae in Kanchanaburi, SAI YOK NATIONAL PARK U-THONG this drive offers great variety. BO PHLOI AYUTTHAYA 340 324 321 In addition to geographical variety, 3199 a variety which golfers in particular will KANCHANABURI KAMPHAENG SAEN SAI YOK 346 PATHUM THANI be able to enjoy at over twenty golf 4 courses, the territory is of significant 323 DAN MAKHAM TIA BAN PONG BANGKOK historical interest. Remains from NAKHON PATHOM M Y A N M A R 4 prehistoric times to the Dvaravati and SUAN PHUNG 3087 325 Khmer civilisations of the sixth to RATCHABURI 3 DAMNOEN SADUAK SAMUT SAKHON eleventh centuries may be seen at 35 1 = Section of this drive 3313 monuments and in national museums. = Described/Recommended Routes SAMUT SONGKHRAM = Main Trunk Route Royal Palaces give an idea of more 4 = Secondary Highway recent Thai history, and the memorials = Tertiary Road (sealed) PHETCHABURI to the Death Railway built in the = Unsealed Road/Track 2 = Railway KAENG KRACHAN G U L F Second World War will leave a lasting KAENG KRACHAN impression. NATIONAL PARK O F An easy one-day journey south T H A I L A N D from Hua Hin to Khao Sam Roi Yot 3219 HUA HIN National Park can be extended to an 1 N PRAN BURI overnight visit to the provincial capital of Prachuap Khiri Khan. Other places KHAO SAM ROI YOT to visit near Hua Hin are the historical 0 40 kms NATIONAL PARK city of Phetchaburi to the north and Kaeng Krachan National Park inland 4 to the west. PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN A longer rural route leads to Kanchanaburi Province, which contains historical monuments and a ROADS IN THAILAND wealth of national parks and wild-life All main and most minor roads are sealed. Signs and reflective markers sanctuaries that protect the last warn of hazards on major highways, and sodium lighting illuminates major extensive wilderness in Thailand. intersections. Bilingual (English/Thai) road signs indicate destinations, high- way numbers and distances before and after intersections. Though this drive focuses on Hua Kilometre stones show highway number and distance along the road on the Hin as a starting point, fully integrated front face, and distances to destinations in the direction of travel on the side. The police and military set up road check-points on highways, especially at maps allow you to start and finish your night, but there are no security problems. tour in Bangkok (ask for Budget’s Please remember to drive on the left! Airport Routefinder Map to be Emergency Assistance 1-800-BUDGET, Bangkok Office (0) 2203 0250, delivered with your car) or to continue (0) 9896 4549, Hua Hin Office, (0) 3251 4220, (0) 9836 2755 your journey south (pick up a copy of Budget’s Bangkok-Phuket & Surat Thani Route Map before you leave) SOS along Thailand’s near endless beaches. www.budget.co.th 1 HUA HIN SECTION 1 : 90 kms. PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN ua Hin first developed as a fishing to Cha-Am, Petchaburi KM222 AROUND HUA HIN 1 Anantara Resort & Spa $$$$ H village between long sandy beaches Tel: (0) 3252 0250 Fax: Tel: (0) 3252 0259 stretching for kilometres north and south 1 Bkk rsvn: (0) 2477 0800 Palm Hills 2 Majestic Beach Resort $$-$$$$ of the small harbour. Shortly after the Stamford International College Tel: (0) 3252 0162-8 Fax: Tel: (0) 3252 0477 railway reached the town in 1922, the Bkk rsvn: (0) 2751 4020-2 E-mail: [email protected] beach to the north was chosen as the site Hua Hin Elephant Village (H4 KM237) 15 Hua Hin Marriot Resort & Spa $$$-$$$$ for the ‘Klai Kangwon’ (meaning ‘far from Tel: (0) 3251 1881 Fax: (0) 3251 2422 Hua Hin Elephant Village (behind Wat to Wat 3218 Itisukato Tong Kay Pang Chang Hua Hin Saeng Thai Chomsin Rd. Hua Hin Downtown Charoen Pochana 2 Mae Karuna Thanachote station 3218 3 Chao Lae Ketsarin Seafood restaurants Khao Hin Fai Lek Dechanuchit Rd. night-life 15 Wat Hua Hin area – narrow night market lanes 16 Sasong Rd. 4 unsuitable 5 for cars Amnuaisin Rd. Rd. Phunsuk 6 7 17 Royal Hua Hin Golf Course Royal Waiting Room 8 2 9 Oliver Hargreave Hua Hin Station Naretdamri Rd. 18 11 10 M 12 Pananchai Hotel $ 3 Damnoen Kasem Rd. KM Tel: (0) 3251 1707 Fax: (0) 3253 0157 10 Puangpen Villa Hotel 235 19 13 $-$$ Tel: (0) 3253 3785-6 Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa $$$ Municipal Offices – 4 Fax: (0) 3251 1216 20 Tel: (0) 3251 2888 Fax: (0) 3251 1135 tourist information Bkk rsvn: (0) 2253 0123 11 Jed Pee Nong Hotel $-$$ 21 Hua Hin $$$$ S a n d Ban-Boosarin Hotel $ 6 San Paulo Hospital Tel: (0) 3251 2021-38 Hua Hin Elephant Camp Tel: (0) 3251 2076 N Fax: (0) 3251 1014 22 7 Central Hua Hin Village $$$-$$$$ Bkk rsvn: (0) 2541 1463 Khao Sanam Chat Tel: (0) 3251 2021-38 2 www.budget.co.th Places to visit near Hua Hin HUA HIN to PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN 1) Viewpoint and gardens of Khao bypass Hin Lek Fai, the hill overlooking Hua 3301 Hua Hin Airport Hin (4 kms). Nong Phlap 1 ∫.ÀπÕßæ—∫ 2) Khao Takhiap, the point at the 3219 2 3218 3218 southern end of Hua Hin beach (6 kms) HUA HIN checkpoint Majestic Creek 1 À—«À‘π 3) Wat Itisukato and its Buddhist Pala-U-Falls 4WD! Around Hua Hin theme park style of architecture (H3218 4WD! 4 4 Suan Son Beach north turn at either KM1+300m or 1 Khao Tao KM2+700m) R Pran Buri 4) The Marukathaiwan Palace (H4 ª√“≥∫ÿ√’ 2 2 Milford Paradise 4WD! PRAN BURI Pak Nam Pran KM216-7 hrs 08:00-16:00 90 Bht.) ª“°πÈ”ª√“≥ ACCOMMODATION 3 1 The Majestic Creek Country Club • Ban Duangkaew Resort $$ ([8]21 Tel: (0) 3252 0162-6 Fax: (0) 3252 0477 Bkk Off: (0) 2751 4020-2 Fax: (0) 2751 4017 Around Hua Hin) Tel: (0) 3251 5307 E-mail: [email protected] Fax: (0) 3251 5532 E-mail: bd 2 Milford Paradise Golf Club Phetkasem Highway Tel: (0) 3257 2311-2 Fax: (0) 3257 2473 [email protected] Bkk rsvn: (0) 2251 2388-9 • Hotel Sofitel Central Hua Hin & Central 1 Tipawan Chalet $$-$$$$ Hua Hin Village $ $$-$ $$$ Bkk Off: (0) 2319 2693-4. Fax: (0) 2319 2692 ( 12 & 7 Hua Hin Downtown] 2 Pala-U Resort $ Tel: (0) 1215 3577 Khao Sam Roi Yot Around Pran Buri Bkk rsvn: (0) 2729 3673 4 Khao Sam Roi Yot Tel: (0) 3251 2021-38 Fax: (0) 3251 National Park HQ 1014 Bkk Res: (0) 2541 1463 • Hua Hin Marriot Resort & Spa $$$- Pak Khlong Klieo $$$$ ([3]15 Around Hua Hin) Tel: ∫.ª“°§≈Õ߇°≈’¬« Bo Nok (0) 3251 1881 Fax: (0) 3251 2422 ∫.∫àÕπÕ° AROUND PRAN BURI to Hua Hin ‡¢“À‘π‡∑‘π ª√–®«∫§’√’¢—π∏å ·¥π ‘ߢ√ Hin Thoen Park PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN N inland bypass Suan Son Pradiphat Dan Sing Khon 10 kms (local border 4 WD! crossing) Pran Buri Dam King Mongkut 4 Wat Memorial Park fo Science Khao 1 Tao Oliver Hargreave KM246 Palace (no entry) 2 3 Pran Buri South to Khao Sam Roi Yot and Prachuap Army camp Forest Park Khiri Khan 4 WD! Pak Nam Pran Unless you wish to relax at a beach along station PRAN BURI KM the route, the return journey (130 kms if 254 New Pran Buri KM11 rounding the park) can be made comfortably 2 4 Evason KM within one day. An overnight stay is 258 3168 recommended if you wish to continue to 3 Shang Hua Hin Resort $$-$$$$ Old Pran Buri Ban Nong Sua (Milford Paradise Golf Club) 3 Prachuap Khiri Khan. Tel: (0) 3257 2311-2 Fax: (0) 3257 2473 Bkk rsvn: (0) 2251 2388-9 5 4 The Evason Resort and Spa $$$-$$$$ 6 KM240. Suan Son Pradiphat (army) Beach Tel: (0) 3263 1463 Fax: (0) 3263 1236 (East turn 1 km. 10 Bht. till 18:00 hrs) E-mail: [email protected] KM Bkk rsvn: (0) 2254 4775 264 Thao Kosa Ban Mai Forest KM243 Khao Tao temple and beach on Phetkasem Highway KM7 5 Hua Plee Lazy Beach $$ Park Tel: (0) 3263 1854 H3325 (East turn 1.5kms) Bkk rsvn: (0) 2511 1397 4 WD! KM246 Milford Paradise Golf and the Pran 6 Ban Pran Resort $-$$$ Tel: (0) 3263 1838 Bkk rsvn: (0) 2398 0458 N Buri Forest Park (Pointer 1. Turn east and then 4 Ban Nong Khaem Noi 6B Sailom Pran $ turn left after crossing the railway.) Tel: (0) 3263 1679 Bkk rsvn: (0) 2392 1776 6C Ban Chom Thalae $$ 5 kms Tel: (0) 3263 1739 6D Shalom Resort $$ Tel: (0) 3263 1372 6E Sea Hill Resort $ recommended route Tel: (0) 3263 1765 Bkk rsvn: (0) 2585 1987 to Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park Oliver Hargreave 3 to Prachuap Khiri Khan KM246 Shortcut to Pak Nam Pran, a major fishing port AROUND PRACHUAP (Pointer 1 East turn, then turn right after crossing railway to Pran Buri, Hua Hin — this route joins H3168 near KM11), and the beach south KHIRI KHAN to Thao Kosa Forest Park 1 Ao Noi Beach Resort $ Tel: (0) 3260 1350 Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park 2 Golden Beach Hotel $ Tel: (0) 3260 1626 Fax: (0) 3260 1222 The 98 square km park is a contrast of flat wetlands 3 Had Thong Hotel $ and jagged crags reaching over 600m in elevation. Attractions Tel: (0) 3260 1050-6 Fax: (0) 3260 1057 include caves and the Thung Sam Roi Yot wetlands. The Ao Noi 1 fastest direct route to the park is to turn east at Pointer 2 N Ban Pak Ao and then go south from pointer 3 (130kms if on the circular (fishing port) route around the park). 2 kms KM25 Ban Pu (East turn — 4kms) and car park for boats to Laem Sala Beach. The Phraya Nakhon Cave is a 430m climb from this beach. Kaeo Cave may be visited en KM323 route (1.2 kms on dirt road left — do not enter without proper 2 Rim Lae light as dangerous falls are possible — local guides with Rap Lom lanterns are usually available near the mouth of the cave) 326 Khao Chang Khrachok KM20 Sai Cave (East turn — 3kms. Torch required) Promenade Station KM17 Hat San Phraya (East turn 500m) 3 KM14 Wat Khao Daeng & boat trips (West turn — 500m) M Market and Horizon Adventure sea-canoe touring (East turn — Military checkpoint 600m) (surrender passport at to Hin Thoen Park office near gate to enter) KM13+500m. A 750m trail leads NW to a viewpoint (a (9 kms. Beware of dogs!) Phetkasem Highway steep climb almost qualifies as a scramble). KM13 National Park HQ (Park accommodation must Royal Thai Airforce be booked in advance by calling the park at (0) 3260 3751 Ao Manao or the RFD Parks Division in Bangkok H4 (KM285—Pointer 4) For Thung Khao Sam Roi Yot 3167 wetlands, turn north onto H4 and then east on a cement to Dan Sing Khon Military checkpoint (border crossing lane 200m north of KM276 for the ranger station at the 12kms — little to see) lotus swamp (9kms). Boats can be hired to see the birds, which are best in August and September when migratory KM331 species arrive. to Chumphon Nong Hin Ban Nong Hin Station to Pran Buri to Pran Buri Hua Hin 1 KHAO SAM ROI YOT to King Mongkut Memorial Park of Science (4kms. 09:00-16:00) Lotus Swamp Ranger Stn. 2 3 Ko Ku Ram Oliver Hargreave Rong Che Parking & boats Park for Laem Sala Ban Phu Noi Checkpoint KM276 4 Prachuap Khiri Khan Ban Sam Roi Yot Laem Sala Beach K H A O S A M R O I Y O T Kaew Cave Prachuap Khiri Khan (90kms south of Hua Hin) Phetkasem Highway Wetlands has a spectacular setting and a provincial atmosphere Phraya which charms those seeking quiet corners of N A T I O N A L Nakhon Sai Cave Cave Thailand. You may visit Ao Manao, a private beach Ban Khung Tanot controlled by the Air Force, or climb to the top of P A R K Khao Chang Krachok. Otherwise there is little to do 4 Sam Phraya Beach except wait for the seafood stalls to open up along Wat Khao Daeng 1 Dolphin Bay Resort. $$ the promenade in the evening. Kayaking Tel: (0) 3255 9333 KM286 Fax: (0) 3255 9334 Park National to Prachuap Oliver Hargreave Khiri Khan 4 www.budget.co.th HUA HIN SECTION 2 : 60 kms. KAENG KRACHAN – PHETCHABURI AROUND KAENG KRACHAN to Nong Ya Plong 3206 ∑à“¬“ß HUA HIN to PHETCHABURI THA YANG ‡¢“¬âÕ¬ 3459 KHAO YAI to H4 3187 1 Tham KM8 Sawang 3499 to H4 Khao ∫â“π·À≈¡ ·°àß°√–®“π ∫.∑à“´‘° Resort GC Yoi BAN LAEM KAENG KRACHAN KM19 Ban Tha Sik (cave) KM22 KM21 Petch Dam Kaeng Krachan CC to H4 3176 2 4 Kaeng Krachan National Park HQ 1 2 Khao Luang (cave) 3432 3349 ‡æ™√∫ÿ√’ KM25 Ban Wang Won 3175 ∫.«—ß«π ∫.ÀπÕ߇¢“ÕÕπ PHETCHABURI Ban Nong KM11 7 Khao On 3171 8 3179 3432 to Tho Thip Falls 36kms KM12 3 KM14 ∫â“π≈“¥ Ban Nong Peun Taek BAN LAT 3177 Ban Huai Thawai 10 checkpoint KM10 ∫.ÀπÕߪóπ·µ° Ban Salahet 6 ∫.À⫬∑«“¬ 4 3410 ∫. “√‡ÀÁ¥ N KM15 3204 3432 3410 3187 Ban Yang Chum ∑à“¬“ß À“¥‡®â“ ”√“≠ 3301 ∫.¬“ß™ÿ¡ back routes to Hua Hin 0 5kms THA YANG Hat Chao Samran to Hua Hin R. Phetchaburi ·°àß°√–®“π Hat Puk Tian KAENG KRACHAN 5 Dam K A E N G K R A C H A N 2 Kaeng Krachan CC recommended Khao Phanoen Thong 3174 route to Phetchaburi Park HQ 3175 Thao Thip Falls N A T I O N A L 4WD One-way ! 7 3432 3 8 KM200 9 P A R K Ban Salahet Around Kaeng Krachan Pran Buri Falls 6 3410 ∫. “√‡ÀÁ¥ ™–Õ” 3410 4 CHA-AM 1 Thanu Resort $-$$ Tel: (0) 1944 6571 Yang Chum 2 Chatphet Resort $-$$ Tel: (0) 1866 8127 ∫.¬“ß™ÿ¡ 3 Petch Rim Tarn Resort $-$$ Tel: (0) 3241 1881 4WD only past this point Springfield Royal CC Fax: (0) 3242 7220 Bkk rsvn: (0) 2241 1192 — No entry after 14:30 Lam Luang Resort $$ Tel: (0) 3247 8177-9 West only 05:00-10:00 & 14:30-15:00 4 East only 12:00-13:00 & 16:30-18:00 Bkk rsvn: (0) 2392 7805 Imperial Lake View CC Casuarina Resort $$-$$$ 5 3301 Hua Hin-Cha-Am Phetkasem Highway Tel: (0) 3244 3080-2 Bkk rsvn: (0) 2254 1410 Buri Pran R 6 Tipawan Chalet $$-$$$$ bypass N Bkk Off: (0) 2319 2693-4. Fax: (0) 2319 2692 7 Pala-U Resort $ Tel: (0) 1215 3577 Oliver Hargreave Bkk rsvn: (0) 2729 3673 Hua Hin Airport checkpoint 5 10 kms 3219 1 Sawang Resort Golf Club (H4 KM137) Nong Phlap Tel: (0) 3249 9556-8 Fax: (0) 3249 9555 7 6 ∫.ÀπÕßæ—∫ 3218 HUA HIN Bkk Off: (0) 2 440 0245 À—«À‘π 2 Kaeng Krachan Country Club Tel: (0) 3242 4213-4 Pala-U-Falls Fax: (0) 3242 5587 (closed Mondays) Majestic Creek CC he 2915 square kms of the Kaeng Krachan National KM36, from where the Tho Thip Falls are 4kms on foot. T Park straddle the Tennasserim mountains to the west along the border with Myanmar. Two waterfalls may be Prior permission from the park HQ (H3432 KM29) must visited in the park. be obtained and only 4WD vehicles are allowed in (one- way access on dirt road: 05:00-10:00 & 14:30-15:00 up only; The Pala U Falls 12:00-13:00 & 16:30-18:00 down only; no entry after 14:30 Follow H3218 & H3219 to the Pala U Falls (60 kms — — avoid visiting at weekends). Drive with caution as you walk the final 700m of unsealed track if not driving a 4WD will be responsible for your vehicle on this road. Camping vehicle. Entry 08:00-16:30. Allow a full day), a series of 15 equipment can be hired at the Park HQ, but you must take levels of cascades in a narrow valley filled with evergreen food, drinking water, torch, repellents, etc. (Call the Park forest. HQ for details. Tel (0) 3245 9293). The park headquarters are most easily reached from The Tho Thip Falls Hua Hin by driving to KM12 on H3219 and then turning A 36kms dirt road leads to Ban Krang Camp at KM15, a north on H3301 following Pointers 5,6 7 & 8. walk to Pran Buri Falls from KM18 (visitors must take a park guide), Phanoenthong camp at KM30, and a car park at 5 North to Cha-Am and Phetchaburi to Phetchaburi to Phetchaburi HUA HIN to CHA-AM (recommended coast route) North of the Marukathaiwan Palace, several 3174 1 Taweesook Beach Resort $$-$$$ KM15 1 Tel: (0) 3244 8195 monolithic high-rise condotels mark the coast as Khrua Pa Chaliao 2 Eurasia Cha-Am Lagoon $$-$$$$ far as Cha-Am, where resort accommodation Tel: (0) 3247 1326-7 Fax: (0) 3243 0397 follows a beach-front road in this popular Thai Bkk rsvn: (0) 2693 1840-5 argreave 3 Cha-Am Methavalai Hotel $$-$$$ resort. Tel: (0) 3243 3250-3 Fax: (0) 3247 1590 2 Oliver H Bkk rsvn: (0) 2621 0600-9 E-mail: [email protected] industrial The coast road north from Cha-Am (Pointers 3B Cha-Am Villa Hotel $-$$ Tel: (0) 3247 1241 Fax: (0) 3247 1086 zone 9&10) offers a marginally longer, but much quieter E-mail: [email protected] Seafood road to Phetchaburi than the stressful main trunk 3C Gems Cha-Am Hotel $$$ quarry Tel: (0) 3243 4060-6 Fax: (0) 3243 4002 9 1 Springfield Royal route (H4). The coastal route is recommended if Bkk rsvn: (0) 2635 0944-7 CHA-AM Country Club 3D Jitravee Resort Hotel $-$$ 3 (H4 KM210 west turn 5kms) you are not in a hurry. North of Hat Chao Samran Tel: (0) 3247 1382 Fax: (0) 3243 3925 station Police box Bkk rsvn: (0) 2231 2244 E-mail: [email protected] the beaches become mud-flats backed by salt pans, 3E Kaeng Chan Hotel $$ inland Tel: (0) 3247 1314 Fax: (0) 3247 1531 Imperial Lake View Hotel bypass 4 2 and the coastal roads are severely broken up. 3F Long Beach Cha-Am Hotel $$-$$$ & Golf Club (H4 KM16) Tel: (0) 3247 2140-1 Fax: (0) 3247 2287 $$ Tel: (0) 3245 6223-9 Bkk rsvn: (0) 241 3897 Fax: (0) 3245 6241 TAT Tel: (0) 3247 1005-6 Bkk Off: (0) 2995 2312-5 ACCOMMODATION 3G Mark-Land Hotel Cha-Am $$-$$$ Tel: (0) 3243 3821-41 Fax: (0) 3243 3834 Palm Hills Resort & Country Club 4 (H4 KM226) Tel: (0) 3252 0800-11 • Anantara Resort & Spa $$$$ ([1] Around Hua 4 Nirundorn Resort $-$$ 5 Bkk Off: (0) 2233 2922 Tel: (0) 3247 1893-4 3 4 Fax: (0) 3252 0820 Hin) Tel: (0) 3252 0250 Fax: Tel: (0) 3252 0259 4B NP Place $-$$ Bkk Res: (0) 2477 0800 Tel: (0) 3247 1626 5 Cha-Am Marina Resort $$ inland bypass Tel: (0) 3247 1851-6 4C Santisuk Beach Resort $$$ 6 • Casuarina Resort $$- $$$ ([2]2 Hua Hin- Tel: (0) 3247 1214 Fax: (0) 3247 1212 Fax: (0) 3247 1858 7 Bkk rsvn: (0) 2295 0856-7 Phetchaburi) Tel: (0) 3244 3080-2 Bkk Res: (0) Bkk rsvn: (0) 2208 0523 8 6 Springfield Beach Resort 2254 1410 $$$-$$$$ Tel: (0) 3245 1181-5 10 Fax: (0) 3245 1194 10 9 Bkk rsvn: (0) 2231 2244 • Dusit Resort & Polo Club $$$-$$$$ ([7] Hua 1 H Phetchaburi parking 1 walk only Rathwithi Rd. With relics from the Khmer empire at Wat cable car Palace H Kamphaeng Laeng going back to the 12th century, Museum Phra Nakhon Khiri Phetchaburi is the site of an old settlement. Long a Phrathat Chom Phet Phongsuriya Rd. Historical Park seat of royalty, the city has many temples as well as Khao Wang 4 Chisra In Rd. Wat Yai Suwannaram two 19th century royal palaces — the Phra Nakhon Wat Phra Kaew Phrasong Matayawong Rd. R d. Khiri Historical Park and Phra Ram Ratchaniwet (Ban Wat Mahathat Peun) Palace (to visit Ban Peun, enter the army camp). Reclining Buddha Wat Kamphaeng clock Laeng Photikarong Rd. Bandai It Rd. Suriphan Rd. Temples of interest are Wat Yai Suwannaram (an Ratchadamnoen Rd. Ratchadamnoen to Wat Phetkasem Highway old ubosot, 18th C. murals and a library on a pond) Bandai It (300m) Damnoen Kasem Rd. and Wat Ko Kaeo Sutharam (18th C murals) and Wat Mahathat (Khmer-Ayutthayan prangs). Several Tha Hin Rd. of the temples have long wooden row houses (kuti) for monks. Wat Ko Kaew Sutharam Damrongrak Rd. The Buddhist shrines at Khao Luang (4 kms from 4 city centre) and Khao Bandai It (1.5 kms) are N military Ban Peun amongst the best examples of cave shrines common Palace (army) to the karsts and limestone hills of Phetchaburi and Oliver Hargreave Ratchaburi provinces. 0 500m Ratchadamri Rd. The highlight, however, remains the Phra Nakhon 3177 to Hat Chao Samran & Khiri Historical Park. A short cable-car ride takes coastal route you up to King Mongkut’s hill-top residence, which 3179 to Cha-Am Hua Hin to Cha-Am to H4 has been converted into a national museum, and to cobbled pathways shaded by plumeria trees 6 covering the summit. RATCHABURI – NAKHON PATHOM SECTION 3 : 101 kms. KANCHANABURI 3040 NORTHWEST to KANCHANBURI via RARATCHABURITCHABURI 324 346 3232 3455 Grand Garden GC 323 23 Muang Singh 1 3305 °“≠®π∫ÿ√’ 346 Historical Park 3229 18 KANCHANABURI Vajiralongkorn Dam KAMPHAENG SAEN Ban Kao National Museum 3229 °”·æß· π 3229 3394 1 Wat Tham Khao Noi 2 THA MUANG 3233 3085 321 3455 3 ∑à“¡à«ß 3036 KM64 17 THA MAKA ∑à“¡–°“ 323 ¥à“π¡–¢“¡‡µ’Ȭ 3429 1 Baanrai Rimkwai Resort DAN MAKHAM TIA 3209 π§√ª∞¡ & Hotel. $$ Tel: (0) 3465 4077-8 Evergreen Hills GC NAKHON PATHOM Fax: (0) 3465 4186 2 ∫â“π‚ªÉß Bkk rsvn: (0) 2643 1748-9 3 3273 BAN PONG River Kwai Botanic Garden [$$ 2 3361 3209 Mission Hills GC 3089 4 Tel: (0) 3465 4088 Fax: (0) 3465 4088 Ban Nong Tak Ya Bkk rsvn: (0) 2934 4909 ∫.ÀπÕßµ“°¬“ 3089 Fax: (0) 2934 4909 16 3357 Wat Khanon 3 The Legacy. $$-$$$ 4 Tel: (0) 1213 9872-6, Phetkasem Highway Uniland CC 3097 (0) 3451 6788 Khao Chong Phran (cave) ∫“ß·æ Bkk rsvn: (0) 2860 7602-9 BANG PHAE Phawothai Resort & 5 4 Ratchaburi CC Royal Villa PHOTHARAM Museum $$-$$$ 3274 6 Tel: (0) 3222 1189 (Mon-Thur), Ratchaburi CC ‚æ∏‘Ï∑“√“¡ recommended route Khao Chom Phon (cave) 3089 (0) 3239 5192-94 (Fri-Sun) 3236 Ratchaburi-Kanchanaburi 15 3237 Oliver Hargreave 3087 CHOM BUNG «πº÷Èß ®Õ¡∫÷ß 3087 SUAN PHUNG Khao Bin (cave) Bo Klung Hot Springs 3291 325 3087 Chatpawai 14 13 Wat Prasatsit ∫.™—ƪɓÀ«“¬ 3208 RATCHABURI ¥”‡π‘𠥫° 4 DAMNOEN SADUAK Kao Chan Falls √“™∫ÿ√’ 3313 Rama II Park ∫“ߧπ∑’ 35 3337 BANG KHONTHI 1 Grand Garden & Golf Club (H3229 KM18) Dragon Hills CC 7 4 Bkk Off. Tel: (0) 2243 5816-17 Fax: (0) 2243 5819 ª“°∑àÕ Rama II Road 2 Evergreen Hills Golf Club & Resort Bkk Off: PAK THO Tel: (0) 2941 2801-8 Fax: (0) 2941 2810 3093 12 SAMUT 3 Mission Hills Golf Club (H3209 KM23) SONGKHRAM Bkk Off: (0) 2719 8949 Fax: (0) 2719 8959 35 3206 ¡ÿ∑√ ߧ√“¡ 4 Uniland Golf & Country Club (H4 KM60) 11 N Tel: (0) 2477 8976-9 Fax: (0) 2477 9798 Õ—¡æ«“ 5 Ratchaburi Country Club (H3087 KM25) Tel: (0) 3226 1223-6 Bkk Off: (0) 2281 8591 Fax: (0) 2281 7294 recommended route AMPHAWA to floating market 10kms 6 Royal (Villa) Ratchaburi Country Club (H3089 KM7) Tel: (0) 3232 1061 ‡¢“¬âÕ¬ Bkk Off: (0) 2255 6482 Fax: (0) 2259 1634 KHAO YAI 7 Dragon Hills Golf & Country Club Tel: (0) 3226 1205-7 ∫â“π·À≈¡ Fax: (0) 3226 1207 Bkk rsvn: (0) 2541 4311 Sawang Resort GC 8 BAN LAEM 8 Sawang Resort Golf Club (H4 KM137) Tel: (0) 3249 9556-8 Fax: (0) 3249 9555 Bkk Off: (0) 2440 0245 ollow the route indicated (Pointers 14-18) for the Khao Chong Phran cave (H3089 KM18 north from Ratchaburi) F shortest route to Kanchanaburi (223 kms from Hua Hin) is noted for the flocks of bats which fly out of its mouth as avoiding the busy highways. The minor roads on the banks dusk falls. Wat Khanon (east bank of the Mae Khlong 3.5 of the Mae Khlong is also an interesting and tranquil kms north of Photharam) has preserved the traditions of alternative to busy highways 4 and 323. shadow puppets (demonstration 10:00 am Saturdays only). Ratchaburi The Floating Market at Damnoen Saduak The city of Ratchaburi is worth visiting for the National Though the market is for tourists, hiring a boat (300-700 Museum in the old city hall (08:30-16:30 Closed Mondays, Bt) to see the maze of canals in this area remains fascinating. Tuesdays & National Holidays) and the Khmer style of A return journey to the floating market from Hua Hin (145kms architecture at Wat Mahathat. one way) requires a very early start, as the market winds Several cave shrines are found in Ratchaburi Province. down after 11:00 hrs. www.budget.co.th 7 To reach the floating market, go to Pointer 11 to Photharam to Nakhon Pathom RATCHABURI 4 and take H35 (filter left for flyover east from H4 at (use H3291 for shorter route) Golden City Hotel (KM96) KM126— signposted Rama II Rd. to Samut H4 (original) Songkhram and Samut Sakhon. This is the main N route to Bangkok — expect heavy traffic at all 0 1 km 3087 times). At Pointer 12 (KM63) turn north onto H325 recommended route to Chom Bung, to Damnoen Saduak. Follow H325 through Samut Kanchanaburi Songkhram and north until KM25. Turn west at Pointer 13 (1km to main centre for renting boats) Ruan Phe 3291 A through route west from Damnoen Saduak 9 Wat Mahathat liver Hargreave can be taken to Ratchaburi (22kms) and to the National O Rama II Park near Amphawan, which contains a Museum well-preserved Ayutthayan style wooden palace. Mae Khlong River 4 3088 Suan Phung Krai Peha Rd. to Damneon Saduak The Bo Khlung Hot Springs and Kao Chan Si Suriyawong Rd. Falls (H3087 KM34+ south turn — 10 & 14kms. to Chat- pawai H Golden City Hotel $ 4WD only for Falls) together with small resorts Tel: (0) 3231 7140-4 3208 Provincial Hall offer quiet retreats in this less-developed area Fax: (0) 3231 7145 to Phetchaburi (65kms from Ratchaburi) to Sri Nakharin Dam, Routes between Bangkok and Kanchanaburi KANCHANABURI 1 RS Hotel $-$$$ 323 Erawan NP, Si Sawat, Tel: (0) 3462 5129-32 (198 Kms) to Sai Yok, Bo Phloi Thong Pha Phum Bkk rsvn: (0) 2291 9953-4 The most direct route between Bangkok and & Three Pagodas 1B Mittaphan Hotel $-$$$ Tel: (0) 3451 5906-8 Kanchanaburi is to use H338 and H4 to reach H323 3199 Bkk rsvn: (0) 2291 9953-4 (Pointers 19 &20), but there is no way to avoid 2 Duen Shine Resort (rafts) $-$$$ 24 Tel: (0) 3465 3369-70 the heavy traffic encountered within a 50km radius KM2 Bkk rsvn: (0) 2866 8180 of Bangkok. H346 (Pointers 21-23) takes a longer 3 Felix River Kwai $$$-$$$$ 3305 Tel: (0) 3451 5061 but less busy northerly route via Ban Len and Fax: (0) 3451 5095 Kamphaeng Saen. (see Budget’s Airport 1 4 Sam's House $ Tel: (0) 3451 5956 Fax: (0) 3451 2023 KHWAE YAI Castle Mall Routefinder Map for road information in Bangkok) 5 River Kwai Hotel $-$$ Tel: (0) 3451 3348-9 2 323 6 River Inn $ Tel: (0) 3462 1056 H4 (Phetchkasem Highway) Bridge over the River Khwae • Felix River Kwai $$$ - $$$$ ([5]5 Kanchanaburi) Provincial Hall Tel: (0) 3451 5061 Fax: (0) 3451 5095 E-mail: [email protected] to Wat Tham Khao Noi, 323 to Tha Muang, Vajiralongkorn Dam Nakhon Pathom, Ratchadamri 8 www.budget.co.th SONG PHI NONG ∫“߉∑√ BANG SAI BANGKOK - RATCHABURI Õßæ’ËπâÕß Bang Sai CC 1 3206 1 Bangsai Country Club (H311 KM16) ≈“¥∫—«À≈«ß 3309 Tel: (0) 3537 1494-6 Fax: (0) 3537 1491 3442 LAT BUA LUANG 3111 2 NCR Country Club Golf & Marina (H3422 KM14) Wat Phai Rong Wua Tel: (0) 3439 9012-4 Fax: (0) 3439 9013 321 3442 2 NCR CC 24 3 Dynasty Golf & Country Club (H346 KM58) Royal Folk Arts Tel: (0) 3439 1076-8 Fax: (0) 2434 5536 3231 & Craft Centre Bang Luang 4 Royal Gems & Sports Club 9 Tel: (0) 2441 9314-6 Fax: (0) 2441 9843 346 3040 347 5 Krisda City Golf Hills (H338 KM33) Tel: (0) 3423 2594-9 Fax: (0) 3423 2600 3232 ≈“¥À≈ÿ¡·°â« “¡‚§° Dynasty SAM KHOK 6 Rose Garden Golf Club (H4 KM32) LAT LUM KAEO Tel: (0) 3432 3770-1 Fax: (0) 3432 2768 3 22 346 Uniland Golf & Country Club (H4 KM60) ∫“߇≈π 7 21 Tel: (0) 2477 8976-9 Fax: (0) 2477 9798 23 346 BANG LEN 346 8 Ekachai Golf & Country Club (H3242 KM12) KAMPHAENG SAEN 340 PATHUM THANI Tel: (0) 2416 5557-8 Fax: (0) 2416 5559 °”·æß· π ª∑ÿ¡∏“π’ 306 3394 345 ∫“ß∫—«∑Õß 321 3233 BANG BUA THONG THA MAKA 3036 9 ∑à“¡–°“ Outer Ring Rd. (West) ππ∑∫ÿ√’ NONTHABURI π§√ª∞¡ Royal Gems NAKHON PATHOM 4 ∫â“π‚ªÉß π§√™—¬»√’ BAN PONG NAKHON CHAISI æÿ∑∏¡≥∑≈ PHUTTHAMONTHON 3089 4 338 Krisda Hills 5 Wat Khanon 20 3089 Thai Human Phutthamonthon 3357 Imagery Museum 19 æÿ∑∏¡≥∑≈ 7 6 Khao SAM PHRAN 3310 Chong Phran Uniland CC 3097 “¡æ√“π 4 (cave) Rose Garden ∫“ß·æ Phetkasem Highway BANG PHAE Samphran Elephant Ground 3414 PHOTHARAM °√–∑ÿ¡·∫π 3089 ‚æ∏‘Ï∑“√“¡ 35 BANGKOK Royal KRATHUM BAEN Ratchaburi CC. 3237 3236 3091 8 æ√– ¡ÿ∑√‡®¥’¬å Ekachai PHRA SAMUT CHEDI 3242 ∫â“π·æâ« argreave 3087 325 BAN PHAEO N ¡ÿ∑√ “§√ Oliver H 13 14 SAMUT SAKHON 10kms ¥”‡π‘𠥫° Wat Prasatsit 3208 DAMNOEN SADUAK RATCHABURI Rama II Rd. √“™∫ÿ√’ church 4 3088 BAN KHONTHI ∫“ߧπ∑’ 35 = Elevated roadway / tollway / Expressway to U-Thong, Suphan Buri to Bang Len NAKHON PATHOM Nakhon Pathom 3036 Nakhon Pathom is the site of Thailand’s largest stupa. Of 321 station particular note are the Buddha images surrounding Ratchadamri Rd. the outer wall round the stupa, Provincial Hall Ratchadamnoen Rd. Thesa Rd. as well as the adjacent national Maliraj M Rattabanrang museum (09:00-16:00 Closed Palace Phrapathomchedi Woramahawihan 4 Oliver Hargreave Mon-Tues. 30 Bt), Silpakorn University Ratchawithi Rd. 1 Museum 2 The Provincial Hall is part to Bangkok Yingpao Rd. of the spacious Sanam Chan 4 1 Nakorn Inn Hotel $ Palace built by King Rama VI. Tel: (0) 3425 1152-4 Fax: (0) 3425 4998 The Maliraj Rattabanrang 2 Whale Hotel $-$$ 3 N Phetchkasem Highway Tel: (0) 3425 3855-63 Fax: (0) 3425 3864 within the grounds may be E-mail: [email protected] 3 River Hotel $-$$ visited (09:00-16:00 Thurs- 0 1 km KM60 to Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi Tel: (0) 3428 0440-5 Fax: (0) 3425 0865 Sats. 30 Bht.). www.budget.co.th 9 KANCHANABURI SECTION 4 : 233 kms. THE THREE PAGODAS KANCHANABURI & SAI YOK C H A L O E M R A T T A N A K O S I N Chaloem Rattanakosin N. Park 3480 1 Huai Mae Khamin Falls Si Nakharin N. Park »√’ «— ¥‘Ï N. P A R K Green World GC SI SAWAT ÀπÕߪ√◊Õ 28 S I N A K H A R I N NONG PHRU 3306 Hin Dat Hot Springs Phathat Falls 1 Green World Hot Spring Resort & Golf Club N. P A R K (H323 KM106) Tel: (0) 3459 9210-1 3190 KM92 Fax: (0) 3459 9211 Bkk Off: (0) 2539 4613-6 2 Home Phu Toey Resort (H323 KM61)$$-$$$ 1 Bkk rsvn: (0) 2621 1510-3 Fax: (0) 2621 1514 Daowadung Cave 3199 3 Nichigo Resort & Country Club (H3199 KM9) $$-$$$ Tel: (0) 3451 3304 Fax: (0) 3451 3334 Bkk Off: (0) 2231 2681-3 Phrathat Cave 4 River Kwai (Milford) Golf & Country Club 2 Si Nakharin Dam (H323 KM40) $ Tel & Fax: (0) 3459 1037 Sai Yok N. Park Bkk Off: (0) 2235 2871-2 27 323 5 Grand Garden & Golf Club (H3229 KM18) S A I Y O K 8 $$-$$$ Bkk Off. Tel: (0) 2243 5816-17 Hellfire Pass Museum Home Phutoey Fax: (0) 2243 5819 Erawan Falls & N. Park 9 2 1 Suanthan Resort $ Tel: (0) 1908 0042 E R A W A N Bkk Tel: & Fax: (0) 2573 5138 N. P A R K ∫àÕæ≈Õ¬ BO PHLOI 3342 2 Saiyok View Raft $ Lawa Cave Off Tel: (0) 3451 4194 Fax: (0) 3451 5913 10 3 3 River Kwai Village $$ Tel: (0) 3463 454-6 N. P A R K Bkk rsvn: (0) 2251 7552 Fax: (0) 2255 2350 4 River Kwai Resotel $$-$$$ liver Hargreave 4 Nam Tok N O 5 Safari Park E-mail: [email protected] Tha Thung Na Dam Kanchanaburi KM12 H3229 to Ban Kao National Museum (Left turn anchanaburi City is interesting for its market and for 16kms. H3445 KM2. 08:30-16:30 closed Mons & Tues. 30 K the accommodation on or near the river, but it is most Bht..), which has a collection of artefacts dating from around famous for the ‘Bridge over the River Kwai’ (actually River 2000 BC, and the Khmer Ruins of Muang Singh Historical Khwae) and war-grave cemeteries of the ‘Death Railway’. Park (25 kms. H3445 KM11 30 Bht..). Continue north on sealed road for back route to Sai Yok and the Krasae Trestle. Nearby temples of interest include Wat Tham KM15 H3343 left to Sai Yok. Direct route to Wang Po Mangkongton (9 kms H3429 KM5) and Wat Tham Khao Noi station and the Krasae Trestle and Wat Tham Sua (17kms. South on H323 to Tha Muang — KM45 Paksaeng Pier (Left turn — 2kms) for boats to cross over the Vajiralongkorn Dam and turn right) Lawa Cave and raft accommodation upriver. Fill gas tank if near empty! The Valley of the Khwae Noi (H323 from Pointer 24) KM65 The Hellfire Pass Museum (Left turn 300m — see The Khmer ruins at Muang Singh attest to the strategic Death Railway) value of this valley as a route between Burma and Thailand. KM80. Saiyok National Park (Left turn — 3kms). Caves, Passing close to the ruins a thousand years later, the Death waterfalls, boats to Lawa Cave and raft accommodation. Railway brought an infamy which contrasts starkly with the KM84. Daowadung Cave (Turn left and follow road across beauty of the surrounding mountains. the river. Turn right at T junction with dirt road. Turn left at sign to temple after 1.3 kms and drive up concrete lane — 10 4kms). Probably the best caves to see. KM103. Phathat Falls (Right turn 12kms - THE DEATH RAILWAY unsealed after 6kms) — more impressive than The Death Railway is named for the more than 100,000 lives taken to build and maintain the Sai Yok Noi Falls, and, like all falls in the it between 1942 and 1945. Places to visit in Kanchanaburi include the JEATH Museum Kanchanaburi area, features layered steps (08:30-16:30 daily. 30 Bht.) and the Chongkai and Kanchanaburi War Grave Cemeteries. The created by calcium deposits. bridge over the Khwae Yai is especially popular during the sound and light show (held at the end of November — call TAT Kanchanaburi Tel: (0) 3451 1200 for details). KM105. NW turn to Hin Dat Hot Springs The trestle at Tham Krasae (near Wang Po Station, Sai Yok. H3343) has only partly been (400m on unsealed road back round to car modernised since the original structure was built by POWs. More remnants of the railway park) can be seen at Sai Yok Noi Falls (H323 KM46), which is 1km beyond the terminus of the KM109 A road NE leads to the Phu Sawan operational part of the line at Nam Tok Station. Train schedules are as follows: Falls (22kms. 4WD) and an unsealed route Kanchanaburi Dep Nam Tok Arr Nam Tok Dep Kanchanaburi Arr. (4WD only) to Huai Khamin Falls in the Sri 06:11 08:40 05:25 07:25 11:01 12:50 13:00 14:48 Nakharin National Park. 16:37 18:40 15:15 17:51 Jack Chalker’s unforgettable drawings, sketched when he was a POW, are on display in North-West to the Three Pagodas Pass a small memorial park at the Home Phutoey Resort (H323 KM61— call first for permission H323 to Sangkhla Buri and the Three to enter unless booked for a round of golf or overnight stay). Similarly impressive is a visit Pagodas Pass goes right at a T-junction to The Australian War Graves Museum at Hellfire pass (H323 KM65 09:00-16:00 daily. Donation) and the historical walk along the old roadbed (4.5kms). More remnants of the (KM125 Pointer 25. Kilometres are measured line can be seen at Sai Yok National Park (H323 KM80). from this point — no fuel till Sangkhla Buri!) Continue to Thong Pha Phum on H3273 for Muang Pilok (63kms). THONG PHA PHUM -THREE PAGODAS T H U N G Y A I N A R E S U A N The pretty journey along the (restricted) narrower (H323) road to Sangkhla Three Pagodas Pass W I L D L I F E R E S E R V E Buri and the Three Pagodas border crossing (86kms) is worthwhile if you —ߢ≈–∫ÿ√’ Takianthong Falls plan to explore the culture of the Mon SANGKHLABURI and other ethnic groups who inhabit the borderlands around the lake. Your Songkalia River Hut & Resort $ Wat Wiwekaram Tel: (0) 3459 5023-4 hotel/guest house in Sangkhla Buri Bkk rsvn: (0) 2896 2347 will be able to provide detailed information on what to see. Sakho Cave K H A O L A E M Khao Laem N. Park KM25 (H323) NE turn to Lam T H O N G P H A P H U M Khlong Ngu National Park (26kms N. P A R K 4WD). N A T I O N A L P A R K Dai Hong Tong Falls Kroeng Krawia Falls KM32 Dai Hong Tong Falls (SW turn —1.5 kms) L A E M K H L O N G N G U KM33. Kruangkrawia Falls (near Laem Khlong Ngu N. Park road) 323 N. P A R K KM40 Khae Laem National Park Khao Laem Dam HQ (near road) no fuel KM68 NW turn to Three Pagodas M Y A N M A R for 80 kms! ∑Õߺ“¿Ÿ¡‘ Pass at T junction (18kms). Straight N THONG PHA PHUM ahead for Sangkhla Buri (4kms) 25 Phasawan Falls 10kms ∫.ª≈ÁÕ° 3272 Pilok The Khwae Yai Valley and Erawan National Park (50kms) Take H3199 from Pointer 24 (Fork Green World GC left at pointer 27 through the dam Oliver Hargreave checkpoint after KM46 — 3.5kms) to go to the famous falls in the Erawan National Park. A 2km North to Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park (97kms) walk follows the course of the stream up the seven tiers of H3398 and H3086 lead north to Nong Phru (Pointers the falls. 26&28), passing Bo Phloi, a former gemstone mining area. Turn west at Nong Phru (KM63 — pointer 28), following Continue on the road on the west side of the lake to signs to Chaloem Rattanakosin National Park. The main Phra That Cave (10kms — part of Erawan National Park) features are a cave (Tham Lot Noi) with a stream running and the Huai Mae Khamin Falls in Sri Nakharin National through and a 2km walk upstream passing the Trai Trung Park (45kms—4WD) Falls to a spectacular sinkhole (Tham Lot Yai). KM23 (left turn 1.5kms) Nine Army Battle Historical KM23.(West turn) The Safari Park (09:00-18:00 Adults Park (09:30-11:30&14:30-16:30). 150/children 90 Bht. Elephant and crocodile shows scheduled between 11:00-16:00 hrs. Tel (0) 3462 8270-1) features a drive through zoo and a resort/theme park around a large restaurant. www.budget.co.th 11 See our web site o help you find your way through an unfamiliar landscape, Distances and turnings are indi- Remember to allow for emergencies Only indication prices for accom- cated by kilometre references, — always take drinking water. A torch modation are given, as rates change. which follow the kilometre stones can also be useful, as can an umbrella Be prepared for additional government placed on all government high- or warm clothing, depending on the taxes to be added onto a hotel bill. ways: season when you are travelling. Walk-in rates are indicated as follows: $ = 0-999 Baht H4 KM13 = Kilometre stone 13 is the Help us get it right! If you have $$ = 1000-2999 Baht nearest kilometre marker on suggestions or find serious errors in $$$ = 3000-5999 Baht Highway 4 (Phetkasem Highway). this guide, please advise our staff. $$$$ = 6000 Baht up (west turn — 3kms) = if you are travelling north, this means you INFORMATION should turn left and reach your NATIONAL PARKS destination after 3kms This guide is designed to com- Visitor centres at park HQs usu- plement regular guide-books. The Fill up with petrol! Remote country ally have brochures with maps detail- offices of the Tourism Authority of roads have no filling stations, or fuel ing sights, though English language Thailand (TAT — locations on the is only served by hand pumps from versions may not always be available. maps) at Cha-Am (Tel: (0) 3247 1005-6 barrels, which is inconvenient and There are board maps and walking Fax: (0) 3247 1502. E-mail: tatphet more expensive. Check your fuel trails are usually well-marked. @tat.or.th) and Kanchanaburi (Tel: (0) before leaving towns if planning to go Park accommodation can be 3451 2500 Fax: (0) 3251 1200) can also on a long, remote route through back spartan, and is not well set up for walk- provide useful information and roads or the border country. in trade unless you bring your own brochures. Alternatives routes may be tent and food. Prior reservation from the Forestry Department in Bangkok suggested, and it is up to you to decide ACCOMMODATION which road is best for you. Where is essential in the peak periods. Tel: (0) 2579 7223, (0) 2579 5734, possible, the suggested routes try to A range of places that stand out (0) 2561 4292-4 ext. 724&725. avoid busy main highways in order to for ambience are listed, but many other Foreigners are charged 200 Bht. help you cruise happily along the places on the map listings can be just (children 100 Bht.) entrance fee to holiday road in Thailand. as nice. We strongly advise pre-booking national parks in Thailand. If you can accommodation in the high season and Broken and buckled road produce a Thai driver’s license, you during festivals. surface frequently encountered! should be charged at the rate for Thai Travel with enough cash to get you people (20 Bht./adult). The entrance 4 WD (only)! If you are driving a to the next ATM machine (at banks in fee will allow you to enter all sites in vehicle that does not have four-wheel district towns). Credit cards are usually that park on that day. drive, please do not enter this road. only accepted by larger resorts/hotels. Though it is not usually necessary to engage 4WD on most dirt roads, the higher clearance and fortified À¬ÿ¥ suspension of such vehicles make their use obligatory on many unsealed roads À¬ÿ¥ in Thailand. µ√«® Dirt roads are common in border STOP NO PASSING STOP (POLICE) CHECK areas and in the mountains, and important unsealed routes are regularly maintained and classed as all-weather. In the green season, however, many roads can have deep muddy patches. ithin Design 0 5327 2111 We recommend that you avoid dirt greave ( (c) all rights reserved. Compiled by Oliver Har for WorldClass Rent A Car for WorldClass 12 www.budget.co.th Budget WorldClass Drives PHUKET, SAMUI & KRABI LOOP Highlights of the Drive 4006 KO PHANGAN G U L F O F T H A I L A N D his drive links Southern Thailand’s T two premier island destinations, A N D A M A N Ban Chaweng Mu Ko Ang Thong Phuket and Ko Samui. Section 1 of the S E A KAPOE THA CHANA KO SAMUI drive begins in Phuket and goes north Ban Nathon to Takua Pa, passing Khao Lak Lamru 4169 CHAIYA 4170 National Park and the increasingly Phum Riang 4 Ferry popular beach resort of Khao Lak. DON SAK THA CHANG 4142 From the old provincial district KANCHANADIT 4142 KHANOM KURA BURI 41 PHUNPHIN 4232 town of Takua Pa, section 2 strikes east- 4 401 4014 Hat Nai KHIRI SURAT 4010 wards to Surat Thani through one of RATTANIKHOM THANI Phlao 401 3 the most scenic areas along the drive. 4134 4100 Khao Sok Rachaphrapha 41 The route passes Khao Sok National KHIAN SA SICHON TAKUA PA Dam SAN NA DOEM 2 401 4106 Park, which offers eco-adventure BAN TAKHUN 4009 401 4133 amidst the stunning scenery that 4032 PHANOM BAN NA SAN 4188 4186 characterises the park. Krung Ching NOPPHITAM KAPONG 415 4140 THA Khao Lak WIANG SA (roads closed) SALA Section 3 begins at Surat Thani, a 4090 Lam Ru 4035 PHRA PHIPUN 4141 bustling provincial capital and harbour, 4240 4090 PHLAI PHRAYA 4016 4 4197 SAENG PHROMKHIRI 4013 4133 4015 5 and goes to car-ferry ports serving Ko 4 PHANG NGA 4035 CHAI BURI NAKHON SRI Hat Thai THAP PHUT 4228 Khao Samui and Ko Phangan. Muang THAM PHANNARA 4094 Luang THAMMARAT TAKUA 415 AO LUK 4037 CHAWANG CHANG THUNG 4196 4015KLANG Tha Dan Than Bok Khorani 4038 LAN SAKA 4013 From the port linking Ko Samui THAI MUANG 4 4039 4239 Ban Khok Kloi Khao Phanom KHAO PHANOM 4019 PHRA PHROM Ao Phang Nga 408 and the mainland, Section 4 of the drive 402 Bencha 4156 THUNG YAI 41 403 passes beach resorts close to Khanom 4037 4110 RON PHIBUN 4035 NA BON Sirinat 402 KO YAO 4038 CHALOEM and Sichon on the route south to THUNG PRAKIAT 4027 4034 NUA KHONG Nakhon Sri Thammarat, the ancient 4202 SONG CHULAPHON THALANG Khao Phra Thaeo 4 4038 4161 Buddhist capital of the south. Formerly Ban Choeng 402 6 KRABI 4151 Thalae 4025 4036 BANG KHIAN known as Ligor, the city has much for 1 Hat Nopparat Thara & RATSADA Patong PHUKET Mu Ko Phi Phi KHLONG THOM 41 visitors interested in culture and cui- 4233 4021 4206 Ban Chalong HUAI YOT sine. 4239 KO PHI PHI 4063 4164 Heading west from Nakhon Sri 4046 Thammarat to Krabi, section 5 first Marine National Park passes Khao Luang National Park, National Park 4 where impressive waterfalls highlight Oliver Hargreave the influence of the 1835m peak on the geography of the area. The drive then continues through rolling back- ROADS IN THAILAND country filled with rubber and oil-palm plantations. All main and most minor roads are sealed. Signs and reflective markers warn of hazards on major highways, and sodium lighting illuminates major The route from Krabi in section 6 intersections. Bilingual (English/Thai) road signs indicate destinations, high- once again strikes the march of karst way numbers and distances before and after intersections. Kilometre stones formations which give Phang Nga Bay show highway number and distance along the road on the front face, and its spectacular identity. After passing distances to destinations in the direction of travel on the side. The police and Phang Nga itself, the drive turns south military set up road check-points on highways, especially at night, but there for the final run back to Phuket. are no security problems. For instructions, please see the back Please remember to drive on the left! page. Happy trails! Emergency Assistance 1-800-BUDGET, Phuket Airport Office (0) 7620 5396 Samui Airport Office (0) 7742 7188, Krabi Office (0) 7569 1938 Online Bookings: www.budget.co.th Our fastest way to rent a car www.budget.co.th 1 PHUKET SECTION 1 : 134 kms. TAKUA PA North 1 POINTER ONE PHUKET to TAKUA PA to Ranong Khao Sok Intersection of Thung Khra Rd and National Park Thepkrasatri Rd, Phuket Town. Go north 4 Õ.µ–°—Ë«ªÉ“ 1 on the main route (H402) out of Phuket To Surat Thani TAKUA PA City. (see Phuket City detail map) 8 Ban Talat Takua Pa 401 Bangsak 2 POINTER TWO 4032 (section 2) Beach Resort H4022 comes from Ha Yaek Chalong (the fastest route from Kata, Karon, and Similana 4022 2 Rawai beaches) joining H402 from Chalong Phuket City Phuket City. Go North. (see Phuket Is- Õ.°–ªß land map) Khao KAPONG Lak Beach Lam Ru 3 POINTER THREE Khao Lak Lam Ru Falls National Park 4025 4027 H4025 joins H402 from Ban Choeng Thap Talae at the Heroines Monument. Go Lamu Poseidon 4090 3 north. H4027 east passes the National Ban Thung 402 Museum and the Gibbon project. Maphrao 4240 4090 4 4 POINTER FOUR 7 ®.æ—ßß“ 4 Lam Pi Falls 402 H4030 from Laguna, Surin and Patong Hat Thai Muang PHANG NGA Manohra Phang Nga Valley Resort 4030 National Park beaches joins H402 at the intersection and Khao Lam Pi Falls Ton Sai Falls to National Park Wat Tham Suwankhuha with traffic lights in Thalang. Go north. Krabi 6 415 4 The road east goes to Ton Sai Falls in Tha Dan (section 6) Thai Muang THAI Õ.µ–°—Ë«∑ÿàß the Khao Phra Taeo National Park Beach Golf MUANG TAKUA THUNG Phang Nga Bay Õ.∑⓬‡À¡◊Õß Resort Hotel KM40 left turn on H402 (old road) to the Sirinath Na- 4 tional Park and local restaurants at Mai Kao Beach. Cross the strait on the older Sarasin bridge to rejoin the main 5 highway. Ban Khok Kloi Ao Phang Nga 3 kms north of the bridge an east turn offers an alter- Marine National Park Phisalai 402 Resort native route to Phang Nga Bay for via Khlong Kian. A west turn takes you to local coastal roads via Dusit Hot Springs, House on The Bay Bo Dan Beach and Thung Sai beaches to the district town Ban Khlong Kian (amphoe) of Thai Muang. 402 Sirinat Marine 5 POINTER FIVE National Park Takua Pa Nai Yang 4 H4 KM7. H402 joins H4 - the Petchkasem 4027 (H4) Highway - at Ban Khok Khloi. The high- beach Phang Nga Khao Phra Thaeo Krabi way goes north to Takua Pa and east to 4031 National Park 5 Phang Nga. Go north at Ban Khok Kloi 4 THALANG Laguna Õ.∂≈“ß if following the route in the order laid 4030 402 Phuket (H402) Ban Choeng 4025 out in this guide. Thalae 3 2 Õ.°√–∑Ÿâ Takua Pa 6 POINTER SIX National Park. KATHU 4 Patong 1 ®.¿Ÿ‡°Áµ Thai Muang KM24 Thai Muang. Go north (right) at 4028 PHUKET Beach Golf 4233 5 the lights on main highway. The road Karon Local coast road west leads to the beach and Hat Thai 4021 4021 Phuket (H4) Muang Lam Phi National Park HQ. Ban Chalong 10 kms Kata KM32-33 Lamphi Falls. Right turn 2 kms. 4239 Rawai Oliver Hargreave 2 www.budget.co.th Takua Pa 7 POINTER SEVEN PHUKET ISLAND 4 (Ban Thung Maphrao) H4 KM39. H4 bypasses Ban Thung to Takua Pa 4240 Kapong Sirinth Nation Park Phang Nga Club Med To Chalong Phang Nga Maphrao and the turn off on H4240 east. Kata Beach Roundabout (local style restaurants) H4240 offers a shorter alternative inland 500 m 7 route via Kapong to Khao Sok National Mai Kao Beach The Boat thouse Phuket Park, missing Khao Lak and Takua Pa 402 (see Kapong Area map and section 2. Fill up with gas before to Naiharn & Promthep to Kata Noi Beach taking this route). Budget Airport Office R Tel: (0) 7620 5396 Yacht Haven KM51-52 Left (west) turn for Thap Lamu, the starting Nai Yang Beach point for boat trips (usually booked in Phuket) to the Similan Islands. One-day trips to the Similans are available starting at 07:30 am from Met Sine Travel & Tour, Thap Lamu 0 1 2 3 4 kms. 402 Tel: (0) 7644 3276 KM53-54. Left turn to Poseidon Bungalows $ - offers 1 Nai Thon three-day live-aboard boat tours to the Similan for 4031 G Gibbon Project Ao Po Beach Bang Pae Falls snorkelling. Tel: (0) 7644 3258. www.similantour.nu KM56 Khao Lak Lamru National Park Headquarters (of- Õ.∂≈“ß 4 fers inexpensive huts, a day-hike into the forest to Chong THALANG Ton Sai Falls Laguna Khao Phra Thaeo Fah Falls and a pleasant restaurant in a shady grove over- 2 G National Park 4027 looking the sea). Bang Tao Beach 4030 Surin & Pansea 8 POINTER EIGHT Beach Ban Choeng 3 4025 Ranong Thalae Heriones & Surat Thani Laem Sing Beach Boat Lagoon Follow the highway left at the traffic Phuket Fantasea National Museum Kamala lights in Takua Pa by the Phra Narai Dulwich International College S 2 (Vishnu) monument (see detail map). Right on H4032 goes to Ban Talat Takua Kathu Falls 8 4032 3 Pa, a small, sleepy market that was a G (H4) Nakalae Beach Õ.°√–∑Ÿâ former centre for tin-mining. Kalim Beach KATHU Patong 4028 Si Rae Soi Bangla R 1 G 4 ACCOMMODATION Budget Patong Office 4233 (Club Andaman) Tel: (0) 7629 6592 • Khao Lak Bayfront Resort. (H4. KM57-58)$$ - $$ $ PHUKET TOWN Tel: (0) 7642 0111-17. E-mail Phuket City Govt. 1. Imperial Hotel Offices 2. Pearl 3. Royal Phuket City 4. Thavorn Grand Plaza 5. Sweet & Sour Phra Narai Old Highst St. 6. Khrua Thai (Ratsada Centre) Saphan Hin 8 H4021 to Chalong & Rawai (section 1) H 4 to Phuket H 4032 to Kapong (H4090) Oliver Hargreave 4023 500 m H4023 to Phanwa Cape & Marine Biological Research Station Oliver Hargreave 3 TAKUA PA SECTION 2 : 158 kms. SURAT THANI Oliver Hargreave Õ.‰™¬“ CHAIYA G U L F O F T H A I L A N D Phum Riang Õ.∑à“©“ß 4112 THA CHANG 10 20 kms Õ.°“≠®π¥‘…∞å Õ.§ÿ√–∫ÿ√’ KANCHANADIT 41 Õ.æŸπæ‘π 9 A N D M S E KURA BURI PHUNPHIN 8 401 Õ.§’√’√—∞π‘§¡ SURAT 4 THANI KHIRI 6 4010 RATTANIKHOM 7 ®. ÿ√“…Æ√å∏“π’ G 401 5 Tapee Glof 4134 4100 41 Rachaphrapha Õ.∫â“π𓇥‘¡ Khao Sok Dam Õ.µ–°—Ë«ªÉ“ 4 SAN NA DOEM Õ.æπ¡ KHIAN SA TAKUA PA 401 BAN TAKHUN 4009 2 PHANOM Õ.‡§’¬π™“ 1 ∫â“πµ“¢ÿπ (07:00-23:00) Ban Talat 3 4133 Õ.∫â“ππ“ “√ Takua Pa BAN NA SAN 4032 Krung Ching KAPONG 415 Õ.°–ªß Õ.‡«’¬ß √– WIANG SA Khao Lak 4090 Õ.摪Ÿπ Lam Ru Wat Raputatham 4035 PHRA Thap Lamu SAENG PHIPUN 4240 4090 PHLAI PHRAYA Õ.æ√–· ß 4 4197 Ban Thung Õ.ª≈“¬æ√–¬“ Maphrao 4133 4015 4 THAP PHUT CHAI BURI 4035 Hat Thai Õ.∑—∫ªÿ¥ Õ.™—¬∫ÿ√’ Õ.∂È”æ√√≥π√“ 4228 4094 Muang PHANG NGA THAM PHANNARA Khao Õ.µ–°—Ë«∑ÿàß 415 CHAWANG Õ.™â“ß°≈“ß ®.æ—ßß“ Õ.Õà“«≈÷° CHANG Lam Pi TAKUA 4037 Õ.©«“ß Tha Dan AO LUK KLANG THAI MUANG THUNG Than Bok Khorani 4196 4015 4039 Õ.∑⓬‡À¡◊Õß 4038 4239 4 Market & 1 Bus Station POINTER ONE H401 KM110-109 Khao Sok National Park offers trek- 4 Cross the bridge taking H4 across Khlong king, rafting, elephant rides and tree-top bungalows. Book Le just to the north of Takua Pa. Fill up at the National Park Office for rafts on the lake (see Khao 1 with petrol before leaving Takua Pa. Sok detail map) H401 KM72-71 H4118 south from Phanom to Thap Phut District (see section 6) offers a rural route to Phang Nga for Ranong 2 POINTER TWO (H4) a shorter tour. Takua Pa 4 H4 goes north to Ranong at T junction 2 401 past KM166. Go straight on H401 to Surat Surat Thani 4 POINTER FOUR Surat Thani Thani. Takua Pa 4 401 415 H401 KM65-64 Go straight east at T Krabi junction with H415 to Thap Phut 3 POINTER THREE Phang Nga Phuket District (see section 6) 3 135 401 H401 KM135 Go straight on H401. H4090 4090 Alternative Route South takes an inland route to Phang KM58-9 Left turn west for Rachaphrapha Dam and a To Kapong & To Kapong Phang Nga Nga via Kapong. At KM131-2 approx, an pretty view over the lake towards limestone ridges. Boat unmarked sealed road south from H401 trips are available to rafts (pre-book accommodation on is the end/start of shorter inland route ending at Pointer 7 raft at Khao Sok National Park HQ) section 1 (see Kapong Area map) 4 www.budget.co.th to Takua Pa to Khao Sok 8 POINTER EIGHT Surat Thani National Park KAPONG AREA Nakhon S.T. Surat Thani 401 H401 KM12 approx. crosses H4009 to 8 Na San. Go straight on H401. To visit 4009 Na San the Khao Thapet Nature Wildlife Centre 3 Khao Taphet 135 go south on H4009 (5kms). 4032 √æ™ 401 Port 9 POINTER NINE Surat Thani 401 H401 rejoins the old road through the Nakhon S.T. 9 centre of town at KM19 approx. Go right (east). bypass ACCOMMODATION 4090 • See detail maps for accommodation details in Khao Sok and Surat Thani. A further 87 kms from pointer 9 takes 0 4 kms you to Nai Phlao Beach near Khanom, where several pleasant resorts allow you to enjoy seaside accommo- KAPONG dation without crossing over to the islands (see section Õ.°–ªß 4175 3 Khanom Area map). Old Tin mining area 21 (narrow lane) National Park HQ (narrow lane) KHAO SOK Park Visitor Centre Nature Restaurant Our Jungle √æ™ Hin Lat Falls (guides brochures) House New road 3.3 km (loose stone track and cement Tree Tops lane access to Lam Ru Falls Nung House Janpha To Thai Muang (H4240) 25 Lam Ru Falls River Huts 4 kms from H4090) Natty Seafood Nature Rest Resort and Phang Nga (H4090) Oliver Hargreave Bamboo House Art's River l View Lodge ai Khao Sok Tr River Lodge Khao Sok Rainforest Resort Freedom Camp 5 POINTER FIVE Khao Sok Chumpon Bamboo House 2 Jungle Huts Surat Thani Guest House Freedom Resort 401 H401 KM19-18. H401 crosses main Takua Pa 5 north-south trunk route H41. Go straight Park Building Phuket 41 (H401) east at traffic lights to Surat Thani and Pantoorat Mtn. Lodge Thung Song km 109 401 Phun Phin. 100 m to Takua Pa, Phuket to Phanom, Surat Thani Approximate scale Go north on H41 to Chaiya (40 kms) to visit Wat Suan Oliver Hargreave Mokha Palaram (meditation centre), Phra Borromathat Chaiya (A chedi and museum with artefacts dat- ing back to the Srivijaya period) and the weaving 8 SURAT THANI 9 village of Phum Riang. Return to Phun Phin and 10 1. TAT Office (Tourism Authority -information) RESTAURANTS Surat Thani by the less busy rural route H4112. Tel: (0) 7728 1828, (0) 7728 8817 7. Sun Hiang (Chinese) Pak Nam Tapi Tourist Police 281300 8. Ruan Thai (Seafood) 2. Post Office & Telephone 9. Ruan Tapi (Seafood) HOTELS 10. Ban Khun Pu (Thai) 3. Wang Tai Hotel . Sriwichai Rd. $ Phun 6 POINTER SIX Tel: (0) 7728 3020-39 Fax: (0) 7728 1007 Phin 4153 (2 kms) 4. Siam Thani . Sriwichai Rd. $-$$ 401 H401 is joined by H4153, the Tel: (0) 7727 3081 Fax: (0) 7727 3081 Surat Thani 5. Siam Thara . Don Nok & Talat Mai Rd. $ 6 (8 kms) Tel: (0) 7727 3740-3 direct main route from Surat 6 6. Southern Star Hotel . Kanchanawiti Rd. $$ Kanchanawiti Rd. 9 Takua Pa Thani north to H41, at a T junc- Tel: (0) 7721 6414 Fax: (0) 7721 6427 (H401) tion with lights. Turn right 401 Talat Mai Rd. to Kanchanadit 7 (east) to continue on H401 (N.B. no signs marked 2 Ferry Ko Samui this junction in any direction at time of writing). Footbridge Nakhon Sri Thammarat 5 Stadium 7 POINTER SEVEN 1 3 Wiphawadi Army Surat Thani Camp (Golf) Phun H401 KM8 approx. H401 by- Phi Bipass 7 Kanchanadit passes Surat Thani. Turn left . 401 Sichon d R Nakhon S.T. i to enter town at lights (see de- a h c i tail map). go straight to con- w i r 401 S 8 tinue on drive. to Phunphin Takua Pa 4 401 2 kms Bypass 4009 to Khao Thaphet Nature centre 7 Na San Oliver Hargreave www.budget.co.th 5 SURAT THANI SECTION 3 : 100 kms. KO SAMUI & KHANOM Port 1 POINTER ONE Surat Thani H401 rejoins the old road 401 KO PHANGAN Nakhon S.T. through the centre of 1 town at KM19 approx. bypass G U L F O F T H A I L A N D Go right (east). Thong Sala KM22 Monkey Training Centre - south 3 kms. KM30-1 Wat Tham Khuha - south 1.5 kms Mu Ko Ang Thong Ban KO SAMUI Chaweng Õ.‡°“– ¡ÿ¬ Ban Nathon 2 POINTER TWO 9 Kanchanadit 4169 H401 KM32-33 Go 20 kms 2 Straight at intersection 4170 401 CHAIYA Nakhon S.T. with H4010 to Kancha- F E R R Y 4010 nadit. Road becomes Phum Riang Õ.¥Õπ —° single lane highway. DON SAK 5 3 POINTER THREE 4 Õ.°“≠®π¥‘…∞å 4142 Õ.¢πÕ¡ KHANOM H401 KM60-61 Go KANCHA 4142 Don Sak left on H4142 and NADIT 6 24 Ferries to 2 3 4142 Ko Samui 1 60 4232 Ko Phangan follow signs to Ferry 401 3 rest area 401 Pier Samui. (see Kha- SURAT Hat Nai Nakhon S.T. 4014 Phlao nom Area map for THANI 4010 rural routes between ®. ÿ√“…Æ√å∏“π’ Don Sak & Khanom). 85 If going to Hat Nai Phlao, Khanom, go 4134 straight on H401 to KM85 and turn left onto Oliver Hargreave H4014 for a shorter alternative route. 6 POINTER SIX H4142 KM19-20 Follow the signposted short cut right 4142 to the Ferry for Ko Samui and turn right when rejoining 6 H4142 terminates at KM46+ with H4014. H4142 (See area map), or keep on original H4142 to visit Khanom Nai Phlao Left on H4014 goes to Khanom and Nai Don Sak and Wat Khao Suwan Pradit (left turn west at 4014 Beach Sichon Phlao Beach. Go right for Sichon and Nakhon S.T. KM22-21). Nakhon Sri Thammarat to continue on the drive. Surat Thani Don Sak 4 POINTER FOUR Ferry Ko Samui 4 H4142 KM27-28 left turn for the Ferry to FERRY DON SAK - SAMUI 4142 Ko Samui 2kms. Don Sak Office (0) 7737 1205-6, (0) 7737 1151 Khanom Nakhon S.T. Samui Office (0) 7742 3190-1, (0) 7742 3026 H4142 KM30-31 Left turn to Ban Bo Kam and quiet Vehicle+driver one-way 180Bt Passengers extra beach. Local huts available Don Sak-Samui Samui-Don Sak 08:00 (80 min.) 06:00 5 5 POINTER FIVE 10:00 08:00 H4142 KM34-35 Intersection with sealed 12:00 10:00 Ferryline 14:00 12:00 4142 road (built under the accelerated rural 35 development program.). Go straight for 16:00 14:00 Khanom Hat Nai Phlao and Sichon, or go left and 17:00 15:00 follow sealed road for approx 9 kms along a circuitous route 18:00 17:00 for Ferryline, which serves Ko Samui and Ko Phangan (4WD 19:00* 18:00* only on Ko Phangan). *runs only if sufficient traffic 6 www.budget.co.th KO SAMUI ACCOMMODATION Mae Nam Beach • (see Khanom Area map for locations Choeng Mon near Hat Nai Phlao) 1 Beach Big Buddha of Ko Fan • Le Royal Meridien $$$ $ Ban Taling Paradise Beach Resort Bo Phut Beach Bang Rak Harbour Ngam, Ko Samui. Tel: (0) 7742 3019- Beach 4171 22 Fax: (0) 7742 3220 • Paradise Beach Resort $$$ Hat Mae Budget Airport Office R Tel: (0) 7742 7188 Nam, Ko Samui. Tel: (0) 7724 7227 Fax: (0) 7742 5290. Ban Nathon 2 E-mail 401 To Na Khon sri Thammarat Wildlife 85 Conservation Tong Yung Bay to Nakhon S.T. (section 4) area Oliver Hargreave 7 KO SAMUI SECTION 4 : 102 kms. NAKHON SRI THAMMARAT 1 POINTER ONE Don Sak Ferry Ko Samui NAKHON SRI THAMMARAT KO PHANGAN Surat Thani 401 1 H4142 KM27-28 Turn Thong Sala left for Khanom, Sichon To Sichon G U L F O F T H A I L A N D 4142 Khanom Nakhon S.T. and Nakhon Sri Tham- Surat Thani marat Koh Samui Mu Ko Ang Thong Ban (section 4) Chaweng Õ.‡°“– ¡ÿ¬ KO SAMUI 2 POINTER TWO Ban Nathon 9 H4142 terminates at 4169 4142 KM46+ with H4014 at 2 4170 Nakhon Khanom KM12. Go right (south) Garden Inn Nai Phlao 6 4014 Beach Pak Nakhon To Õ.¥Õπ —° Ferry Ko Samui for Sichon and Nakhon Sichon DON SAK Ferry line Nakhon S.T. Sri Thammarat. (see Thai Hotel Grand Park Hotel Khanom Area map sec- Food Night Market Boworn Bazaar 1 Õ.¢πÕ¡ 4142 4142 KHANOM tion 3). 20 kms To H4016 and H4015 2 Key Point 12 & Krabi 1 4232 3 POINTER THREE Hat Nai Khanom (section 5) 4010 4014 Surat Thani Phlao 3 401 H4014 terminates at TAT City Wall remnants 85 H401 KM85. Go left for Office 3 Sichon Nakhon S.T. Sichon and Nakhon Sri Thammarat SICHON Shiva (west) & Hat Hin Ngam Vishnu (east) Shrines 4105 H401 KM104. The road left through Pattakan Rd. Sichon heads for Hat Hin Ngam and the 401 Provincial Hall & beaches just to the south of Sichon (see Phra Sihing Shrine 4188 4186 Õ.π∫摵” Sichon Area map section 3). NOPPHITAM . d R H401 KM122 bypasses Tha Sala. At n Krung Ching Falls Õ.∑à“»“≈“ e o 4140 n THA SALA m Soi Sri Thammasok 3 (no through roads) KM124-5 H4140 right goes to Nop Phitam a d a h Ban Nang c t and Krung Ching Falls (47 kms). a Thalung 4141 4 R Õ.摪Ÿπ Palace Suchart Subsin Airport Wat Phra Mahathat PHIPUN 4016 Õ.æ√À¡§’√’ 5 4 POINTER FOUR Woramahaviharn 4094 PHROMKHIRI 4103 Surat Thani 6 Phrom Lok Falls NAKHON SRI Go straight on H401 at THAMMARAT 4 Khao Ban Pak the intersection with Luang Nakhon 4103 H4103. Take H4103 as LAN SAKA 4013 401 bypass an alternative route to Ban Chandi Õ.≈“π –°“ Thung Song PHRA PHROM avoid Nakhon Sri Tham- National Museum Õ.æ√–æ√À¡ Nakhon S.T. 408 marat (see pointer 2, sec- Twin 403 Lotus Oliver Hargreave tion 5). (H401) 5 POINTER FIVE 5 H401 terminates at Fort Vachirawut, Tha Phae. Follow H4012 south. Army 4012 camp 462 Nakhon S.T. 6 6 POINTER SIX To Thung Song Trang & Krabi 403 Station Pak Nakhon H4012. KM 11 Approx. Turn right for ‘Station’ at sign above 408 To Songkhla Oliver Hargreave 4102 traffic lights. (See Nakhon Sri Thammarat detail map) Songkhla • Grand Park Hotel, Pak Nakhon Rd. $-$$ Tel: (0) 7531 7666-73 Fax: (0) 7531 7674 • Nakhon Garden Inn, Pak Nakhon Rd. $ Tel: (0) 7534 4831-5 Fax: (0) 7534 2926 • Thai Hotel (new wing), Ratchadamnoen Rd. $-$$ Tel: (0) 7534 1509 Fax: (0) 7534 4858 • The Twin Lotus Hotel, Pattanakan Rd. $$ 8 Tel: (0) 7532 3777 Fax: (0) 7532 3821 NAKHON SRI THAMMARAT SECTION 5 : 176 kms. KRABI BAN NA SAN NAKHON SRI THAMMARAT to KRABI Õ.∫â“ππ“ “√ 4186 Õ.π∫摵” Krung Ching NOP PHITAM 4015 Falls Õ.∑à“»“≈“ 4140 415 Õ.‡«’¬ß √– (no through roads) THA SALA Wat Tham Suwankhuha WIANG Õ.∑—∫ªÿ¥ THAP PHUT Wat Ratupatham 4035 PHRA Õ.摪Ÿπ 4141 SAENG PHIPUN Palace 4197 Õ.™—¬∫ÿ√’ Phrom Lok 4016 Airport 4 CHAI BURI Õ.æ√–· ß Falls Tha Phae 4133 4194 Manohra Falls Õ.æ√À¡§’√’ 4103 Ban Pak Ban Khlong 1 Nakhon 4035 Õ.©«“ß 4015 1835 m. PHROMKHIRI PHANG NGA Õ.∂È”æ√√≥π√“ Chandi Karom 415 ®.æ—ßß“ CHAWANG THAM PHANNARAT Khao Luang Falls NAKHON SRI AO LUKÕ.Õà“«≈÷° °‘ËßÕ.™â“ß°≈“ß 3 2 THAMMARAT Tha Dan CHANG KLANG Than Bok Khorani 4195 4 4039 4015 ®.π§√»√’∏√√¡√“™ National Park 4038 Õ.≈“π –°“ Ban Chandi LANSAKA 4013 Õ.‡¢“æπ¡ 6 4019 Ban Lak Chang Õ.æ√–æ√À¡ 7 KHAO PHANOM PHRA PHROM THUNG YAI 5 403 4156 41 1350 m. Õ.∑àÿß„À≠à Khao Phanom Õ.∑àÿß ß 408 Bencha National Park 4110 THUNG Õ.√àÕπæ‘∫Ÿ≈¬å NA BON SONG RON PHIBUN R 4037 Wat Tham Sua 4038 Õ.π“∫Õπ 10 Krabi Airport 4133 4116AMPHOE Ban Khlong 4015 4034 9 NUA KHLONG THUNG YAI Chandi °‘ËßÕ.™â“ß°≈“ß 4202 Õ.‡Àπ◊Õ§≈Õß To Khao 4038 Phanom / Krabi CHANG 20 kms 8 To H.41 Ao Nang Beach 4 LAMTAP 4151 4 KLANG 4156 (KM 210) 4195 KRABI 4038 Õ.≈”∑—∫ 4015 4038 ®.°√–∫’Ë 4036 Ban Chandi To BANGKhlong KHAN Õ.§≈Õß∑àÕ¡ Õ.∫“ߢ—π 5 Hat Nopparat Thara & KHLONG THOM Thom 41 4110 6 To H.41 Ban Lak Chang Mu Ko Phi Phi Mrine National Park 4019 To Thung Song 4019 (KM 205) 41 Oliver Hargreave 1 POINTER ONE long. A wire cable serves as a handrail for the final very Commercial centre This intersection is marked by lights and steep 400m. trail to the main falls. Take food with you for overhead pedestrian crossings. Turn the trip — very basic supplies only at the small park site. 4016 1 west onto Karom Rd (H4016) from H4015 KM20. Right turn to Khao Luang National Park and Karom Falls (3 kms) Pedestrian bridge Ratchadamnoen Rd. and go west across Old City the railway. H4015 KM27-8 Tha Phae Falls right (2kms.) 4 POINTER FOUR 2 POINTER TWO Surat Thani H4015 KM44 Left turn onto H4019 signed 4103 H4016 KM4-5 crosses H4103. Go straight 4015 4016 2 44 Ban Lak Chang and Route 41. Follow Lan Saka Nakhon S.T (west) to follow the route in this guide. (city) 4 Nakhon S.T signs to Route 41 on H4019 and ignore Go left (south) for an alternative (20kms 4019 Thung Song further signs to Lak Chang. H4015 to longer) route to Thung Yai via Thung Lak Chang Route41 Thung Yai Chawang and Na San is an alternative Song. From Thung Song, go to Thung Yai on H4110. inland route to Ko Samui. 3 POINTER THREE 4016 5 POINTER FIVE 41 H4016 KM8-9. Go left on H4015 signed 4019 Thung Yai H41 turn left (south) and do U-turn to 4015 5 Krabi & Phuket (NB. No more road signs 4019 3 Lak Chang return on northbound lane. Take care! Lan Saka Chawang Nakhon S.T. indicate Krabi as a destination till Khao Nakhon S.T. Thung Yai Go on H 4019 left (west) to Thung Yai. Phanom) Thung Song H4016 goes north to Ban Na Raeng, Nop Phitam and Phra Saeng 6 POINTER SIX Krung Ching (H4186), passing side roads to Phrom Lok 24 Khao Phanom H4019 intersects with H4110. Go Falls (KM21-2 west 5kms.) and Muang Nakhon Palace 4156 6 Lak straight west on H4156 to Khao (KM24-5 east 2 kms. Palace opens 08:00-17:00 and closes 4110 Chang 4038 Nakhon Phanom. Check petrol and fill up if on Wednesdays and for lunch 12:00-13:00). Khlong Thom (Ko Lanta) Thung Song nearing empty at Thung Yai! The nature trail to Krung Ching Falls (61 kms. from pointer 3 to Park Office and start of nature trail) is 4kms www.budget.co.th 9 Chai Buri to Khao Phanom Bencha to Wat Tham Sua 7 POINTER SEVEN KRABI National Park 4037 Thung Yai 7 H4156 joins H4037 KM20-21 to Phang Nga at T-junction with lights. Turn (section 6) Nua Khlong left (south) onto H4037. to Airport Krabi 4 Khlong Thom & Thung yai 4 8 POINTER EIGHT Khao Phanom 9 4037 H4037 joins H4 KM98-7 at a T 10 8 Krabi junction with lights. Turn right Khlong Thom 4 (west) for Krabi. 4200 411 to Hat Noppharat Thara H4 KM99-100 Krabi Airport right (north) National Park 4034 H4 KM106-7 Wat Tham Sua right turn 2 kms. Krabi Meritime Hotel Climb 1,272 steps to the top of a karst and an impressive view. H4 KM108 approx. Right turn to Khao Phanom Bencha National Park (20 kms) and Huai To Falls. 9 POINTER NINE Phang Nga Khlong Thom 4 9 H4 KM108-9 left turn for main TAT Office access road to Krabi Town downtown Krabi 4 kms. shopping area Post Office Telephone Boats to Phi Phi Island 10 POINTER TEN Phang Nga Phuket H4 KM110-111 turns sharply Krabi 10 Khlong Thom Local restaurants 4 (H4) north at junction with H4200. 1 2 kms Turn right for Phang Nga & 4200 Krabi Phuket and left for Hat Hat Noppharat Thara National Park Oliver Hargreave Noppharat Thara National Park (see Krabi Area map) to Phang Nga & Phuket KRABI AREA (503) ACCOMMODATION 1. Dawn of Happiness Resort. $ Su San Hoi Beach, Krabi. Tel: (0) 7561 2730 4033 • Krabi Meritime Hotel. $$- 2. Dusit Rayavadee Resort Hotel. $$$$ Phra-Rai 4034 Wat Tham Sua Leh Beaches, Krabi. Tel: (0) 7562 0740-3 Fax: (0) 7562 0630 $$$ Tungfah Rd, Krabi. 3. Railay Bay Bungalows, Rai Lae Beach. $-$$ Tel: (0) 7561 1474-6 Fax: Tel: (0) 7561 1944-5 ex 411. Sand Sea Resort, Rat 4 Lae Beach (0) 1228 4426, (0) 7562 2167-8 Fax: (0) 7562 2168 to Airport (0) 7561 2992 4. Felix Phra Nang Inn $$ Ao Nang Beach, Krabi. Khlong Thom & • Ban Ao Nang $$Ao Nang Tel: (0) 7563 7130-33 Fax: (0) 7563 7134-5 E-mail: [email protected]. 1 Thung Yai Beach, Krabi: Tel:&Fax: 5. Krabi Resort $$-$$$ Ao Nang Beach, Krabi. 4 (0) 7563 7071-4 Tel: (0) 7563 7030-5 Fax: (0) 7563 7051 15 • Ao Nang Pakkasai Resort pier quarry 4200 411 $$ Ao Nang Beach, Krabi. Tel: (0) 7563 7777 Fax: (0) 4034 Krabi Meritime 7563 7637 Elephant Camp Hotel • Andaman Holiday Resort $$$ Khlong Muang 4204 Beach, Krabi. Tel: (0) 7564 4202 4321-3 Fax: (0) 7564 4320 Andaman Holiday Resort 4201 KRABI Park HQ Hat Noppharat Thara E-mail 3 2 Rai Leh Beach Limestone Karst / High Ground 01 2 3 4 5 kms. Oliver Hargreave 10 www.budget.co.th KRABI-PHANG NGA SECTION 6 : 185 kms. PHUKET 1 POINTER ONE Khao Lak 4118 Phang Nga 4090 415 Phuket Lam Ru Wat Ratupatham (H4) 4035 Krabi Õ.ª≈“¬æ√–¬“ 4 Khlong Thom 1 4240 4090 3 2 PHLAI PHRAYA Ban Thung 4 4197 Õ.™—¬∫ÿ√’ 4200 Maphrao Krabi 4 CHAI BURI Hat Noppharat Thara Phang Nga THAP PHUT Õ.∑—∫ªÿ¥ National Park Hat Thai Lam Pi Falls Valley Resort 4035 Muang Wat Tham PHANG NGA H4 KM110-111 turns sharply north Khao Suwankhuha 4 415 ®.æ—ßß“ Õ.Õà“«≈÷° at junction with H4200. Go north for Lam Pi Õ.µ–°—Ë«∑ÿàß Phang Nga Bay Resort AO LUK 4037 THAI MUANG TAKUATHUNG Phang Nga & Phuket Õ.∑⓬‡À¡◊Õß Tha Dan Than Bok Khorani 4 4039 5 Õ.‡¢“æπ¡ H4 KM148-9 Ao Luk intersection. Ban Khok Kloi KHAO PHANOM Ao Phang Nga Khao Phanom Left turn on H4039 for Tham Bok 402 Bencha National Park Khorani National Park 4 kms. House on the Bay 4037 Ban khlong Kian Sirinat 402 2 POINTER TWO Wat Tham Sua Airport Õ.‡°“–¬“« 1 KO YAO Airport Surat Thani 4034 NUA KHONG 415 4027 4202 Õ.∂≈“ß Khao Phra Thaeo Phuket THALANG KRABI 4 Phang Nga 2 Krabi 4036 (H4) 402 4040 Ban Choeng ®.°√–∫’Ë 4025 Ban Pak Lao Thalae Hat Nopparat Thara & H4 KM164-5 Intersection with H415. Patong Mu Ko Phi Phi KHLONG THOM Go straight for Phang Nga and PHUKET Õ.§≈Õß∑àÕ¡ 4233 4021 ®.¿Ÿ‡°Áµ Phuket. North on H415 is the fastest 4206 route from Phang Nga and Phuket Karon Ban Chalong Kata 4239 to Surat Thani, Ko Samui, Chumphon Rawai and Bangkok. KO PHI PHI H4 KM168-9 Right on H4118 to Wat Ratupatham, a temple with Buddhist sculpture and architecture 20 kms on a monumental scale (11 kms) Oliver Hargreave 3 POINTER THREE OdKM 28 kms. left turn for back route to Khlong Kian. Takua Pa Kapong 4 H4 KM169 Turn left onto H415 to Phang Thai Muang 3 Nga. H4 follows the original route to Takua Pa 5 POINTER FIVE 415 Krabi (H4) Phang Nga over an inland pass and is 4 (H4) H4 KM7 Bang Khok Kloi. H4 turns Phang Nga the fastest way to Thai Muang, Khao Lak beach 5 Phang Nga Phuket Krabi sharply north. Go left (south) at T junc- and Takua Pa via H4090 (see section 1) 402 tion with H402 and drive south to Phuket Phuket (see section 1) 4 POINTER FOUR Welcome to Phuket! Phang Nga H415 rejoins H4 at a T junction. Turn left (south) for Phuket. (NB. Kilometre Krabi 4 415 stones were removed for road improve- 4 ACCOMMODATION Phuket ments at time of research. Distance read- ings are estimated by vehicle odometer • Phang Nga Valley Resort. $ - $$ Just south of Phang Nga —OdKM—south from this junction) Town. Tel: (0) 7641 1353 Fax: (0) 7641 1393. • Phang Nga Bay Resort Hotel. $ - $$ Tha Dan, Pang Nga OdKM2-3 left for Phang Nga bay at Tha Dan (3kms), Tel: (0) 7641 2067 Fax: (0) 7641 2057 the first of several small harbours which offer boat trips • House on the Bay Resort $ , Khlong Kian, Phang Nga. around Phang Nga Bay. Tel: & Fax: (0) 7635 1326 Mobile: (0) 1490 3449 OdKM4 right turn to Wat Tham Suwan Khuha 2 kms. OdKM9-10 Takua Tung District - left turn at corner for boat services around Phang Nga Bay. A new cut on the road (once completed) bypasses this town. www.budget.co.th 11 INSTRUCTIONS umbered pointers listed in sequence in the direction of travel show you Go this way Highway Number N when you have to make a turn at important junctions along the recom- 4 mended route (reverse these if travelling in the opposite direction). Some inter- Pointer number and direction 3 of travel sections and turns where English language signs are absent may also include descriptions to help you visually check you have the correct turning. Kilometre references are noted in tive route directions show you where ACCOMMODATION two ways: you may take your own route using information found only on the maps. This guide lists selected upper and mid- H4 KM13 = Highway 4 kilometre stone level places to stay. Guest House/lo- 13 is close to the point of focus 4 WD Only! If you are driving a cal style accommodation is plentiful in H4 KM98-9 = The point of focus lies vehicle that does not have four wheel main destinations and more places to between kilometre stones 98&99. drive, please do not take this road. stay are shown on the maps. Prices are Where kilometre stones were ab- When driving driving off-road, please indicated as follows: sent at time of research, kilometres drive slowly to avoid mechanical prob- 5000 Baht + are referenced by odometer lems and to keep the dust down when 3000-5000 Baht (OdKM). passing people and communities. 1000-3000 Baht less than 1000 Baht KM99 A point of interest or side Remember to always take enough Pre-booking accommodation for the trip off the recommended route is drinking water - allow for emergencies high season and during festivals is rec- located near this kilometre stone. ommended. Further suggestions for Regular guide-books for the area will Help us get it right! In order that places to stay as well as images of sug- give further information. we may continually improve our ser- gested accommodation can be found vice to our customers, please advise on the internet: Alternative route The direction our staff of errors or make suggestions SYMBOL LIST À¬ÿ¥ Main Road À¬ÿ¥ µ√«® Minor Road Unsealed Road Suggested Routes STOP NO PASSING STOP (POLICE) CHECK River Provincial Capital District 0 Pointer Traffic Lights SLIPPERY ROAD STEEP HILL FALLING ROCKS Kilometre 100 (LAND SLIDE) 100 Temple For reservations, please contact your Park travel consultant or call Budget: Water Fall Hot Springs. In the U.K.: 01800-181-181 In the U.S.: (800) 527-0700 0 Hotel/Resort/Guest House In Germany: 89 666-950 Hospital In Australia: 13-28-48 In Singapore: 532-4442 Gas Station In Thailand: 1-800-BUDGET 0 Restaurant G Golf Club 12 www.budget.co.th