Tour De Kanchanaburi August 2018

I started planning the trip immediately upon returning to Singapore after my solo motorbike trip to Thailand in February 2018. I was very fortunate to be introduced to a group of season motorbike tourers on my previous trip to Endau Rompin Selai National Park in Johor with the Liqui Moly Adventures participants. With information and guidance of Bro Anjang Ismail, managed to get some info on places to visit in Kanchanaburi. Tips were also gathered from Bro Roslin Kummin and some other friends too. Dates were set from 4 August to 19 August 2018; and ready to explore the wonders of Kanchanaburi. At a very last minute before the trip, Bang Omm from Selangor, Malaysia, decided to tag along whom I accepted with an opened arms.

Day 1 – 4th August 2018

Left Singapore at 7.30 am to Selangor. Visited Pak Ngah Ishak residence, before continuing the journey to M Avenue Hotel in Shah Alam, Selangor for a night stay at RM88. Some friends came to the hotel to visit me. Total distance covered – 415 km.

Day 2 – 5th August 2018

Visited Bro Nazari and wife at Setia Alam McDonald Restaurant and Bro Kamarulzaman and wife at Damansara Shell KFC RnR before retiring at Bang Omm’s Residence. Total distance 70 km.

Day 3 – 6th August 2018

Entering Thailand via Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration Checkpoint. Total distance was 540 km.

Day 4 – 7th August 2018

We had promised to meet up Bro Acid Mustaffa who currently on his way back to Malaysia on his long bicycle touring. We met him at Khiriwong and camped by the river at Indy Khiriwong Camping Base, Nakhon Si Thammarat. Total distance for the day was 295 km. Along the way, we visited Phatthalung Route 41, a favourite resting haven for most bike tourers using Route 41, Asian Highway 2 (AH2).

Day 5 – 8th August 2018

Bro Acid heading south and I will be heading north. Together with him were 2 local touring friends. Along Route 4015, we stopped to take photo at the cleanest air – The Best Ozone in Thailand. Arrived in Chumphon. One of my favourite destinations in the Land of Smiles and headed straight to Fareda Halal Food to have out late lunch cum dinner. We retired at Go Green Resort at 480 baht. Total distance was 335 km.

Day 6 – 9th August 2018 – Kanchanaburi

At last, we reached our main destination, Kanchanaburi where we will spent few days to explore the jewels and attractions within the province. We took our dinner before taking a walk at the nearby Bridge On the River Kwae. We retired at S-Hotel Kanchanaburi at 575 baht. Total distance 495 km.

Day 7 – 10th August 2018 – The Exploration

The Exploration of Kanchanaburi Province beguns. We checked-out of the hotel at 11.15 am and headed to Dawudha Islamic Restaurant for our brunch.

Our first destination was The Hell Fire Pass along Route 323.

There are no longer any trains running on this stretch of the line. The nearest railway station is at Nam Tok Sai Yok Noi, where trains of the State Railway of Thailand can be boarded for a trip over the Whampo Viaduct and across the bridge over the River Kwai to Kanchanaburi, which is the nearest major town and tourist base. Visitors to the museum usually base themselves in Kanchanaburi.

Entrance to the majestic Vajiralongkorn Dam along Route 3272.

Vajiralongkorn Dam, known formerly as Khao Laem Dam is a multi-purpose dam under the Development of Mae Klong River Basin Project. The result of the feasibility study conducted by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and foreign experts revealed that the Khao Laem area in Tha Khanun Sub-district, Thong Pha Phum District was an appropriate site for a dam construction. The opening ceremony of the dam was performed by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn on January 9, 1986. Since 2001, the dam has been named “Vajiralongkorn” after the Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn (presently His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun.)
Sources : Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.

It was a day well-spent with beautiful scenic route along the way. We finally retired at The Rabbit House at Thong Pha Phum at 650 baht. Total distance fro the day was 170 km.

Day 8 – 11th August 2018

Weather was not on our side. We planned to visit the Pilok Village and retired at Baan E-Tong. However, we were advised by the hotel owner and some locals to cancel our trip there as the weather forecast stated that it will be a heavy downpour at this areas making the roads wet and slippery. So as not to endanger our lives, we changed our plan heading to Sangkhla Buri. I will definitely return to explore the Pilok Village in the future, InShaAllah.

Day 9 – 12th August 2018

It was a wet day. Raining gears were worn as we started to head to Srinakharin Dam which was situated in Tha Kradan, Si Sawat District. Erawan National Park which housed the famous Erawan Waterfalls was also within the areas. It was like killing a bird with two stones! God Gracious, the views from the Dam crest were magnificent! We took some photos before heading to Erawan National Park. The entrance fees for foreigners is 300 baht and 20 baht for motorcycle. I only went to view the 1st to 3rd falls out of 7. We proceeded back to Kanchanaburi town to see for ourselves, how big was the Giant Rain Tree, one of the attractions if you are in Kanchanaburi. Lastly, we stopped by the famous Bridge Over River Kwae to snap photos on the other side of the bridge. As time was getting late, we decided to just stay in Kanchanaburi and retired at U Dee Room & Coffee.

We finally retired at U Dee Room & Coffee, Kanchaburi at 650 baht. We traveled 648 km for 3 days.

Day 10 – 13th August 2018

The weather looks good! Before leaving Kanchanaburi, had breakfast at Dawudcha Restaurant. Decided to take a different route to Prachuap Khiri Khan instead of AH2. Explore route 3429, 6067, 3357, 3089 and stumbled upon Khao Ngu Stone Park at Ko Phlappla, Ratchaburi. We stopped to rest.

Next we headed to an unnamed road, followed by routes 4013, 3206, 3510 to Petchaburi. At the junction where we supposed to turn left, saw a sign “Kaeng Krachan National Park”. We turned right to explore the route and was welcomed by another dam crest, Kraeng Krachan Lake. The wind at the dam crest was quite strong. we continued to explore taking route 2062, 3432, 3301, 3218 n continue AH2 to our destination. Somewhere along route 2062 n 3432, we discovered another dam which looked like the extention of Kaeng Kra Chan Lake. We were overwhelmed with the discovery.

We retired at Baan Pak Sokjai at Prachuap Khiri Khan. Then the rains started pouring heavily!

Day 11 – 14th August 2018

Coastal routes at Prachuap Khiri Khan.

We retired at Like Residence Hotel, Suratthani at 485 baht. Total distance 390 km.

Day 12 – 15th August 2018

Today, we parted ways. Bang Omm will be going to Hatyai taking Route 41 and myself will be exploring the coastal routes to Songkhla. Taking the scenic route 401 into Nakhon Si Thammarat, Hua Sai, Songkhla was awesome. Not much heavy vehicles thus making my ride more enjoyable. Pictures tell a thousand words. Not much discovery, only memories to brought back home. Though my objectives to explore Kanchanaburi were met, I decided to explore coastal routes til reaching home… Remember that I still need to ride more than 1000 km to Singapore. May Allah ease my journey.

Have my bike check and changed engine oil at my favourite bikeshop in Suratthani, GT Superbikes. EO at 560 baht.

I finally retired at Kaoseng Resort, Songkhla at 400 baht. Total distance 350 km.

Day 13 – 16th August 2018

“Unexplored longer routes, leads to beautiful places….”

Today decided to go to Patthani to meet up with a friend and his family. The last time I met them, was during my Bicycle Touring around the Peninsula Malaysia and Hatyai about 3 years ago. They drove to Hatyai to meet us. So why not, this time around I pay them a visit. For sure, we will have something to share later at night.

I continued to explore the coastal routes from Songkhla to Patthani. It was an amazing scenic and quiet routes til I reached Chana. From there, the normal Route 42 led me to the City of Patthani. I explored the City for about 1 hour before looking for a place to stay. There were many roadblocks entering the City. You just have to obey the city limits and the “purposely” malfunctioning traffic lights. Most of the locals are Muslim. Paradise Hotel, at the heart of the City Centre will be my nest for tonight.. As for food, please don’t ask me.. I retired at Paradise Hotel Pattani at 480 baht.

Day 14 – 17th August 2018

Today ride was about going home. Decided to explore new routes rather than the routes I have taken to exit Thailand. So far, I have used Wang Prachan – Wang Kelian, Padang Besar, Sadao – Bukit Kayu Hitam and Betong – Bukit Berapit. That left me with Durian Burung Kota Putra, Ban Buketa – Bukit Bunga, Su-ngai Kolok – Rantau Panjang and Tak Bai. Tak Bai is definitely out if you are an overlander. So I have to make a choice.

While plotting the routes, noticed an indication of The 300 years old mosque – Masjid Wadi al Hussain in Narathiwat. Su-ngai Kolok Border Checkpoint will be my destination. The historic Masjid Kerisik (Krue Sek Mosque) is another place I want to go along the way.

Reaching Su-ngai Kolok Town at 2.30 pm. Talked to some locals, since it was a Friday, a pasar malam (nite markets) will be available tonight. Since I have ever stayed in Kelantan n Perak often, decided to stay in Su-ngai Kolok to see the happenings! Genting Hotel is my preference before leaving The Land of Smiles tomorrow. Genting Hotel, Su-Ngai Kolok, Narathiwat at 690 baht. For 2 days, I only traveled 300 km.

Day 15 – 18th August 2018

Entering Malaysia from Rantau Panjang. Objective was to stay a night in Pahang before the home run to Singapore.

Day 16 – 19th August 2018 – Home Run

Reached home at about 5.30 pm. Total distance from Kekunang Tering Chalet was 268 km.

Total distance for the whole trip was about 4950 km. Total expenses for 16 days / 15 Nights was SGD$700 (16,315 baht or MYR 2,110). Expenses includes petrol, food, accommodations, gifts n souvenirs, servicing of motorcycle.

I will be back again to Kanchanaburi to “settle some unfinished business” which I have planned but could not be carried out due to the weather during the trip. Live to dream..

Dream to experience, Explore to discover!