8 October 2025
Out & about with my son Jason for a ride.
Jason rides an Xerox 155 and does grab delivery in Chiang Mai, but struggles to survive & make enough money.
Its been wet the last couple of months, so no biz & I invited him to stay in Chiang Khong for a break to rest, recharge batteries & hang out with his old man on the Khong for a bit,
Plus to get him to scan all my old photos from the last 40 years, before it is too late.
The masterplan for the day ride up to Doi Pha Tang via R1155 & R4029.
Then ride the R1093 ridge line road to Phu Chi Fah for lunch, then down R1093 to R1155 at the Phaen Din Thong Army Checkpoint.
maps.app.goo.gl
It maybe interesting for some that this checkpoint is 400 metres North from the Charoensuk resort, where they currently have a huge Hmong "talad nut" market every Saturday?
maps.app.goo.gl
On a 155 scooter with small wheels it can be a bit of a challenge at time.
The R4029 Viewpoint
maps.app.goo.gl
A magic spot for a father & son photo, out riding on the Laos border.
And I must say it a joy to be out riding with my son - great bonding.
Jason was a total star looking after when I was incapacitated from my accident in 2022.
(Ooops done it again. A David Unk crash.)
On the long climb up just before the Singapore road turn off, we encountered some snot on the road.
I didn’t get far and broke traction, trying to gently feed the power on, but could not get going again.
Jason almost made it through.
Fortunately there was a PEA truck also stuck on the snot & he too could not get going again.
Fortunate it was as there was a rescue towing team to retrieve the truck, so both Jason & I were able to get their assistance to support us as we duck paddled the 50 metes through the snot.
You may laugh at my snot riding incompetence below.
Note the truck alongside with a tow rope attached.
I was not alone.
At Doi Pha Tang, my fave granny at the Doi Pha Tang Skyview was away in Chiang Rai, so Jason & I moved on towards Phu Chi Fah.
The R1093 bailey bridge of 2 years.
A significant R1093 landslip.
The locals said there had been a huge rain storm at Doi Pha Tang - Phu Ci Fah two nights earlier, and the severity of the rain was confirmed by the multiple sections with water flowing across R1093, frequent dirt and mud across the road, from the mud filled roadside drains.
If only the highways department would be more pro active clearing out the roadside drains.....
The rain eventually came for the last 10 km into Phu Chi Fah to be damp and greasy.
Aoy Pochana is the #1 restaurant in PCF.
(Phu Chi Fa Restaurants)
The view from here is always stupendous.
Run by some Hmong gals it still is the place to go for meal in PCF, although dare I say it seems to have new Hmong ownership and would not appear to be as good as the previous "original owners" that I knew.
The good news is that the Hmong gals also confirm 19/20 December as the start of Hmong new Year.
The rain stopped at PCF so we trundled off down the hill.
The Chuan Chom coffee was the designated "new spot" to hit on the way down.
A smart little open-air wood cafe that's been open for 2 years, but because it is so close to PCF you're always on the gas going or coming.
Today was the day.
maps.app.goo.gl
There must be something in the water there, or is it no 7-11s with junk food.
This young gal had the most amazing, perfect skin I thought.
Perhaps the secret is just eating natural, home grown food?
The resident cat took an immediate liking to Jason, so he was easily contented and didn't need any drinks.
I ordered an iced coffee and waited, and waited and waited.
We were not in a rush.
The shop owner raced off on her bike, and we thought she's probably gone to buy coffee or ice.
But nope, she went to the school to pick up her son.
Ahem, do you have any coffee?
Yes we do, would you like one?
Yes please an ice coffee.
Ok no problem, but you didn't order one!
55. But both Jason and I were sure I did.
We had a chuckle together and continued to enjoyed the view
To be continued, plodding along.
Out & about with my son Jason for a ride.
Jason rides an Xerox 155 and does grab delivery in Chiang Mai, but struggles to survive & make enough money.
Its been wet the last couple of months, so no biz & I invited him to stay in Chiang Khong for a break to rest, recharge batteries & hang out with his old man on the Khong for a bit,
Plus to get him to scan all my old photos from the last 40 years, before it is too late.
The masterplan for the day ride up to Doi Pha Tang via R1155 & R4029.
Then ride the R1093 ridge line road to Phu Chi Fah for lunch, then down R1093 to R1155 at the Phaen Din Thong Army Checkpoint.
จุดสกัดบ้านแผ่นดินทอง · V92J+67R, Tap Tao, Thoeng District, Chiang Rai 57160, Thailand
★★★★★ · Military base
maps.app.goo.gl
It maybe interesting for some that this checkpoint is 400 metres North from the Charoensuk resort, where they currently have a huge Hmong "talad nut" market every Saturday?
Chareonsuk Resort · 221 1, Tap Tao, Thoeng District, Chiang Rai 57160, Thailand
★★★★☆ · Cottage
maps.app.goo.gl
On a 155 scooter with small wheels it can be a bit of a challenge at time.
The R4029 Viewpoint
19°56'54.7"N 100°29'18.6"E · 19.948528, 100.488500
maps.app.goo.gl
A magic spot for a father & son photo, out riding on the Laos border.
And I must say it a joy to be out riding with my son - great bonding.
Jason was a total star looking after when I was incapacitated from my accident in 2022.
(Ooops done it again. A David Unk crash.)
On the long climb up just before the Singapore road turn off, we encountered some snot on the road.
I didn’t get far and broke traction, trying to gently feed the power on, but could not get going again.
Jason almost made it through.
Fortunately there was a PEA truck also stuck on the snot & he too could not get going again.
Fortunate it was as there was a rescue towing team to retrieve the truck, so both Jason & I were able to get their assistance to support us as we duck paddled the 50 metes through the snot.
You may laugh at my snot riding incompetence below.
Note the truck alongside with a tow rope attached.
I was not alone.
At Doi Pha Tang, my fave granny at the Doi Pha Tang Skyview was away in Chiang Rai, so Jason & I moved on towards Phu Chi Fah.
The R1093 bailey bridge of 2 years.
A significant R1093 landslip.
The locals said there had been a huge rain storm at Doi Pha Tang - Phu Ci Fah two nights earlier, and the severity of the rain was confirmed by the multiple sections with water flowing across R1093, frequent dirt and mud across the road, from the mud filled roadside drains.
If only the highways department would be more pro active clearing out the roadside drains.....
The rain eventually came for the last 10 km into Phu Chi Fah to be damp and greasy.
Aoy Pochana is the #1 restaurant in PCF.
(Phu Chi Fa Restaurants)
The view from here is always stupendous.
Run by some Hmong gals it still is the place to go for meal in PCF, although dare I say it seems to have new Hmong ownership and would not appear to be as good as the previous "original owners" that I knew.
The good news is that the Hmong gals also confirm 19/20 December as the start of Hmong new Year.
The rain stopped at PCF so we trundled off down the hill.
The Chuan Chom coffee was the designated "new spot" to hit on the way down.
A smart little open-air wood cafe that's been open for 2 years, but because it is so close to PCF you're always on the gas going or coming.
Today was the day.
ชวนชม · VC87+M4F Unnamed Road Tap Tao, Wiang Kaen District, Chiang Rai 57310, Thailand
★★★★★ · Coffee shop
maps.app.goo.gl
There must be something in the water there, or is it no 7-11s with junk food.
This young gal had the most amazing, perfect skin I thought.
Perhaps the secret is just eating natural, home grown food?
The resident cat took an immediate liking to Jason, so he was easily contented and didn't need any drinks.
I ordered an iced coffee and waited, and waited and waited.
We were not in a rush.
The shop owner raced off on her bike, and we thought she's probably gone to buy coffee or ice.
But nope, she went to the school to pick up her son.
Ahem, do you have any coffee?
Yes we do, would you like one?
Yes please an ice coffee.
Ok no problem, but you didn't order one!
55. But both Jason and I were sure I did.
We had a chuckle together and continued to enjoyed the view
To be continued, plodding along.
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