GTR Up-Country Dinner # 1 - Mae Chaem

DavidFL · Oct 12, 2010

Next one should be the 1ST GT RIDER RENDEZVOUS RIDE up-country on
SATURDAY 23Rd October.
at a town to be decided……

The designated rendezvous town:

MAE CHAEM
Saturday 23rd October.

GETTING TO MAE CHAEM - RIDE OPTIONS
1. Mae Chaem from Doi Inthanon
• Doi Inthanon direct via Chomthong
• Doi Inthanon via Khun Wang
• Get to Khun Wang from Sanpathong &Mae Wang
• Get to Khun Wang from Samoeng & Bo Kaew
2. Mae Chaem via Hot & Ob Luang
3. Mae Chaem from Khun Yuam via Mae Na Chon
Not sure where these places are - consult a GT Rider Mae Hong Son Loop map.

Mae Hong Son Loop Map

The Mae Hong Son Loop Map – GT Rider Touring Map The GT Rider guide map to Thailand’s rugged North-west frontier on the Burma border. This map covers Asia’s legendary Motorcycle Loop – The

www.thegtrider.com

and

Mae Chaem Attractions

Mae Chaem attractions are that its a long-established rural town, surrounded by mountains, on the western side of Doi Inthanon. The scenery is therefore mountainous, with waterfalls aplenty! Temples

www.thegtrider.com

Mae Chaem Photos & Trip Report

Wet season: pottering around the Mae Hong Son Loop

Wet season: 5 nights 6 days on the Mae Hong Son Loop Dates: Monday 16th August - Saturday 21st August 2010. WHY The need for a quick ride ‘n photo cruise before the Africa Twin’s engine gets stripped down for an overhaul after 100,000 kms. THE RIDERS Backdoorphil & Robert H, Chiang Mai – Mae...

www.gt-rider.com

GT Rider Mae Chaem website

Mae Chaem Attractions

Mae Chaem attractions are that its a long-established rural town, surrounded by mountains, on the western side of Doi Inthanon. The scenery is therefore mountainous, with waterfalls aplenty! Temples

www.thegtrider.com

MAE CHAEM ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Mae Chaem Accommodation

Mae Chaem Resort 104/4 Sud Sanit Road, Tambon Chang-Kueng, Amphur Mae Chaem Phone 053-828025 084-4828454 Mae Chaem resort bungalows Mae Chaem resort bungalows Mae Chaem resort bungalows Mae Chaem resort bungalows Mae Chaem resort bungalows 500 baht for air con bungalows 300 baht...

www.gt-rider.com

Tel: +66 (0)53 828477 Fax: +66 (0)53 828228
ポラッシュは公式サイトが最安値？楽天やアマゾンを調査してみた
2. Mae Chaem Resort
Phone 053-828025 084-4828454

Mae Chaem Accommodation

Mae Chaem Resort 104/4 Sud Sanit Road, Tambon Chang-Kueng, Amphur Mae Chaem Phone 053-828025 084-4828454 Mae Chaem resort bungalows Mae Chaem resort bungalows Mae Chaem resort bungalows Mae Chaem resort bungalows Mae Chaem resort bungalows 500 baht for air con bungalows 300 baht...

www.gt-rider.com

3. Chaem Muang Resort
http://www.khattiyasurin.com/chaemmuang ... outus.html
4. Pongsara Resort

Pick & book your own accommodation, or take a chance & just roll up.

FOOD & DRINK

HAPPY HOUR
5.30PM-ish at Noi Na’s Sawadee Mae Chaem

Mae Chaem Restaurants

First choice in town is the Sikon Sikon restaurant - Mae Chaem Straight opposite the entrance to Mae Chaem Hotel - Resort Sikon restaurant - Mae Chaem GPS Waypoint: N18 30.103 E98 21.691 Sikon restaurant - Mae Chaem Popular, fresh food & top value for money. Sikon restaurant - Mae...

www.gt-rider.com

DINNER
At The Nam Neung start 7.30-8PM-ish (the old Krua Lai Hin restaurant)
East of town & next to the Pongsara Resort
GPS Waypoint: N18 29.667 E98 22.487
Look for the Krua Lai Hin restaurant on the GT Rider Mae Chaem city map.

Wet season: pottering around the Mae Hong Son Loop

Wet season: 5 nights 6 days on the Mae Hong Son Loop Dates: Monday 16th August - Saturday 21st August 2010. WHY The need for a quick ride ‘n photo cruise before the Africa Twin’s engine gets stripped down for an overhaul after 100,000 kms. THE RIDERS Backdoorphil & Robert H, Chiang Mai – Mae...

www.gt-rider.com

ENJOY
Start from wherever & whenever you want (set off a day earlier even).
Ride at your own pace.
Enjoy the ride, or smell the roses – please yourself.
Just meet up in the evening in a delightful quiet country town, to enjoy each other company talking bikes & the day’s ride you’ve had.

NOTE
It will be ok phansa that weekend so there could be some nice tamboons / festivals at some of the beautiful temples in Mae Chaem. Go earlier & spend 2 nights in Mae Chaem?

Ride & enjoy the good life in North Thailand.

See you all on the road.

DavidFL · Oct 15, 2010

Davidfl wrote:

Next one should be the 1ST GT RIDER RENDEZVOUS RIDE up-country on
SATURDAY 23Rd October.
at a town to be decided……

Click to expand...

The designated rendezvous town:

MAE CHAEM
Saturday 23rd October.

GETTING TO MAE CHAEM - RIDE OPTIONS
1. Mae Chaem from Doi Inthanon
• Doi Inthanon direct via Chomthong
• Doi Inthanon via Khun Wang
• Get to Khun Wang from Sanpathong &Mae Wang
• Get to Khun Wang from Samoeng & Bo Kaew
2. Mae Chaem via Hot & Ob Luang
3. Mae Chaem from Khun Yuam via Mae Na Chon
Not sure where these places are - consult a GT Rider Mae Hong Son Loop map.
https://www.gt-rider.com/maps-of-thailan ... -guide-map
and
http://www.mae-chaem.com/information/ma ... cation-map

Mae Chaem Photos & Trip Report
wet-season-pottering-around-the-mae-hong-son-loop-t8457.html

GT Rider Mae Chaem website
Mae Chaem

MAE CHAEM ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
mae-chaem-accommodation-t8437.html#p49824
1. Navasoung Resort
Tel: +66 (0)53 828477 Fax: +66 (0)53 828228
http://www.navasoungresort.com/
2. Mae Chaem Resort
Phone 053-828025 084-4828454
mae-chaem-accommodation-t8437.html
3. Chaem Muang Resort
http://www.khattiyasurin.com/chaemmuang ... outus.html
4. Pongsara Resort

Pick & book your own accommodation, or take a chance & just roll up.

FOOD & DRINK

HAPPY HOUR
5.30PM-ish at Noi Na’s Sawadee Mae Chaem
mae-chaem-restaurants-t8436.html

DINNER
At The Nam Neung start 7.30-8PM-ish (the old Krua Lai Hin restaurant)
East of town & next to the Pongsara Resort
GPS Waypoint: N18 29.667 E98 22.487
Look for the Krua Lai Hin restaurant on the GT Rider Mae Chaem city map.

wet-season-pottering-around-the-mae-hong-son-loop-t8457.html

ENJOY
Start from wherever & whenever you want (set off a day earlier even).
Ride at your own pace.
Enjoy the ride, or smell the roses – please yourself.
Just meet up in the evening in a delightful quiet country town, to enjoy each other company talking bikes & the day’s ride you’ve had.

NOTE
It will be ok phansa that weekend so there could be some nice tamboons / festivals at some of the beautiful temples in Mae Chaem. Go earlier & spend 2 nights in Mae Chaem?

Ride & enjoy the good life in North Thailand.

See you all on the road.

I will be aiming for a fast Saturday Morning sunrise ride to be at Wat Yang Luang
http://www.khattiyasurin.com/chaemmuang ... outus.html
to see if "where the Jula Katin celebration is held at the end of Buddhist Lent each year, the district's most important religious festival."

Marco · Oct 15, 2010

I'll be joining,, as i made my plan to do nice 12 tour and coming from MHS.

DavidFL · Oct 22, 2010

Davidfl wrote: [quote quote=Davidfl]

Next one should be the 1ST GT RIDER RENDEZVOUS RIDE up-country on
SATURDAY 23Rd October.
at a town to be decided……

Click to expand...

The designated rendezvous town:

MAE CHAEM
Saturday 23rd October.

GETTING TO MAE CHAEM - RIDE OPTIONS
1. Mae Chaem from Doi Inthanon
• Doi Inthanon direct via Chomthong
• Doi Inthanon via Khun Wang
• Get to Khun Wang from Sanpathong &Mae Wang
• Get to Khun Wang from Samoeng & Bo Kaew
2. Mae Chaem via Hot & Ob Luang
3. Mae Chaem from Khun Yuam via Mae Na Chon
Not sure where these places are - consult a GT Rider Mae Hong Son Loop map.
https://www.gt-rider.com/maps-of-thailan ... -guide-map
and
http://www.mae-chaem.com/information/ma ... cation-map

Mae Chaem Photos & Trip Report
wet-season-pottering-around-the-mae-hong-son-loop-t8457.html

GT Rider Mae Chaem website
Mae Chaem

MAE CHAEM ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
mae-chaem-accommodation-t8437.html#p49824
1. Navasoung Resort
Tel: +66 (0)53 828477 Fax: +66 (0)53 828228
http://www.navasoungresort.com/
2. Mae Chaem Resort
Phone 053-828025 084-4828454
mae-chaem-accommodation-t8437.html
3. Chaem Muang Resort
http://www.khattiyasurin.com/chaemmuang ... outus.html
4. Pongsara Resort

Pick & book your own accommodation, or take a chance & just roll up.

FOOD & DRINK

HAPPY HOUR
5.30PM-ish at Noi Na’s Sawadee Mae Chaem
mae-chaem-restaurants-t8436.html

DINNER
At The Nam Neung start 7.30-8PM-ish (the old Krua Lai Hin restaurant)
East of town & next to the Pongsara Resort
GPS Waypoint: N18 29.667 E98 22.487
Look for the Krua Lai Hin restaurant on the GT Rider Mae Chaem city map.

wet-season-pottering-around-the-mae-hong-son-loop-t8457.html

ENJOY
Start from wherever & whenever you want (set off a day earlier even).
Ride at your own pace.
Enjoy the ride, or smell the roses – please yourself.
Just meet up in the evening in a delightful quiet country town, to enjoy each other company talking bikes & the day’s ride you’ve had.

NOTE
It will be ok phansa that weekend so there could be some nice tamboons / festivals at some of the beautiful temples in Mae Chaem. Go earlier & spend 2 nights in Mae Chaem?

Ride & enjoy the good life in North Thailand.

See you all on the road.

I will be aiming for a fast Saturday Morning sunrise ride to be at Wat Yang Luang
http://www.khattiyasurin.com/chaemmuang ... outus.html
to see if "where the Jula Katin celebration is held at the end of Buddhist Lent each year, the district's most important religious festival."
:shifty: MY REVISED PLAN:
Supposedly no big temple festivals in Mae Chaem.
But Wat Phra That Chomthong in Chomthong has one.
So I tend to hit that one mid-morning & hopefully get some nice piccies.

Breakfast at Bier Stube 8AM.
Depart Cnx approx 8.45-9AM approx.
Chomthong approx 9.30-10AM.
Ex Chomthong 11-11.30AM at the latest.
Arrive Mae Chaem early-mid afternoon.
Weather / sunshine depending go via Hot-Ob Luang or Doi Inthanon. :wave:

DavidFL · Oct 25, 2010

A sublime attempt to inaugurate regular up country GT Rider dinners..
As originated here monthly-gt-rider-dinners-t8634.html

But did it work.......... :?:

The Way for me: Chiang Mai - Hot - Mae Chaem & return.

Dates: Saturday 23rd - Sunday 24th October 2010.

And part of my plan was to pick up on some temple festivities for Ok Phansa; Mae Chaem was my original temple goal, but I received a tip-off to try Wat Phra That Sri Chomthong.

Lucky I was

Next stop "Into A Garden Temple" west of Chomthong. It's been a while since I've been in here & I thought it might be worth an update.

Guarded by tigers...

This way please

Situated on a hill

Up the steps you go

for a fabulous view towards Chomthong & the Ping River

Temple murals of village life

"Wat Into A Garden" is on in Grid 8F on the GT Rider Mae Hong Son Loop map.
Check it out sometime if you're cruising by & got time.

It had been a very wet few days earlier & the Mae Chaem river had been flooding

crossing the Mae Chaem river bridge at Hot. You can see the water's been up & flooding.

Hot city

only ever a whistle stop

for a bowl of noodles?

Of note too in Hot, is that the old petrol station west of town is now a brand spanking new PTT with a 7-11.

7-11s are important for Captain Slash's survival, plus cooling off in the aircon when the weather's hot & you need a cold drink or two to cool down. :thumbup:

R108 in the twisties west of Hot

and the river has been up over the road

Onto R1088 the Ob Luang - Mae Chaem road & its been flooded in here too

making a mess of the road in places

and the river's still up.

Watching the river flow

and this little guy has the coolest smile of the year! Is that a George Clooney?

On on, & up onto the "vege plateau"

A break at "Cabbage Central."

Down the hill again to start the descent to Mae Chaem

& it's wet & greasy

How the cabbage drivers do it

swing out wide & nail it to "smoke 'em."

Wet 'n green & greasy

Mae Chaem city

rain hail or shine. I was there....

but was there anyone else? :?

Ally · Oct 25, 2010

That garden is still growing !! Good to see the update, thanks.

The G11 is capturing the shots ! Nice.

Ally

johngooding · Oct 25, 2010

Thanks David for posting the pics of what looked like a great ride with the scenery at is photographic best this time of year. Apologies for not joining you, but just for a short while I need to stay on top of the builders and get rid of the mess as quickly as possible.
Well was there anyone else there? I am sure we are all dying to know.
Pretty sure Marco would have been there, but any more??

DavidFL · Oct 25, 2010

My place of accommodation in Mae Chaem was an experiment - a new homestay /guesthouse. The Chaem Cha, opposite the Mae Chaem city post office.

My cute room for the night..

The external bathroom

open air & won't it be great soaping up in here, steaming, in the early morning cold season fog. :thumbup:

The adjoining bathroom

I'm always amazed at Thai ingenuity & Chaem Cha is no exception. How the owner can turn a humble little wooden house into a lovely little cosy guesthouse impresses the hell out of me. The place has charm & style, so f you're looking to experience some delightful northern Thai charm, check out the Chaem Cha in Mae Chaem.

The young owner is the daughter of Mae Chaem school teachers & they value the culture & charm of Mae Chaem. The Chaem Cha is part of their contribution to maintaining Mae Chaem's charm (& not becoming another Pai?)
Chaem Cha is not on the www yet, but the owner Pirada Pokpol has a facebook site. Search for Pirada Pokpol & you will find them. :thumbup:

now for some food & a drink...

DavidFL · Oct 25, 2010

The original proposed masterplan

FOOD & DRINK

HAPPY HOUR
5.30PM-ish at Noi Na’s Sawadee Mae Chaem
mae-chaem-restaurants-t8436.html

DINNER
At The Nam Neung start 7.30-8PM-ish (the old Krua Lai Hin restaurant)
East of town & next to the Pongsara Resort
GPS Waypoint: N18 29.667 E98 22.487
Look for the Krua Lai Hin restaurant on the GT Rider Mae Chaem city map.

and who was waiting at the Sawasdee Mae Chaem - Marco!

a well ridden GT Rider, over from Ubon Ratchathani. :thumbup:

Needless to say all of us had a good night.
The Sawadee Mae Chaem was full, most of the night.
Miss Noi Na is a brilliant host.

Amusingly a 5-member group of hot young gals from Bangkok dropped in looking for the new Pai.
They were enlightened & inebriated after a few ales. And more than likely they will be back to Mae Chaem!

At another table a boss lady was treating her corn workers to a night out. Luk-sao was also in town for the weekend & Ok Phansa.

as were numerous other locals

the Drink For Health T-shirt was a winner!

Marco & I still hit the Nam Neung later on to cap off the night.
Thanks a million kms for coming Marco.
I had a good time riding there & with you in Mae Chaem.

Captain Wally · Oct 25, 2010

I've done as you suggest and looked up Pirada on FB. I liked this comment on her wall :wtf:

??????????????????????????

Google translate tells me it says this:

Sneak into the room and then robbed of all d mother

.
I'm guessing she didn't heed the suggestion or you wouldn't be recommending the place. :thumbup:

DavidFL · Oct 25, 2010

My return ride got off to a false start.

During the previous night's entertainment we were asked by a Gender Bender if we'd been to see the twin baby elephants.
Was this a trap we thought?
But nope it is real.
Only the 3rd pair of twin elephants ever born in the world is real & "in the Mae Chaem area."

A new master plan was devised over a few quiet Beer Changs mixed with rice whisky (another story to be told)…The elephants were right beside the asphalt road & less than 2 hrs away.....too good to be true, & for Marco it would mean backtracking to Khun Yuam & returning to Cnx that way.
It could be worth it.
But where exactly were the elephants? Just hanging out like a 7-11 roadside, with drive in parking & aircon comfort for the punters?

We were up nice & early the next morning, ready for our little elephant hunting expedition.
Brekky was to be at the Navasoung, but it was a bit slow coming. A 35 member Thai granny Wat tour group was indulging in ABFs at the Navasoung too that morning, plus there was no power (in all of Mae Chaem CITY since 4AM) plus they ran out gas & the kitchen was in darkness. It was not the absolute optimal start to the day you could say.

In our quest for elephant info Navasoung were able to provide a elephant trek brochure
http://www.khattiyasurin.com/chaemmuang ... outus.html
All this sounded good. We could be on the right trail, but neither Marco nor I were interested in a steep slippery hike or a greasy dirt ride on our bikes just to see a couple of dumpy twins.

We got away from the Navasoung somewhat behind for schedule & headed for the local police station. Good thought.
It was Sunday morning & almost no one was around. A solitary police officer peered up at the two jumbo farang, a worried look on his face. Trouble?
Fortunately our Thai language skills were sufficient to ascertain that indeed us two jumbos were looking for another two smaller jumbos. And they were where
• Pang Ung?
• Huay Pak Kut?
• Mae Satop?
all north-west of Mae Chaem on the road to Khun Yuam.
Well it seems like Mae Satop, but down a dirt road for a few kms & then a bit of a hike??
The two farang jumbos decided to pass. So much for the 7-11 beside the road = you can’t always rely on a Gender Bender drinking Chang & rice whisky.

Meanwhile..
Back in Chiang Mai a little more research turns up this
http://www.bring-the-elephant-home.org/en/

http://www.khattiyasurin.com/chaemmuang ... outus.html
plus these are also interesting
http://gvithailandenvironmental.blogspot.com/
http://www.gviusa.com/projects/Asia/Tha ... iland/home

but I still wonder exactly where & who has the young jumbo twins.
The Elephant Nature Park?

The return ride then. Back the same way.

Mae Chaem - Ob Luang - Hot - Chiang Mai.

Ob Luang Canyon was on my hit list for the return ride.

And it had been flooding going into the gorge

Marco riding buddy for the trip "home" to Cnx.

Marco thanks for coming to Mae Chaem for dinner. We were quite the group on the night (& a right pair of jumbos). :thumbup:
I enjoyed myself immensely.
:lol-sign:

Jurgen · Oct 25, 2010

That was great stuff friends. I loved both, the warm temple colors and the washed out streets

! I hope that the first trial for an outside dinner will be followed by others. Will try my best to participate

feejer · Oct 27, 2010

Great stuff there. Nice memories of riding the 108 along the river West of Hot. Missed Phra That Sri by only 15 miles though as I got to Mae Chaem via Inthanon and backtracked to Mae Sariang after staying in Hot. Why on earth would I do that? 1. A newb 2. Darkness

So many hidden gems, easy to ride on by and never know what is there. If its right in front of the Star House, that PPT was just having the posts put up when I was there in Nov. '08. Its been 2 years already? Impossible. After 40, it seems I'm picking up speed.................ugh

DavidFL · Oct 27, 2010

for a fabulous view towards Chomthong & the Ping River

"Wat Into A Garden" is worth checking out. :thumbup:

DavidFL · Oct 28, 2010

2wheels wrote: " The place has charm & style, so f you're looking to experience some delightful northern Thai charm, check out the Chaem Cha in Mae Chaem. "

Looks delightful.
How much, David?

I paid the asking price 400 baht & very first customer.
I suspect it may well be "negotiably" less.
Up to you. I was happy with the experience.

Captain Wally · Oct 28, 2010

On Facebook, Pirada's business card suggests the price is 300 - 400 baht.
She seems quite chuffed to have been mentioned on the GT rider site too :clap:

Marco · Oct 29, 2010

Davidfl wrote:
Marco thanks for coming to Mae Chaem for dinner. We were quite the group on the night (& a right pair of jumbos). :thumbup:
I enjoyed myself immensely.
:lol-sign:

Thank You David and yet it was lots of fun and for new place for me and well many new faces,,,
"Gender Bender" was fun and lady with the T-Shirt(Drink for health) got me scared,, she was "wispering my ear in one point,, ""I love you" shite,, that was scary,,,,but lady who runs the joint is Such a geurgeus Doll face and nice,,,pitty that i did not managed to get any photo of her,, i was worried abt the wispering lady,,,,

I compeleted now my 11day tour and ones all pictures are sorted out i will post report of entire trip

See u guys in December again