Important Update - Regarding Departure & Travel Plans
Due to the overwhelming response of people – we are now out 36 bikes – it is not realistic to all meet up & start from the Kafe in town.
There are issues with space & safety in peak hour traffic to be considered.
So…..
New Meet Up / Starting Point
The new rendezvous place to meet up & depart from is the PTT Nam Phrae,
It is on the canal road south of the Ton Kwain intersection R121 / R1269, the road to Samoeng.
Location & GPS Waypoint is N18 40.326 E98 53.254
Heading south along the canal road it is
12 kms south of the middle ring road R3029
8.2 kms south of the Ton Kwain R1269 intersection
2.0 kms south of the Ob Khan Nat Park turn off
Meeting Time 8.30AM
Safety
The other issue we have had to consider with a big group is rider / group safety.
With 36 riders in a convoy it could be considered a road hazard & certainly the steep descent into Mae Chaem on R1192 from Doi Inthanon a police escort would be advisable.
We therefore want to break up into smaller groups & to ride at their own safety level.
There are only two designated stops (1) Lunch in Mae Chaem & (2) the PTT in Mae Hong Son.
At the start we want groups of riders to depart at 10 minute intervals from the PTT Nam Phrae.
The first riders set off at 9AM.
Doi Inthanon National Park
Entry into the park is 300 baht if you go to the top.
If you tell the officials at the park gate that you are going to Mae Chaem & Mae Hong Son, there should be no fee.
At the checkpoint to the turn off to Mae Chaem, they will check your ticket.
No park fee you must turn left & go to Mae Chaem, but if you go up to the top, then you have to pay 300 baht.
Lunch
The designated lunch spot in Mae Chaem is the Mae Chaem food centre.
The same as previous years.
The Location & GPS Waypoint is: N18 29.987 E98 21.777
Going into town from Doi Inthanon it is on the right hand side, in a soi alongside the Thai Farmers bank, 100 metres after the PTT gas station.
Go down the soi into the food centre & the shop is the one on the left - Suki Lung Mor.
The advantage of this place is ample parking space + close proximity to the PTT gas station for fuel & a toilet.
Those of you who know the Mae Chaem Food Centre from previous rides will know that they could not possibly cope taking orders & serving food to a large group.
We have made arrangements here for a simple buffet lunch, so that the Suki Lung Mor can handle with the volume.
They will have food ready from 11.45AM & will prepare 3 dishes
1. Fried Rice with Pork
2. Fried Noodle (Phat Siew) with chicken.
3. Fried Mixed vegetables.
Please yourself what you eat.
The cost is 50 baht each. You must
pay the restaurant 50 baht + whatever for drinks that you have.
Mae Chaem to Khun Yuam / Mae Hong Son
After Mae Chaem proceed to Mae Hong Son via Khun Yuam.
But please note that you should ride at fast pace. There is little or no time for photos!
Mae Chaem to MHS is 161 kms / 2.5 hours fast riding.
Get away from Mae Chaem late by 1PM & your MHS Eta is 3.30PM at the earliest.
Suggested drink stop
69 kms from Mae Chaem is Pang Kia, a small Hmong village.
GPS Waypoint: N18 47.270 E98 09.266
This is about 1 hour fast riding from Mae Chaem & is a good place for a quick drink.
From Pang Kia to MHS is 93 kms. About 1.5 hrs fast riding.
Pang Kia to R108 / Khun Yuam = 28.5 kms / 30 minutes fast riding.
From R108 / Khun Yuam to MHS is 65 kms = 1 hr fast riding.
Please note that around Pang Kia the asphalt is a bit bumpy & patchy for about 6-7 kms.
The first ETAs in Mae Hong Son should hopefully, be around 3.30PM.
Mae Hong Son
In Mae Hong Son the rendezvous meet up point is the PTT gas station on the south side of town.
It is on the left hand side heading into town.
GPS Waypoint: N19 17.609 E97 57.868
There are toilets & a 7-11 here.
Everyone must wait here on arrival.
Don’t go wandering off, because once we are all together we ride as a group to the government sala klang offices which are 600 metres south of / before the PTT.
At the government sala klang offices we sign the condolence book for the King of Thailand.
After the signing we go to our accommodation & meet up at the Sunflower for happy hour.
We have a buffet dinner prepared at the Sunflower.
Please join in at the Sunflower, because there will be a final briefing on activities for Sunday.
There should also be some media present at the Sunflower.
Those of you who have GTR shirts, especially the memorial Tshirt – please wear them on Sunday.
Black shirts are appropriate for Saturday & signing of the condolence book for the King.
Donations
We will collect donations for the chedi & merit making ceremonies on Saturday at the PTT.
You may donate whatever you wish or are comfortable with.
This is a unique event –“once in a life time.”
We have been given land in a prime location for our own GTR chedi.
The Jao Wat / abbot of Doi Kong Mou has been most gracious in permitting this & we will be showing our appreciation by conducting proper traditional, spiritual, Buddhist religious ceremonies at the two temples to show our full respect for their generosity. All of this has taken considerable time, effort & organization. We trust that donors will appreciate the effort & costs involved conducting the ceremonies plus the chedi construction.
Thank you & apologies for the change of plans.