A quick blast to Nan for the night, before the Sonkran water throwing mayhem, to check up on a temple, plus on friends in Nan, Phrae, and Sa Iab along the way.
The way Chiang Khong - Nan
Chiang Khong - Chiang Kham
R1020 - R1021 - R1148
Chiang Kham - Pong
R1148 - R1179 - R1092 - R1091
Pong - Chiang Muan - Nan
R1091
Total distance = 264 km.
It was a lazy start to the day, getting away from Chiang Khong city at 1PM.
Boiling hot it was time to just wear my body armour and no jacket, but take a rain jacket just in case a few predicted short summer storms pass through.
The first stop was the PTT Chiang Kham, 2 km south of Chiang Kham, and time to put some rain gear on for a passing shower and ominous weather outlook.
The passing shower lingered on all the way down R1179 to Pong city. I was less than impressed!!
Of note on R1179 is a massive solar power farm being built on the east side of R1179, ascending the long rolling hills, heading south from Chiang Kham city.
Check it out before it is completed, but it is absolutely massive and a serious work of construction.
R1179 is a fabulous ride through the rolling hills and can be used as a loop to or from Pong and return, or Nan from via 1148 and 1091.
(A Pong Loop - R1092.)
Fa Ngum, King of Laos, Statue
Stop #2 then was the hidden Fa Ngum, King of Laos, statue another 60 km down the road in Pong City.
The story of Fa Ngum is an intriguing one. He was the first king of Laos, but in his later years he was exiled due to rampant philandering in the royal court. Sent to Nan in Thailand, he supposedly died in Pong, at the source of the Yom River, if you can believe the story.
Fa Ngum is considered by Laotians as being the founder of Laos and the first person to recognise the word of Buddha for the whole country (the equivalent of our William the Conqueror) as well as the person who gave the country its historical borders, which are recognised even today by most Laotians. It all started at the beginning of the 14th century. At that time, a King (Chao Phi Fa) reigned in Luang Prabang (then called Xieng Dong-Xieng Tong) and its immediate area, just like many other small kings who were dispersed all over the area of what would soon become known as Laos. Like all the kings at that time, Chao Phi Fa had many women around him and a throng of children. He was the sole ruler over his realm.
(Riding The Yom River & R1091)
Cafe Mello
1.5 km down the road from the Fa Ngum state is the cute Cafe Mello in Pong City.
A GTR favourite en route to/from Nan, you can always get a nice cuppa and meal in the air conditioning for a most convenient break.
The staff are always friendly, speak some English, and are able to confirm the legendary beauty of the Lue women of Pong city.
The resident house cat is also a beauty.
The menu has some interesting dishes, delicious, fresh, and quickly served.
maps.app.goo.gl
To be continued onto Nan & that wat,
The way Chiang Khong - Nan
Chiang Khong - Chiang Kham
R1020 - R1021 - R1148
Chiang Kham - Pong
R1148 - R1179 - R1092 - R1091
Pong - Chiang Muan - Nan
R1091
Total distance = 264 km.
It was a lazy start to the day, getting away from Chiang Khong city at 1PM.
Boiling hot it was time to just wear my body armour and no jacket, but take a rain jacket just in case a few predicted short summer storms pass through.
The first stop was the PTT Chiang Kham, 2 km south of Chiang Kham, and time to put some rain gear on for a passing shower and ominous weather outlook.
The passing shower lingered on all the way down R1179 to Pong city. I was less than impressed!!
Of note on R1179 is a massive solar power farm being built on the east side of R1179, ascending the long rolling hills, heading south from Chiang Kham city.
Check it out before it is completed, but it is absolutely massive and a serious work of construction.
R1179 is a fabulous ride through the rolling hills and can be used as a loop to or from Pong and return, or Nan from via 1148 and 1091.
(A Pong Loop - R1092.)
Fa Ngum, King of Laos, Statue
Stop #2 then was the hidden Fa Ngum, King of Laos, statue another 60 km down the road in Pong City.
The story of Fa Ngum is an intriguing one. He was the first king of Laos, but in his later years he was exiled due to rampant philandering in the royal court. Sent to Nan in Thailand, he supposedly died in Pong, at the source of the Yom River, if you can believe the story.
Fa Ngum is considered by Laotians as being the founder of Laos and the first person to recognise the word of Buddha for the whole country (the equivalent of our William the Conqueror) as well as the person who gave the country its historical borders, which are recognised even today by most Laotians. It all started at the beginning of the 14th century. At that time, a King (Chao Phi Fa) reigned in Luang Prabang (then called Xieng Dong-Xieng Tong) and its immediate area, just like many other small kings who were dispersed all over the area of what would soon become known as Laos. Like all the kings at that time, Chao Phi Fa had many women around him and a throng of children. He was the sole ruler over his realm.
(Riding The Yom River & R1091)
Cafe Mello
1.5 km down the road from the Fa Ngum state is the cute Cafe Mello in Pong City.
A GTR favourite en route to/from Nan, you can always get a nice cuppa and meal in the air conditioning for a most convenient break.
The staff are always friendly, speak some English, and are able to confirm the legendary beauty of the Lue women of Pong city.
The resident house cat is also a beauty.
The menu has some interesting dishes, delicious, fresh, and quickly served.
Cafe Mello · 578J+92V, Khun Yom Rd, Na Prang, Pong District, Phayao 56140, Thailand
★★★★★ · Cafe
maps.app.goo.gl
To be continued onto Nan & that wat,
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