In this first part of Thailand’s World Class Drives – Chiang Mai – Golden Triangle Loop the suggested tour takes you enroute from Chiang Mai, Thailand to Thaton, just south of Chiang Mai.  Driving in Thailand can be very rewarding in that you can control the pace and alter your itinerary to suit your own personal preferences.  Driving in Thailand can be very rewarding in that you will be exposed to many local aspects of the Thailand countryside that most tourists do not have a chance to enjoy.  The Golden Triangle Loop is a highly recommended Northern Thailand driving tour.  Whether touring Thailand by car or motorcycle you are sure to have a rewarding if not somewhat challenging adventure.

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Kilometre references are noted in two ways:
H107 KM13 = Kilometre stone 13 is the nearest kilometre marker on Highway 107. OdK13 = Kilometre 13 estimated by vehicle odometer (allow for variation).
KM99 A point of interest or side trip off the route is located near this kilometre point.

Zero odometer (reset odometer to zero)! Most main roads have kilometre stones and bilingual signs, but sometimes they are missing, and small country roads usually have no stones or signs in English. Reset your odometer (kilometre distance gauge) to zero to help you follow directions when you see this instruction.

Numbered pointers listed in sequence in the direction of travel show you when you have to make turns along the recommended route. Some turns at junctions (where English language signs are absent) will also include descriptions to help you visually check you go in the correct direction.

Fill up with petrol! Remote country roads have no filling stations, or only serve fuel from a drum (more expensive). Fill up with petrol at the point of instruction to avoid running out of fuel later on the recommended route.

Alternative route. (AR) There are many roads to travel in Thailand. The direction pointers follow recommended routes that aim to give you a variety of roads and scenery where possible. Alternative route directions show you where you may take your own route using information found only on the maps. Shorter alternative routes are usually less interesting than the recommended route.

4-WD Only! If you are driving a vehicle that does not have 4 four wheel drive, please do not take this route. Follow the alternative route suggested along a sealed highway.

Remember to always take enough drinking water – allow for emergencies
Accommodation. Upper and middle level places to stay are listed with telephone numbers. Guest House style accommodation is plentiful in the main towns and is shown on maps in rural areas. We strongly advise pre-booking accommodation in the high season and during festivals.
In order that we may continually improve our service to our customers, please advise us of errors or make suggestions for these route information sheets. You may do so to our office
co.th> staff or directly to <oliverh@loxinfo>.

CHIANG MAI – THATON

Budget Section 1 : 218 kms.

POINTER ONE H107 KM4 Take Highway 107 to Mae Rim and Chiang Dao, starting at the intersection of Chiang Mai- Lampang Superhighway and H107 to Mae Rim and Chiang Dao KM17 Highway 1096 west to Samoeng and the Mae Sa Valley. Orchid Farms, elephant camps, the Queen Sirikit Botanical Gardens, Upland Resorts and Hmong Hilltribe villages. KM28 Mae Sa Snake Farm (Branch). 30 min. shows 09:30-17:00 KM53 Mae Ping Elephant Village: Shows 08:30 & 10:00 + rides to Lisu hilltribe village KM56 Elephant Training Centre: Shows 09:00 &10:00 + rides to Lisu hilltribe village KM72 Chiang Dao Inn and road west to caves (5 & 8 kms). Khrua Chiang Dao restaurant opposite POINTER TWO H107 KM78 Turn left on H1178 singposted Wiang Haeng. Zero your odometer & follow blue signs for Ang Khang Nature Resort along this route. (For a shorter direct route continue on H107 to P7 and Thaton. Total distance from Chiang Mai 173kms). KM4 Naresuan monument commemorates death of King Naresuan in 1605 POINTER THREE H1178 KM9 Go straight to Ban Na Wai at Tjunction. (H1322 goes west to Wiang Haeng). POINTER FOUR H1178 OdK33 Turn right to Ban Arunothai at T-junction. POINTER FIVE H1178 OdK42 After military checkpoint turn right at intersection in Ban Arunothai and follow rough road leading east out of town. Set odometer to zero! Road improves outside of town. Steep climbs and tight turns on narrow sealed road begin after KM6. KM16 Ban Tham Ngop; former HQ of Kuomintang 3rd army under Gen Li Wen-huan OdK19 Lahu (Muser) hilltribe village on south side of road

POINTER SIX KM35 Take lower (left) road to Ang Khang at the road fork. The upper (right) road leads to H1249 at KM19 (See Ang Khang detail map). Return on H1249 to H107 – caution on very steep descent! POINTER SEVEN H107 KM137 T-junction. H1089 joins H107. Turn left (north) onto H107 POINTER EIGHT H107 KM148 T-junction with bypass. Continue straight to go through Fang (see detail map) or take bypass which joins H1089 at KM4 Fill petrol tank in Thaton area ACCOMMODATION • Regent Resort, Mae Rim (053) 298181 Fax: 298189 • Ang Khang Nature Resort, Ang Khang (053) 453 515-19 Fax: 453 520 • Chiang Dao Inn Hotel, Chiang Dao. Tel: 455132 • Chiang Dao Hill Resort M (H107 KM100) M (053) 232434 Fax: 251372 • Mae Kok River Lodge & Village, Thaton (053) 459328 Fax: 459329 (Lodge) 459355 (Village) • Thaton Chalet. Thaton (053) 373155-7 Fax: 373158 • Thaton River View Hotel. Thaton (053) 459289 Fax: 459288

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