In this fourth part of Thailand’s World Class Drives – Chiang Mai – Golden Triangle Loop the suggested tour takes you enroute from Chiang Khong to Phayao, 225 kilometers south of Chiang Khong. 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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CHIANG KHONG-PHAYAO

SECTION 4 : 225 kms.

POINTER ONE H1020 OdK 38 Leave Chiang Khong on main highway south. Fill petrol tank! POINTER TWO H1020 KM132 Go straight at T-junction with H1174 (alternative route to Chiang Rai). POINTER THREE H1020 KM123 Ban Si Don Chai. Turn left (east) at T-junction with H1155. Zero odometer. (Continue straight on H1020 for alternative return route along River Ing valley). POINTER FOUR H1155 OdK26 T junction. Take right turn south signposted Doi Pha Tang & Phu Chi Fa. POINTER FIVE H1155 OdK42 Ban Pang Hat. 4WD only past P7! Turn left (east) at T-junction with narrow sealed road. H1155 (pitted sealed surface from OdK38) curves right round school yard. A small police box at the junction has ‘information’ in English on it. Zero odometer. If you do not have 4WD, you may drive up sealed road to see spectacular view over the Mekong valley in Laos at Doi Pha Tang, but you must return to this point (round trip 30 kms) and continue straight to Ban Pha Le on H1155 (See pointer 9). POINTER SIX OdK10 Road forks. Take lower fork left. (See Doi Pha Tang detail map). POINTER SEVEN OdK14 Follow road round to left at T-junction. Villages along this route have been built by the government for White Hmong who act as volunteer border defense forces in case of trouble with Laos. 4WD only! OdK41 Left turn (east) steep uphill to Phu Chi Fah lookout. Very steep and rough 4WD (2 kms) – impassable if wet. Better to walk.

POINTER EIGHT OdK43 Take right turn descending to valley to rejoin H1155. (Or continue left – east – for longer alternative route – 52 kms – to H1021 via Phu Sang Falls and H1093, which joins H1021 at KM80. POINTER NINE OdK53 junction with H1155 at KM26, continue south. If coming south on H1155 in non-4WD vehicle, turn sharp left for easy sealed road to Phu Chi Fah lookout over Laos, but you will need to walk up 4 kms. POINTER TEN H1155 KM6 Turn left (east) at T-junction with H1222. POINTER ELEVEN H1222 T-junction with H1021 KM94. Follow signs to Phayao (97kms) POINTER TWELVE H1021 KM75 Right turn at T junction. H1148 goes to Chiang Kham. KM74 Left turn (east) Thai Leu Cultural Centre.

DRIVING ON DIRT ROADS Dirt Roads go all over the mountains, but even Thais can get lost in the maze of crossroads. The tracks are steep and narrow and very tricky in the rainy season. If you plan an overnight trip on a dirt road trip take the following: torch, candles and matches, warm clothes (especially in winter), water, dry food, insect repellent, and a full tank of gas. Drive very slowly to prevent mechanical problems from stranding you. POINTER THIRTEEN H1021 KM72 Right turn to Phayao. POINTER FOURTEEN H1021 KM42 T junction with H1091in Chun District town. Turn right for Phayao (45kms) POINTER FIFTEEN H1021 controlled intersection with H1 KM732. Turn right (north) for Phayao and left for Lampang and Chiang Mai (via H120). Straight on for Mae Na Rua on H1193.