Eight fabulous days riding and exploring Tak province Thailand.
First the long drive from Bangkok to Mae Sot.
Always a stop here for a photo. The long boring highway from Bangkok has ended and now the drive up and over the mountains to Mae Sot.
A stop at Canadian in Mae Sot is a must.
Love his Beef Fajitas plus the Full English breakfast.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pzhsqJnGGkkzZzGq7
I arrived early, before check in time. So off to explore around Mae Sot.
Something I have always wanted to do but when travelling with other people, always in and out to the next destination.
The main target to see today is Shwe Kokko Scam City located over the Moei river in Myanmar.
First a quick ride to the International Border crossing. Myawaddy on the other side of the bridge.
Not sure how they came up with this being the western most point of the Moei river.
Take a look on Google Maps and you will see this location is far from being the most western point of Thailand on the Moei river.
The border market. Spot the razor wire.
The other side is Myanmar, the vendors are selling cheap tax free goods, booze and smokes as well as food.
The Thai army are all around the area with soldiers and checkpoints watching the goings on in real time. The unofficial paths to the river and illegal crossing over to the Casino in Myanmar are also blocked with checkpoints and razor wire.
Through the back streets to the first Friendship Bridge and a look over at Myawaddy.
Time to go and check out Shwe kokko.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YZvo4BE4urATkhWv9
The notorious Chinese criminal gang scam city over the Moei river in Myanmar. As well as human trafficking and slavery of people duped into coming to this evil place.
When coming in to Mae Sot there is a Police checkpoint. All cars with foreigners are pulled over and people are warned that if going to Myanmar. You may be trafficked or even worse, your body organs harvested.
Police notice given at the checkpoint.
On the Thai side of the Moei river. No doubt by the name, who is in charge over there.
This is what a Chinese criminal scam and human trafficking city looks like. This was all farmland in the past. This entire city and infrastructure is purely to facilitate scamming people and human trafficking.
Wikipedia Shwekokko
Meanwhile back in Thailand. Peaceful countryside.
One of the many entries to the Moei river. This has the Border Patrol Police manning it.
I was allowed to enter and walk down to the river.
There are many places like this at the back of properties adjoining the Moei river. Easily visible that they are used and not sanctioned crossings.
Next day off to Umphang.
After meeting the Mae Sot riders the night before. It was discussed and decided to meet for coffee the next morning.
I was pleasantly surprised when the gang rode half way with me to Umphang.
Arrived at the homestay in Umphang.
That is one narrow and twisty road to Umphang. But much better than 10 or so years earlier.
Drivers mostly well behaved.
The La Land.
Great place. Coffee, cake. In the evening beer, shots and a pool table with great food.
Tee Lor Su
A very long twisty and windy road. Very steep hairpin turns too.
Bikes are not allowed to ride up here. Contrary to what is being told on social media and other circles.
Back of the pickup for this Hi So.
The Isaan riders arrived later that afternoon.
Informed the gang about The La Land. We arranged to meet here for dinner and drinks.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EYFkW2kauhEpsFfx6
The next day off to the Myanmar border.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/AcsHFrPAqgbeGmZm9
Last here around 11 years ago. We were not allowed to cross to Myanmar at that time.
The Myanmar side has been taken over by the KNU with the flag hoisted.
Guess this is why the security is much more relaxed and allowed to pop over the border for a beer.
Ban Loe Tong Ku
https://maps.app.goo.gl/aeEzfmggLzvj3TpB6
Sam and I pressed on to Loe Tong Ku. The track is much improved but still steep with smashed up concrete, narrow and hope nothing is coming down at speed from the other direction.
A remote village close to the Myanmar border. Famous for the Elephant tusks.
Side note :-
We have visited a few times over the years. Coming up from Sangkhlaburi, Kanchanaburi.
2016
2013
Ride report
Back to the present day
Stopped, wondering where all those nice clean BMW GS bikes that were following are.. Hmmm.
To be fair. This tack is not for a GS unless you have lots of time and friends to help you pick up the bike.
While waiting. This friendly local stopped and we had a chat. Asking if he saw my friends.
Adventure Sam and his Versys X arrived. Great, I am not going alone and Sam is good company. Win Win.
We arrived at Ban Loe Tong Ku. I honestly couldn’t believe how developed the place had become compared to past visits. Solar power has transformed people lives in the bush.
Ice cold water. I mean ice. The water started to freeze after opening the bottle. The locals were super friendly and happy to see us.
A little north of the village we arrive at the temple with the Elephant tusks.
We had to take our shoes off at the gate and were guided every step of the way.
Very strict and fair enough,. Happy they let us in to visit.
We make it back to the village on the border. Take in some fluids, then head off back to Umphang.
Plan to meet the second batch of Isaan riders that had arrived earlier in the afternoon.
The ride back to Umphang.
Mae Sot
The next day I headed back to Mae Sot to meet Jon and ride a few days exploring and camping on the way up to Mae Tawo.
The first waterfall after Mae Sot
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Uv6viH6ok1W6nymk7
Samurai Cave
https://maps.app.goo.gl/24FnAuNshwsC4D6y9
Local legend has it that the retreating imperial Japanese army buried treasure looted form modern day Myanmar in the caves around this area.
We bumped in to a local KTM 790 rider Jon had met the day before in Mae Sot.
Mokkha Cave – Camping
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xrmZzwZMMEttYFJi9
This was a magical spot to camp. We intended to camp by a creek earlier. But there was garbage and it just spoilt the atmosphere. So we decided to push on to the cave and hopefully find a place to camp here. We asked the local Monk and it was no problem.
The next day exploring, trying to follow the border as much as possible.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RVnYD4DoR8DN3Vxg7
วัดพระธาตุรัตนเจดีย์ถ้ำแม่อุสุ
https://maps.app.goo.gl/smB8xuwQQznxXHts7
Ke Li He
Home stay
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4HMzKBYZ8kT7crbu5
Doi Thu Le
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YLZoQEv9wH63ZF5V8
A temple on the way to Doi Thu Le
Back to the home stay.
Time to say goodbye to Jon until the next adventure.
Meet up with Petch and off exploring trails around Mae Tawo.
YouTube
Back to Maw Tawo and refreshments before crossing over to Myanmar.
Myanmar
Hello from the otherside.
YouTube
While by the river that night a family arrived to celebrate Loy Krathong. A day late, but sure they have their reasons. Also nice and quite.
Time to say goodbye to Petch. He is heading back to Mae Sariang and I am going back to Bangkok.
It was raining really hard in the morning. So glad we didn’t camp as planned.
Back to Canadian for a feed before the long boring drive to Bangkok.
Hope you enjoyed the ride report. I certainly did. A great trip, meeting new people and making new friends along they way as well as catching up with old friends too.
Tak is an amazing province with so much to offer.
YouTube
The 8 days all wrapped up here.
I’ll be back.