To the capital is a rough road travel over almost 1000 km.
If you can handle a bike it could be a good alternative since it is possible to rent big and small bikes, this is from around 125 cc to up to 600 cc. But it needs to consider that this is very dangerous since in Thailand no one cares about traffic regulation, road signs etc. its pure jungle on the road, take a very good travel insurance which brings you home by an aircraft if something happen, Thai hospitals cant handle difficult things for them you are only a object they
can pull money from.
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| Family scooter |
The other day I had an accident because a young women banged into the back of my scooter, I fell and not much happen because I had the helmet on but I lost blood at one arm, I went to the Phuket International hospital and showed them my accident insurance card from a Thai insurance company, they refused to do anything unless I pay cash. Yes I am a "farang" that means cash, instantly.
You can rent a scooter and the smaller ones for between Baht 150,- and 200,- everywhere on the island.
Anyway, this trip is a nice one
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| Ranong to Kawthaung |
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| Beach at Khao Lak |
in particular when taking the route via Khao Lak and Ranong, passing the Isthmus of Kra ( thats the shortest land distance between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific) at Chumphon joining the highway 4 from the south of Thailand.
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| Isthmus of Kra |
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| Isthmus of Kra Map |
This is the opposite direction as from Phuket to Krabi.
At Prachuap Kiri Khan I left the Phetkasem Road
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| Phetkasem Road at Prachuap Kiri Khan |
that's the offical name of the highway all the way from Bangkok to Malaysia and had a look for they newly officially opened border crossing between Thailand and Myanmar at Singkhorn Pass.
The drive from the motorway to the boundary is real pleasant it reminds of Tuscany with low hills and tall trees.
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Singkhon PassThai Myanmar Border
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| Singkhon Pass flower pond |
Here is a interesting orchid market where everyday dozens of flower grower
come over from Myanmar trying to sell their plants. The problem is almost all of the flower are infected by fungi and other diseases, it's even dangerous to touch them but a very place.
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| Orchid dealer with son |
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| Exotic orchid market |
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| Selling orchids |
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| Selling orchids |
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| Thai orchid nursery |
I stayed a night in Hua Hin, a nice small town
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| Beach at Hua Hin |
with a great beach about 250 km before Bangkok, the whole was a rough ride because the highway is in bad condition. They dont do maintenance for the big buses it is a real rodeo ride, they jump up and done and always stay on the overtake lane this that one is a bit better. In general the country has an excellent road system but maintenance in the south, means anything beyond Hua Hin is only minimal.
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| Fried rice for dinner |
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| Tasty street food |
But the real problem started when arriving at Bangkok because the dont allow bikes on the motorway and if not using the ring road motorway it's almost impossible to come into the center. This is the only country in the world where they dont allow motorbikes on the motorway.
Finally I made it but it was a real mess to come into the center.
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