Mae Sot, another piece of Thailand
Mae Sot (2p2play / Shutterstock.com)
After visiting the border town Mae Sam Laep we drive on to There is Sot, also bordering Burma. The approximately 240 kilometer long road (105) takes us through a rugged area where we hardly encounter any sign of life except for the impressive nature.
The winding road is largely paved and in excellent condition. Here and there the asphalt is missing and the road is only paved, but easy to drive on. You will not find a petrol pump on the entire route, so it is important to take this into account when you leave. You will not be bothered by traffic on this route and driving quietly it is a beautiful trip that leads through a beautiful region.
Accommodation options
You will find hotels, guesthouses and resorts in Mae Sot in abundance and for every budget. We have not reserved anything and end up in Mae Sot in the small and quiet resort of Puttachadresort with beautiful houses. In the same street you will find several places to eat and to quench your thirst.
There is Sot
The place is considerably larger than we initially thought. Like most other border towns, you will find a lively trade right at the border. The price level for food and drinks is significantly lower than in Chiangmai, for example. The population is friendly and nowhere you will find merchants who try to sell something with all their might. It is clearly noticeable that in this border town a lot of people have crossed the river from Burma to work in Thailand. You notice it not only by the external features but also by the language used. English is spoken by only a few. The Burmese influence is great.
Market (Kevin Hellon / Shutterstock.com)
Markten
The famous Rim Moei market is covered and is located directly on the Moei river, so directly on the border. Gemstones and jewelery form an important part of the range. You will not find many other articles as in similar border towns.
A completely different market with a range of vegetables, fruits, meat, fish and other foodstuffs is located in the center of the place. It is a remarkably clean and tidy market that stands out from many Thai peers.
Tired river
Itinerary
Contrary to custom, this time we only have a global travel plan and almost nothing in advance. The intention was to visit the grand 250 meter high and 450 meter wide Thee Lor Su waterfall at Umphang from Mae Sot. On closer inspection, these two 150-year-old gentlemen deviate from this intention. We don't want to expose our rental car to the 160 miles of unpaved and easy road there. A road that we also have to drive back because there are no other options. Reading the reviews of others about the accommodation options, we decide to cancel this undoubtedly beautiful and fantastic trip.
We want to appear young and spry, but we also know our limitations. We prefer to leave sleeping in a tent on a wooden plank to the youth.
Conclusion
The drive from Mae Sariang to Mae Sot is rich in natural beauty and easy to do. Mae Sot isn't exactly a must unless Umphai is the main target. Nevertheless, we spent two nice days there and even had an extensive conversation with the head monk of the school for monks in training. No harm will befall us on the further journey.
Thanks for this message.
Last week I drove my chopper Honda Steed 600 cc from Khon Kaen to Mae Sot in 4 days, a trip of 1160 km visa versa. On the way stop in Pitsanolok and back in Lom Sak. I wanted to go to Mae Sariang but the last part was very bad when I drove there a few years ago. Hence not now. Is the road good now?
About half way between Mae Sot and Mae Sariang is a petrol station.
The road to Umphang is good and beautiful and there are also good hotels / guesthouses in Umphang.
I have traveled alone and my age is half of you together.
Write to me [email protected] to exchange some information. I live in Khon Kaen.
regards Jacob
I rode an off-the-road motorcycle from Mae Sot to Mae Sariang on the 105 two months ago. About 60 km before Mae Sariang in the most mountainous area, the road is still not ready and over a few tens of kilometers of the worst kind, even dangerous at some points on the bike.
I'm afraid it will take years before they are done with this and then they will have to start all over again.
Went from Mae Sot to Mae Sariang and beyond in September/October.
I found the road to be manageable, but I was with the car and not on a motorcycle.
In any case, I have no worse experiences than on other roads in Thailand. There are always holes and other inconveniences to report on Thai roads.
http://www.stoere.nl/Stoere%20in%20Thailand/2016%20-2020/2017/mae_hong_son_en_pai_september_20.htm
Umphang is a very special beautiful part of Thailand. Difficult to travel to, indeed. Made this trip years ago via a building block from 333travel. The waterfall is very special. Overnight simple. Beautiful nature, floating in a canoe ... The road was fine then, but a lot of curves, it comes to an end ...
We go to Mae Sot every year. One of the nicest towns in Thailand. Guesthouse The Picturebook is paradise and you can drink beer with excellent live music in Tor Mai. Absolutely great. We can go again in April.
I intend to drive from kanchanaburi to Mae Hong Son in September.
I then want to drive via Sangklaburi, Mae Sot.
But if I read this like this, is that even possible?
That is completely impossible as there is no road from Sangkhlaburi to Umphang. You will have to detour via Suphanburi. A trekking through the jungle on foot seems to be possible, but I doubt whether that is doable.
Henk I did it from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi _ but – tak-mae sot – mae sariang – chiang mai -lampang loei – udon thani – ubon ratchathani – buriam -trat – ko chang – pattaya and back to Bangkok, and this with a Honda PCM 150 cc, I have driven about 3700 km, Henk, I would definitely do so and enjoy every moment, greetings
Paul, I have already done the route from Mae Sot to Mae Hong Son. Been a wonderful ride.
http://www.stoere.nl/Stoere%20in%20Thailand/2016%20-2020/2017/kamphaeng_phet_en_mae_sot_septem.htm
It was actually about going to the Thi Lo Su waterfall. It's quite a drive from Mae Sot. I think it's a shame to have to take the same route back.
By the way, I don't have a motorcycle driver's license so that option is not applicable.
But thanks for your response.
At the end of January I took the car from BanPhe-Rayong to Khon Kean to visit someone and from there to Phetchabun. That's fun if you haven't seen many mountains in Thailand yet. I drove on via Phitsanulok to Sukhothai to Mae Sot. The road became more impressive the closer you got to Mae Sot. Mae Sot was a nice place but my goal was Mae Hong Son. After an overnight stay in a nice resort for 400 Baht, we drove on time to Mae Hong Son in the morning. I could no longer find an LPG filling station and the petrol tank (91) was not full. The road was really impressive, very beautiful and if you like curves, descents and steep climbs, very doable. It was a strain with the petrol, but I made it to Mae Hong Son. A very beautiful place, but if you have already seen a lot, it is less impressive than what I expected. Of course we walked through markets and into the city, but the same day we drove to the unplanned Pai. The road was icy but I like that. Pai is a very nice and cozy small town with a large pedestrian area in the evening with a very wide range of Guesthouses, Resorts, Restaurants, Bars. Shops and a nice market actually through all the closed streets. Enjoyed 2 days there and from Pai towards Chiangmai, which was also a very exciting and quite tiring, very winding road. Via Chiangmai, Phae to Nakhon Sawan where we spent the night and finally towards Chonburi, Rayong home. 2900 km in 5 days and stayed in Pai for 2 days in between. Not very tired but seen a lot. Of course you would have to spend more time on such a ride and get out of the car a little longer in beautiful places and even spend the night, but I had someone in the car who could not walk very well but still wanted to get an impression of that part of Thailand. to have. It is highly recommended.