Motorrad Tour Kanchanaburi Riding Adventure

For me, Kanchanaburi is definitely one of the top 5 riding destinations. I visited the province numerous times with fellow riders or family but this time decided to go alone.

Left Phuket May 25th early morning, rain followed me all the way to Prachuap Khiri Khan where I took overnight break.
The moment I park the bike, sun came out....what an irony. And that was the last rain I've seen for next 7-8 days or so, while west coast and south were pounded by monsoon for weeks to come.

Following day by 9am on my way towards Kanchanaburi. Excellent weather, surprisingly not much traffic and most of the hwy 4 being repaved.
Just before arriving to Kanchanaburi town, stopped here to check this giant monkypod tree.

GPS: 13.95517, 99.52676



The giant rain tree is more than 100 years old with a trunk large enough to be encircled by 10 people. The average radius of its crown is 25.87 meters and the diameter of its shadow is approximately 51.75 meters while the height of its canopy is 20 meters and the large shady crown covers a total area of approximately 2,416 sq.m.

I parked my bike right next to it in order to illustrate size of the tree:



Customary visit to "The Bridge" and restaurant beneath: love this place, food, view and tranquility especially in low season.
























As usual, overnight stop at my fav place, Thai Guesthouse. Owner is my friend and Ducati Rider. THB 600, a/c, hot water, Cable TV, free coffee.
GPS: 14.03302, 99.52243








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[Goran Phuket]

In near future planning another ride to Burma, would love to enter at Ban Phu Nam Ron if possible.
Never been here before, just checking out.
GPS: 13.92513, 99.08295

Nice road towards the border, lots of Visa Run Vans










Looks quiet and orderly.






Interesting milestone on the way back




Next stop is Prasat Muang Singh.
GPS: 14.03941, 99.24564

Straight and freshly paved road thru tree alleys....very scenic.













Customary salute I receive on my travels...just kidding....I asked him to do that. You'll see lots of pics like this later on.




Entering the historic park. Good idea allowing visitors to drive around.




Khmer temple complex and military outpost, constructed during the Lopburi Period 1157 - 1207.
It marks the westernmost advance of Cambodian power and provides testimony of their vast territorial claims.






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[Goran Phuket]

I have to say, park is very nicely maintained and clean and visitors behave respectfully.




























Park visitor painting the pic of surroundings








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[Goran Phuket]

The Tiger Temple, or Wat Pa Luangta Bua Yannasampanno....this sad and God forsaken place ​

I was here once before, took my wife and kid. Left with mixed emotions, hoping and actually believing these poor animals are treated properly.
We all know what happened over here recently, I sure hope people responsible for tiger cubs massacre and illegal wildlife trade are brought to justice.
Pic taken few days before gruesome discovery.
On my way back from Pilok I noticed dozens of government vehicles blocking this very entrance.
Later that evening news broke out about frozen tiger cubs.​

What a beautiful animal...













This is the oldest Tiger at the temple, if I am not mistaken about 15 years old




Monk with the cub







Photo says it all...I was really scared.
Even though tiger was born and raised in captivity, you never know....In my opinion most beautiful animal on this planet of ours.

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[Goran Phuket]

9 Armies Battle Park - Few monuments commemorating the great battle under the command of King Rama I to defend the kingdom against the invasion by King Bodawpaya of Burma. The term "9 Armies" originates from 9 attempts by Burmese to conquer Siam, all proven to be unsuccessful in years 1785-1786.

Early 1785, Burmese King Bodawpaya sent an expedition force to take Junk Ceylon (Phuket) to prevent foreign arms shipment to Siam but the invasion force was repulsed.
In October 1785, Bodawpaya pursued an ambitious campaign to expand his dominions into the lands of the former Ayutthaya Kingdom, he launched a four-pronged invasion towards Chiang Mai, Tak, Kanchanaburi and Junk Ceylon.
The combined army strength was about 50,000 men. The invasion forces had faced some heavy resistance from the Siamese forces and resulted in total disaster for Burmese invaders. Defeat suffered during the invasion turned out to be the last full scale invasion of Siam by Burma.

GPS: 14.21259, 99.23522

Not a living soul around....strange.







The museum barely 50 yards away was closed. No sign or explanation why.



Going up to check that mini-fortress






Big war drum




Right opposite is the shrine in honor of King Rama I




Wish that museum building was open though...​

 

[Goran Phuket]

Erawan Falls, my second visit.

GPS: 14.37584, 99.14406










Seven levels dropping down over 1,500 meters, regarded as most beautiful in Thailand and I have to agree.
The only problem is too many tourists, regardless if it's low or high season.
I love having an option to refresh myself under the waterfall during rides in extremely hot weather and today was no exception.







14.375841, 99.144066 - this is where you park your wheels




Present the ticket to park rangers and trek towards camping site and waterfalls.






Cool, clear water and friendly inquisitive fish






Not much water this time of the year but still lot more than some other notable waterfalls in the area.












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[Goran Phuket]

Just about 4-5 km's away from Erawan stands Srinakarin Dam



Riding all the way up to the dam crest and enjoying route and scenery, accompanied by short rainfall.






This is the largest rock filled clay core dam in Thailand, situated on the Kwai Yai River.
GPS: 14.40645, 99.12642







Lakeview



It is late afternoon and time to reach today's final destination:
RAYA BURI RESORT at Srinakarin Lake.

GPS: 14.47756, 99.12747
WEB: Raya Buri Resort Luxury Resort of Srinakarin Dam, Kanchanaburi

Steep downhill to reach the resort and looks kind of isolated; to my surprise Resort has it's own convenience store.




Reception area





Couldn't get the room at raft so settled for the hillside bungalow with lake view.
Actual room interior. No wi-fi in the rooms, only terrestrial TV channels.







View from the restaurant area. Enjoying my dinner and relaxing. Waiters are all Burmese, 100%...no English spoken at all.
Not surprised, I was the only farang there.











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[Goran Phuket]

Never rode on east side of Srinakarin Lake. Going to hit the ferry across the lake via Si Sawat to Na Suan.
Weather conditions perfect, cool air and dry roads.
Plan is to check famous Huay Mae Khamin Falls and then hit off-road 50km towards Hin Dad Hot Spring.

Now, that is an uncharted territory for me.
I asked number of my friends including our resident off-road maniac Brian if they are familiar with the route.
Apparently nobody has ridden it before. This is how it looks on google maps:

Google Maps

8:30 am and I reached ferry dock at Si Sawat side.
Barge is there alright but no people or vehicles. Not sure of timetable if any...
GPS: 14.66723, 99.05985


Figured better to wait on hillside until someone shows up and about 10 minutes later some guy arrives on scooter.



Ready to go but it will take another 2 hours before barge captain shows up.





While waiting might as well look around and take few shots.



It really is like middle of nowhere but I love it



This guy comes out of nowhere and I know what is his next move. I made sure he didn't do it



Looking around captains cabin, all sorts of funny switches and devices.



There you go, this diesel boy gonna take us to other side.

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[Goran Phuket]

After about 30-40 minutes we hit the other side.



Going straight towards Huay Mae Khamin Falls, from ferry about 12 kilometers of dirt and broken concrete.



Waterfall is part of Khuen Srinagarindra National Park. Very impressed with cleanliness and facilities.



Nice camp site.
In fact after what I've seen before, this and Khao Yai are the most scenic and situated next to very good facilities such as bathrooms and restaurants.
Car park is nearby but far enough not to disturb camp dwellers. Really nice view of the lake and first waterfall tier is 50 meters away.





This is how waterfall usually look like in raining season, pic taken from the net:



And this is now:



All dry...unbelievable!



There are 7 levels down the hill, almost 1,200 meters trek. Hoping to see at least one level with water.



Nicely done, descend takes ages







Well there is some water after all

Right now it is really hot, 11am and I am looking for place to cool off.





Finally! Nobody around, got myself beautiful spot with natural pool. I spent an hour here soaking my dusty butt.



Young couple showed up and offered to take pic of me...sure, use my compact Olympus I said.
And here it is, happiness perpetuated on digital photo.
I just loooove waterfalls...in case you hadn't noticed



20 meters downstream



I have to say even though main attraction tier was without water, this place is something else.
No crowds like Erawan, so quiet and peaceful, camp site is just amazing.
It is perfect spot to come with your buddies, set-up tent, bbq, drink, eat and party all night long.
Gotta do it someday but unfortunately majority of my riding pals prefer overnighting in cities with massage, overcrowded markets and patronizing same restaurant 3 times a day.

Anyway, time to move to that unknown road towards Hin Dad and see what's in store.

It wasn't really 50km off-road, I'd say about 3 quarters but I made it unscathed. Soon, I'll post video of ride thru this particular section.
If fully loaded GS1200 Adventure ridden by enduro novice like myself can make it, anyone can Couple of pics just to tickle your fancy....
Luckily I had no mechanical malfunctions or any other problems: I haven't seen single vehicle or human being during entire ride at this route.







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[furryfanny]

Very interesting report! As for the entrance fee for foreigners, if you stay at the campside would that be a daily fee?
Second question: Possible to buy an older BMW (Paralever R80GS)?

 

[teletubbi]

@furryfanny
Den Park EIntritt zahlt man nur beim betreten.
Übernachtet man dort wird nur die Miete für einen Bungalow (ich glaube 800 THB oder 30 THB für ein gemietetes Zelt) fällig.

Weder Kaidee noch Craigslist Thailand haben etwas in dieser Richtung im Angebot.

 

[Hasi Psong]

Hi @Goran Phuket thanx a lot for this interesting report.i made a trip with my motorbike in may 2017 through
kanchanaburi province ,and i was surprised about the beauty of the landscape there.Though i had some problems
with the daily heat,it was like driving through paradise.looking foward to see more pics .

 

[xxeo]

I do like your pics.

But no question: To make a trip like this requires definitively at least basic knowledge of Thai language.

And a good and reliable car or bike.

 

[Bdaddy]

Great pics.

 

[harlock78]

Awesome pictures and inspiring report. Thank you very much.

 

[Thor]

Very nice and interesting report