Breakfast at Baan Tung Guesthouse, Mae Sot.
Day 13 (18.11.2012) Mae Sot to Bangkok (475km)
After breakfast in our guesthouse we borrowed the guesthouse bicycle and rode to the bus station to get our ticket for Bangkok in the evening at 9.20pm. We then cycled to the friendship bridge which is about 7km away and then cycled towards the westernmost point of Thailand. We cycled back to our guesthouse and later walked to town. Took the overnight bus to Bangkok at 9.20pm.
Sleeping: Overnight bus to Bangkok at B428 1st class pp
Cycled to the Mae Sot bus station to get our bus ticket for Bangkok in the evening at 9.20pm.
Cycled to the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge at Mae Sot.
At the entrance of Mae Sot Friendship Bridge is the immigration office which is open from 6am. to 6pm.
Lee Kam Boon with other people waiting to cross the bridge over to the Burmese town of Myawaddy at Mae Sot.
The Moei River serves as a natural border between Mae Sot and the Burmese town of Myawaddy.
The Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge crossing the Moei River was constructed in 1997 completing the link between the two countries. It is 420m long and 13m wide. Thai people and residents of Mae Sot district can travel or drive across the bridge, however, a border pass is required. There are border soldiers patrolling the river like this guy at Mae Sot.
Bernard Lee and Lee Kam Boon at the Western Most Point of Thailand on the Moei River at Mae Sot.
Bernard Lee and Ching Neng Bin at the Western Most Point of Thailand on the Moei River at Mae Sot.
Mae Sot is the Western Most Point of Thailand on the Moei River.
Walking out of Baan Tung Guesthouse, Ching Neng Bin said “Mae Sot is really for the traveler, not the tourist”.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) AAPP is an independent, non-profit organization that monitors the situation regarding political prisoners in Burma, including human rights violations, persecution and intimidation to both current and former political prisoners and their families. Run by former political prisoners, the office contains a small museum dedicated to Burma's political prisoners that displays the history, items smuggled out and the shocking human rights abuses endured in Burma's notorious prisons and labour camps.
A replica prison cell on display in the museum, a model of the notorious Insein prison, portraits of Burma's political prisoners adorn the walls of the museum and the prison leg shackles.
On the left is Mr. Aung Myo Thein who was jailed for his role in leading demonstrations against Burma's military regime during the mass uprising in 1988. He was given an 8 year sentence and spent more than 6 years in Insein prison. After his release he continued his work in the democracy movement until he was forced to flee Burma in December 2007 after the Saffron Revolution. He fled leaving his 6 year old son behind whom he hadn’t seen for more than 3 years since he had been in hiding. He now lives in exile in Thailand where he continues his work in the struggle for democracy in Burma with his fellow former political prisoners at the 'Assistance Association for Political Prisoners' in Mae Sot.
Walking through the Mae Sot day market seeing some weird stuff for sale.
Turtles and frogs available at Mae Sot food stalls for cooking.
Eels available at Mae Sot food stalls for cooking.
Turtles available at Mae Sot food stalls for cooking.
Mae Sot is a town in western Thailand that shares a border with Burma to the west. It is notable as a trade hub and for its substantial population of Burmese migrants and refugees.
The town is part of the larger Tak Province and is the main land gateway between Thailand and Burma. As a result it has also gained notoriety for its trade in gems and teak, as well as black market services such as people trafficking and drugs.
We had steam boat for lunch in Mae Sot.
We had steam boat for lunch in Mae Sot.
A German Spitz dog in Mae Sot.
A lady fashion shop in Mae Sot.
There is a beautiful Mae Sot Chinese temple right after the police station near Krua Canadian that are worth a visit.
Beautiful Mae Sot Chinese temple that host a wonderful Vegetarian Festival every year in October.
Beautiful Mae Sot Chinese temple that host a wonderful Vegetarian Festival every year in October.
The main shrine hall of Mae Sot Chinese temple.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Auntie's B and B is a tiny friendly and comfortable bed & breakfast that will make you feel like home when staying here.
They also have a good selection on their menu with a big breakfast, excellent coffee, a selection of teas, and delicious yoghurt smoothies. Intarakeeree Rd. Standing on the left is the boss.
Day 14 (19.11.2012) Bangkok
The bus arrived at Bangkok in the morning at 4.30am and we took the local bus (B11pp) to BTS Mo Chit N8 station to Surasak station and took exit 1 to walk to Saphai-Pae hostel.
After breakfast in our guesthouse we borrowed the guesthouse bicycle and rode to the bus station to get our ticket for Bangkok in the evening at 9.20pm. We then cycled to the friendship bridge which is about 7km away and then cycled towards the westernmost point of Thailand. We cycled back to our guesthouse and later walked to town. Took the overnight bus to Bangkok at 9.20pm.
Sleeping: Overnight bus to Bangkok at B428 1st class pp
Cycled to the Mae Sot bus station to get our bus ticket for Bangkok in the evening at 9.20pm.
Cycled to the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge at Mae Sot.
At the entrance of Mae Sot Friendship Bridge is the immigration office which is open from 6am. to 6pm.
Lee Kam Boon with other people waiting to cross the bridge over to the Burmese town of Myawaddy at Mae Sot.
The Moei River serves as a natural border between Mae Sot and the Burmese town of Myawaddy.
The Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge crossing the Moei River was constructed in 1997 completing the link between the two countries. It is 420m long and 13m wide. Thai people and residents of Mae Sot district can travel or drive across the bridge, however, a border pass is required. There are border soldiers patrolling the river like this guy at Mae Sot.
Bernard Lee and Lee Kam Boon at the Western Most Point of Thailand on the Moei River at Mae Sot.
Bernard Lee and Ching Neng Bin at the Western Most Point of Thailand on the Moei River at Mae Sot.
Mae Sot is the Western Most Point of Thailand on the Moei River.
Walking out of Baan Tung Guesthouse, Ching Neng Bin said “Mae Sot is really for the traveler, not the tourist”.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) AAPP is an independent, non-profit organization that monitors the situation regarding political prisoners in Burma, including human rights violations, persecution and intimidation to both current and former political prisoners and their families. Run by former political prisoners, the office contains a small museum dedicated to Burma's political prisoners that displays the history, items smuggled out and the shocking human rights abuses endured in Burma's notorious prisons and labour camps.
A replica prison cell on display in the museum, a model of the notorious Insein prison, portraits of Burma's political prisoners adorn the walls of the museum and the prison leg shackles.
On the left is Mr. Aung Myo Thein who was jailed for his role in leading demonstrations against Burma's military regime during the mass uprising in 1988. He was given an 8 year sentence and spent more than 6 years in Insein prison. After his release he continued his work in the democracy movement until he was forced to flee Burma in December 2007 after the Saffron Revolution. He fled leaving his 6 year old son behind whom he hadn’t seen for more than 3 years since he had been in hiding. He now lives in exile in Thailand where he continues his work in the struggle for democracy in Burma with his fellow former political prisoners at the 'Assistance Association for Political Prisoners' in Mae Sot.
Walking through the Mae Sot day market seeing some weird stuff for sale.
Turtles and frogs available at Mae Sot food stalls for cooking.
Eels available at Mae Sot food stalls for cooking.
Turtles available at Mae Sot food stalls for cooking.
Mae Sot is a town in western Thailand that shares a border with Burma to the west. It is notable as a trade hub and for its substantial population of Burmese migrants and refugees.
The town is part of the larger Tak Province and is the main land gateway between Thailand and Burma. As a result it has also gained notoriety for its trade in gems and teak, as well as black market services such as people trafficking and drugs.
We had steam boat for lunch in Mae Sot.
We had steam boat for lunch in Mae Sot.
A German Spitz dog in Mae Sot.
A lady fashion shop in Mae Sot.
There is a beautiful Mae Sot Chinese temple right after the police station near Krua Canadian that are worth a visit.
Beautiful Mae Sot Chinese temple that host a wonderful Vegetarian Festival every year in October.
Beautiful Mae Sot Chinese temple that host a wonderful Vegetarian Festival every year in October.
The main shrine hall of Mae Sot Chinese temple.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Wat Chumphon Khiri Pagoda, Mae Sot.
Auntie's B and B is a tiny friendly and comfortable bed & breakfast that will make you feel like home when staying here.
They also have a good selection on their menu with a big breakfast, excellent coffee, a selection of teas, and delicious yoghurt smoothies. Intarakeeree Rd. Standing on the left is the boss.
Day 14 (19.11.2012) Bangkok
The bus arrived at Bangkok in the morning at 4.30am and we took the local bus (B11pp) to BTS Mo Chit N8 station to Surasak station and took exit 1 to walk to Saphai-Pae hostel.
To catch up with lost sleep in the overnight bus, we slept till noon before we walked to explore the city centre. Had chicken rice for lunch at China Town. We had a very good dinner at Ban Khun Mae Restaurant near Siam Paragon Supermarket.
Sleeping: Saphai-Pae hostel dorm at B390 pp.
The bus arrived Bangkok in the morning at 4.30am and we took the local bus (B11pp) to BTS Mo Chit N8 station.
Taking the BTS at Mo Chit N8 station to Surasak station in Bangkok.
Taking the BTS at Mo Chit N8 station to Surasak station in Bangkok.
Taking the BTS at Mo Chit N8 station to Surasak station in Bangkok.
Taking the BTS at Mo Chit N8 station to Surasak station in Bangkok.
At the BTS Surasak station over looking the Siam Square in Bangkok.
At the BTS Surasak station over looking the Siam Square in Bangkok.
Saphai-Pae hostel is the biggest backpackers hostel in Thailand - its only 5minute walk from Surasak BTS Station and take exit No.1, turn right onto Surasak Road behind the Honda showroom.
The large and spacious Saphai-Pae hostel lobby in Bangkok.
Sleeping: Saphai-Pae hostel dorm at B390 pp.
The bus arrived Bangkok in the morning at 4.30am and we took the local bus (B11pp) to BTS Mo Chit N8 station.
Taking the BTS at Mo Chit N8 station to Surasak station in Bangkok.
Taking the BTS at Mo Chit N8 station to Surasak station in Bangkok.
Taking the BTS at Mo Chit N8 station to Surasak station in Bangkok.
Taking the BTS at Mo Chit N8 station to Surasak station in Bangkok.
At the BTS Surasak station over looking the Siam Square in Bangkok.
At the BTS Surasak station over looking the Siam Square in Bangkok.
Saphai-Pae hostel is the biggest backpackers hostel in Thailand - its only 5minute walk from Surasak BTS Station and take exit No.1, turn right onto Surasak Road behind the Honda showroom.
The large and spacious Saphai-Pae hostel lobby in Bangkok.
Look at Bearnard Lee sleepy face - we had Saphai-Pae hostel breakfast at 8am.
We walked to explore the Bangkok city centre.
We walked to explore the Bangkok city centre.
MRT to the Hua Lamphong Railway Station to get our train ticket to Butterworth on 26th Nov.
At Hua Lamphong Railway Station to get our train ticket to Butterworth on 26th Nov.
Hua Lamphong station, is the central station in Bangkok.
We walked to explore the Ong Ang Canal in Bangkok China Town.
We walked to explore the Bangkok China Town.
Bangkok China Town Wat Traimit, a 3 floor museum covers the history of the Golden Buddha image itself.
One end of Chinatown, in what was once an otherwise unremarkable temple of Wat Traimit, sits the world's largest solid gold Buddha image.
Wat Traimit is home to the world's largest solid gold Buddha image, the five-ton-plus image sits in a small wiharn within the temple.
Bangkok's Chinatown district runs along Yaowarat Road from Odeon Circle, where a huge ceremonial Chinese gate unmistakably marks the entrance, up to the Ong Ang Canal, which marks the outer boundaries of the royal district. Yaowarat Road itself is lined with many gold shops, and Chinatown is indeed one of the better places to shop for gold.
Exploring the Siam Square probably best known for shopping, with many bargain outlets.
Exploring the Siam Square probably best known for shopping, with many bargain outlets.
A walk-about advertisement for Magnum ice-cream at Siam Square.
We had a very good dinner at Ban Khun Mae Restaurant near Siam Paragon Supermarket.
The Ban Khun Mae Restaurant menu is so rustic painted on wood and individually hand written.
This Ban Khun Mae Restaurant has got a beautiful Thai musician playing a traditional Thai music.
If you are in the Siam Square area and looking for a place to eat, I would highly recommend Ban Khun Mae. The food is very authentic and tasty, and prices are quite reasonable.
Ban Khun Mae restaurant in Siam Square serves authentic and tasty Thai dishes.
Ban Khun Mae restaurant in Siam Square near Siam Paragon Supermarket serves authentic and tasty Thai dishes and desserts. There's the usual sweet dessert of sweet cakes, pumpkins, tapioca, sweet potatoes.
Ban Khun Mae restaurant sweet dessert of sweet cakes, pumpkins, tapioca, sweet potatoes.
Ban Khun Mae restaurant sweet dessert of sweet cakes, pumpkins, tapioca, sweet potatoes.
Ban Khun Mae restaurant cold dessert of sweet cakes, pumpkins, tapioca, sweet potatoes.
The latest Canon camera on display in Bangkok.
The lagest Canon camera on display in Bangkok.
Exploring the Siam Square and Siam Paragon Supermarket.
Exploring the Siam Square and Siam Paragon Supermarket.
Exploring the Siam Square and Siam Paragon Supermarket.
Exploring the Siam Square and Siam Paragon Supermarket.
Exploring the Siam Square and Siam Paragon Supermarket.
Exploring the Siam Square and Siam Paragon Supermarket.
Day 1, 2 - KL to Chiangmai
Day 3 - Chiangmai to Thaton
Day 4 - Thaton by River Boat to Chiangrai
Day 5 - White Temple of Chiangrai
Day 6 - Chiangrai day trip to Mae Salong and Mae Fah Luang
Day 7 - Chiangrai to Phu Chi Fa
Day 8 - Phu Chi Fa to Phayao
Day 9,10 Phayao to Chiangmai to Mae Sariang
Day 11,12 - Mae Sariang to Mae Sot
Day 13,14 - Mae Sot to Bangkok
Day 15,16 - Bangkok – Kanchanaburi - Sangkhlaburi
Day 17,18 - Sangkhlaburi – Ayutthaya
Day 19-22 - Ayutthaya - Bangkok – Butterworth
Day 3 - Chiangmai to Thaton
Day 4 - Thaton by River Boat to Chiangrai
Day 5 - White Temple of Chiangrai
Day 6 - Chiangrai day trip to Mae Salong and Mae Fah Luang
Day 7 - Chiangrai to Phu Chi Fa
Day 8 - Phu Chi Fa to Phayao
Day 9,10 Phayao to Chiangmai to Mae Sariang
Day 11,12 - Mae Sariang to Mae Sot
Day 13,14 - Mae Sot to Bangkok
Day 15,16 - Bangkok – Kanchanaburi - Sangkhlaburi
Day 17,18 - Sangkhlaburi – Ayutthaya
Day 19-22 - Ayutthaya - Bangkok – Butterworth
| Day | Expenses | THB total | per pax |
| 13 | 1st class bus ticket Mae Sot to bangkok | 2,140 | 428 |
| steamboat lunch | 710 | 142 | |
| bread | 198 | 40 | |
| fruits juice | 250 | 50 | |
| tuktuk to Mae Sot bus station | 200 | 40 | |
| Fried rice dinner | 135 | 27 | |
| tips to stalin (Baan Tung mgr) | 100 | 20 |
| 14 | Public bus Mo Chit to bts N8 | 55 | 11 |
| Room - Saphaipae hostel | 1,950 | 390 | |
| bts 1 day pass 150 X 5 | 650 | 130 | |
| 2nd class sleeper train to butterworth | 5,870 | 1,174 | |
| lunch - Chicken rice in Chinatown | 221 | 44 | |
| mrt to hualamphong | 90 | 18 | |
| mrt to Silom/Sala Daeng | 90 | 18 | |
| fruits | 160 | 32 | |
| Drinks at Ban Khun Mae | 370 | 74 | |
| Dinner @ Ban Khun Mae | 1,940 | 388 | |
| water | 60 | 12 |
/// Northern Thailand Adventure, Mountains, Rivers and Temples 6th to 27th November 2012
Thailand's allowing a political prisoners museum for Myammar refugees perhaps stands to remind its citizens the freedom Thai people enjoy. Of course the restive Southern provinces of Yala, Patani & Naratiwat remain defiant to the central govt. Chinese temples' existence indicates Chinese people's presence over Northern Thailand. Read that some of them are descendants of Kuomintang troops when Mao took over China. Pointed roofs of Burmese styled temples adorned the skyline of Mae Sot, making the scene a pleasant photo-shot landmark. Sadly, human misery never ends; human and drugs trafficking are rampant as it's reported frequently in this part of Thailand. Seemed like a Western Cowboy town alright. The Aunt B & B Hotel looked cosy with the friendly boss taking a pic with you fellas.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Alancykok