Bangkok to Chiang Mai: A five-day, four-night trip to view blooming “Phya sua krong” flowers (also known as Thai sakura).

(Bangkok – Bhumibol Dam – Chae Son National Park – Khun Chang Khien Hmong village – Huai Nam Dang National Park – Bangkok)

The trip starts in Bangkok at 6am on Phahonyothin Road (Highway 1). Stop for breakfast at Pak Bang Market on the bank of the Chao Phya River in Sing Buri’s Phrom Buri district. We recommend traditional “phad thai” fried noodle for breakfast and “khanom pia” stuffed bun as a snack for the road. Continue the trip on Highway 1 to Nakhon Sawan. A short distance after the Phayuha Khiri junction, you turn into a bypass and head for Kamphaeng Phet and then Tak. It is time for a stop for lunch at Muang Tak Market. Then resume the trip and head for the Bhumibol Dam, where you can spend the night. Drive along the road to Ban Tak district, get into Sam Ngao district and turn left at the entrance to the Bhumibol Dam. You can stay overnight on a raft house just above the dam. There is enough time to relax and watch the sun set.

The next morning, you can watch the sun rise just above the dam. After breakfast, there is time for a stroll on the dam.

Later in the morning, the trip resumes and the next destination is the Chae Son National Park in Lampang’s Mueang Pan district. Continue on Highway 1 to Lampang. When arriving at Koh Kha district, turn into Highway 1034 and head for Hang Chat district for a visit to Phra That Lampang Luang Temple. Then make a U-turn and head for Mueang district to get to the Chae Son National Park, which is located about 75 kilometres from Mueang district. Here, you can enjoy a bath in spring water and spend the night at the park’s lodging (reservation required).

The following morning, continue the trip to Chiang Mai. Tonight will be spent at Khun Chang Khien Hmong village, a new place in a forest of “Phya sua krong”. Drive along the main road to get past Lamphun and enter Chiang Mai. Turn right to the route for Doi Suthep, where you may visit Phra That Doi Suthep stupa. At around noon, resume the trip from the Palace route. Drive past Doi Pui Hmong village and turn right into a small road with a sign pointing to Khun Chang Khien Hmong village. You should drive with special care in this part as the road is very narrow, steep and winding. The night will be spent at the Doi Suthep-Pui tent ground, in the midst of a “Phya sua krong” forest. There are food shops in this area.

Next morning, it is a trip to the Hmong village, which is not far away, to view the blooming “Phya sua krong” flowers along the road. Parts of the route are paved with compressed red soil, but they are not too difficult for a passenger car. You can find fresh coffee at the place’s only shop, which is part of a Chiang Mai University agricultural station project.

You can spend the entire morning taking photographs and relax. On the return drive to Chiang Mai, you should take the same route. Then head for Mae Rim district, turn into Highway 1095 and continue to the Huai Nam Dang National Park. Stop for lunch at Mae Malai Market in Mae Taeng district. Then continue on Highway 1095 until you reach the Huai Nam Dang National Park, where you can spend the night.

Next morning is time to enjoy viewing a sea of fog and a stroll close to the Nature. After breakfast, prepare for the ride back. You may stop at the entrance to the Mok Fa waterfalls for a cup of coffee at Paen Kled shop. Then head back to Chiang Mai. While on the way, you may stop for lunch and souvenir shopping at Waroros Market. Then it is a long drive to Bangkok.

Remarks: The “Phya sua krong” flower blooms when the weather is cold. It is recommended that you check beforehand. All kinds of vehicle can be used for such a trip. National parks have lodgings and food shops.

To the North and Northeast

Route 1: Start from Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road (Highway 31) or the Don Muang Tollway, then Uttaraphimuk Road and get into Phahonyothin Road (Highway 1). When you reach the Bang Pa-in interchange, get into Asia Highway (Highway 32) and head for Ayutthaya and then Angthong to go North. You may enter Phahonyothin Road (Highway 1) and head for Saraburi to go Northeast. (0-2521-3745, 0-2529-1441, 0-3524-5093)

Route 2: Start from Rattanathibet Road (Highway 302) and enter Bang Bua Thong-Suphan Buri Road (Highway 340), then turn right to Western Ring Road (Highway 9). From the Bang Pa-in interchange, get into Phahonyothin Road (Highway 1) and head for Saraburi if you are Northeast-bound and opt for Asia Highway (Highway 32) if you are North-bound. (0-2529-1441, 0-2527-2488, 0-3524-5093)

Route 3: Start from Rattanathibet Road (Highway 302) and travel on Bang Bua Thong-Suphan Buri Road (Highway 340). Get past Suphan Buri and enter Chai Nat. Then get into Asia Highway (Highway 32) and head for Nakhon Sawan before entering the North. (0-2527 2488, 0-3555-5434)

Route 4: Start from Ram Inthra Road (Highway 304), enter Lam Luk Ka interchange (Highway 9). When you arrive at Phahonyothin junction (Highway 1), turn right to head for the Northeast, or turn left at the Bang Pa-in interchange to enter Asia Highway (Highway 32) for the North. (0-2521-3745, 0-3524-5039, 0-3621-1105)

Route 5: Start from Chaeng Wattana Road (Highway 304), at the Ha Yaek Pak Kret (five-way junction), turn right to cross over Bang Phoon-Bang Pahan Road (Highway 347). Get past the Chiang Rak Noi interchange and enter Asia Highway (Highway 32) at Bang Pahan district for the North, or enter Phahonyothin Road (Highway 1) to head for Saraburi if you are Northeast-bound. (0-2529-1441, 0-3524-5093, 0-3621-1105)

Route 6: Starting from Rangsit interchange, you should travel along Rangsit-Ongkarak Road (Highway 305). Get past the Thanyaburi interchange and head for Nakhon Nayok and then Kabin Buri before bounding for the Northeast. (0-2529-1441, 0-3733-5383)

Route 7: Starting from Ram Inthra, you should travel along Ram Inthra-Suwinthawong Road (Highway 304). On this route, you will pass Chachoengsao, Phanom Sarakham, Kabin Buri, Pak Thong Chai before entering Friendship Road (Highway 2) to head for the Northeast. (0 2521-3745, 0 3851-1015)

Recommended routes to avoid the Dechatiwong Bridge

Route 1: Highway 11 (Starting at In Buri-Phitsanulok junction). When you arrive at In Buri interchange (Highway 32, Kilometre 158), turn right to enter Highway 11. Then you will travel past the districts of Tak Fa, Tha Tako and Sak Lek. When arriving at Wang Thong three-way junction, turn left to enter Highway 12 and travel through Phitsanulok before entering the North.

Route 2: From Mueang Nakhon Sawan western bypass to Krok Phra district. When arriving at Tha Nam Oi three-way junction (Highway 1, Kilometre 206), turn left to Highway 333 and then turn right to Highway 3220 after getting past Uthai Thani. Turn right at the Krok Phra junction (where Highways 3319, 3229 and 3005 meet), go along Highway 3005 and turn left at the next intersection. Go along Highway 122 and turn left at the Ban Nong Tako junction to enter Highway 1 and go through Kamphaeng Phet to head for the North.

Route 3: From Mueang Nakhon Sawan western bypass to Kamphaeng Phet. When arriving at Tha Nam Oi three-way junction (Highway 1, Kilometre 206), go along Highway 1 and turn left to Highway 122 at Mueang Nakhon Sawan bypass junction (Highway 1, Kilometre 227). Then turn left at the Ban Nong Tako junction to enter Highway 1 and drive through Kamphaeng Phet for the North.

Route 4: From Mueang Nakhon Sawan western bypass to Phitsanulok. Follow the same path as Route 3 (from Tha Nam Oi junction to Ban Nong Tako junction) and then make a U-turn to enter Highway 117 for Phitsanulok before going further north.

To the East

Route 8: Drive along Bang Na-Bang Pakong Road (Highway 34) and turn left at Kilometre 39 to enter Bangkok-Chon Buri Motorway (Highway 7) at the Bang Khwai interchange. Then head for Pattaya and the eastern seaboard. (0-2397-4086, 0-3875-8538)

Route 9: From Srinakarin Road (Highway 3344), get into Bangkok-Chon Buri Motorway (Highway 7) and then head for Pattaya and the eastern seaboard. (0-2397-4086, 0-3857-8626)

Route 10: From Ram Inthra Road (Highway 304), drive along Suwinthawong Road (Highway 304). After driving past Chachoengsao, enter Highway 314 and then Bangkok-Chon Buri Motorway (Highway 7) to head for Pattaya and the eastern seaboard. (0-2521-3745, 0 3851-1015, 0-3857-8626)

To the South

Route 11: Start from Thon Buri-Pak Tho Road (Highway 35-Rama II) and enter Petchkasem Road (Highway 4) to head for the South. (0-2420-6821)

Route 12: Start from Petchkasem Road (Highway 4) and get past Nakhon Pathom’s Sam Phran district, Photharam and Pak Tho districts in Ratchaburi, before heading for the South. (0-2420-6821, 0 3425-8856)

Route 13: Start from the new Southern Bus Terminus, enter Bangkok Noi-Nakhon Chaisi Road (Highway 338). Then drive past Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi and Phetchaburi before heading southward. (0-2420-6821, 0-2433-0797, 0-3425-8856)

Recommended routes to avoid congestion on Highways 4

Route 1: The route that links Highways 338, 4 and 35. Begin at the Chim Phli interchange, go straight to Highway 9 (Western Ring Road) and then turn right for Highway 4 (Petchkasem Road), or continue ahead to Bang Khunthien interchange for Highway 35 and head for Pak Tho district to get to the South.

Route 2: The route that connects Highways 338, 4 and 35. Start from the junction to Buddha Monthon Road 4 (Highway 3310), turn right to enter Road 4 and turn left for Highway 3091 at the Setthakit Road junction. When you reach Samut Sakhon interchange, get into Highway 35 for Pak Tho district before heading South.

Route 3: The route that connects Highways 338, 4 and 35. Begin at the junction to Buddha Monthon Road 5 (Highway 3414), drive straight to the Buddha Monthon Road 4 junction. Take a U-turn and get into Highway 3091. Drive further to Samut Sakhon interchange before entering Highway 35 for Samut Sakhon’s Pak Tho district.

Route 4: The route that links Highways 4 and 35. Start from Phra Pathon junction, turn left to Highway 3097. Drive straight to Ban Phaew district until you find Highway 35 ahead. Take a U-turn under the bridge ahead to enter Highway 35 before heading for Pak Tho district and the South.

Before a self-drive trip, you should carefully study the route to determine if there is any location that is not accessible by a passenger car. Some remote tourist destinations or natural exploration sites may be accessible by a normal pickup truck but others can be accessible only by a four-wheel-drive vehicle. If you know about the fact beforehand, you can pick the right vehicle.

In addition to your usual materials for a long journey, travelling by a 4WD vehicle may require additional preparation for the engine, as well as some necessary devices that may become necessary on a rough road. These include a spade to level the track’s surface and a tow rope for a vehicle with no winch.

Driving “off-road” is far different from driving on public roads in many ways. It is difficult to control the steering wheel, especially on muddy terrains where the harder you resist, the easier your wheels get trapped in the mud.

Brake failure is a common problem in off-road driving. That is when the brake pedal feels softer than normal due to the seepage of mud water into the brake system. Fine sands and grains of rock penetrate between the brake pad and the brake disc and wear them down. As a result, the brake makes a loud noise when you press the pedal. Mud also settles on springs and cylinders and can cause them to rust and fall apart.

To fix it, you need to open the brake disc and wash out the soil and mud. Then readjust the clearance between the brake pad and the brake disc. You should also check whether the hand brake’s tautness is correct.

For those who drive on an exploration trail in the forest, you should watch for tree branches or small undergrowth near the ground. They may puncture or sever a brake cable and cause the brake oil to leak. This will lead to the most dangerous type of brake failure. So you should carefully examine your vehicle’s brake system every time you leave the forest.

When you see a road accident while driving, do not slow down just to see what has happened. You may be obstructing traffic and the rescue team. When an accident happens just in front of you, you should slow down in order to avoid a mishap. Turn on the left and right turn signals alternately to inform the motorists behind you. You should also call to report the incident. If you want to help the accident victims yourself, you should park your car carefully in a safe place in order to avoid another accident.

Important telephone numbers

Transport Ministry Safety Centre                              1356

Highway Department Safety Centre                           0-2354-6832-39

Highway Department Public Relations Centre         1586

Highway Police                                                            1193

Tourist Police                                                               1155

Traffic Control Centre                                                1197

Traffic Information Centre                                          1543

Narendhorn Centre (emergency cases)                       1669

Jor Sor 100 traffic radio                                              1137

Ruam Duay Chuay Kan traffic radio                         1677

Sor Wor Por 91 traffic radio                                      1644

Accidents often take place on secondary roads, particularly during long public holidays. So you should take extra care when driving on a secondary road. You should watch for motorcycles or farm trucks that may have no light signals or may be going against the traffic. It is best not to drive at a high speed.

You should also watch for railroad crossings. On rural roads, some railroad crossings have no proper barriers. So every time, before you drive across a railroad, you should look on both sides of the tracks to make sure there is no train coming. Even though the train may be a safe distance away, it would be better to first let it go. You must stop your vehicle at least five metres away from the tracks. When the train has passed and there is a signal for the waiting vehicles to move on, you may drive past the crossing.

Stopping is prohibited in the following areas:

1. In traffic lanes, except on the far-left lane next to the pavement when there is no bus lane
2. On a pavement
3. On a bridge or in a tunnel
4. At a junction
5. In a designated “no-stop” zone
6. At an entrance to a building
7. In a way that obstructs traffic

Brake failure

While driving, if you step on the brake pedal and it feels soft and the vehicle does not slow down, it indicates brake failure. Do not panic. You need to concentrate on the situation at hand to ensure that you do things correctly. First, keep the steering wheel stable and then shift to lower gears, one by one, to slow down the vehicle. You may use the hand brake to help reduce the car’s speed. Control the steering wheel to avoid other vehicles or other obstacles until you can safely park your car.

Tyre burst

Tyre explosion may be caused by unusually low air pressure in the tyre. An initial indication is that the steering wheel feels very heavy. When a left tyre bursts, the vehicle swerves to the right before turning sharply to the left. When a right tyre bursts, the vehicle turns sharply to the left first before veering to the right. You should avoid abrupt braking as the vehicle will overturn. Instead, keep the vehicle stable. And don’t press the clutch to change gears abruptly. Doing so will disconnect the engine from the transmission system. You should lightly press the brake, little by little, to reduce the speed. Then you should shift to lower gears and control the vehicle to stop at the roadside. Don’t forget to turn on the emergency lights to tell other vehicles that your car has a problem.

Emergency lights should be switched on when your car is stationary in order to warn fellow motorists that there is a car being parked there. Do not keep the emergency lights on when your car is moving.

More importantly, while driving at a high speed, you must not press the brake pedal, or you will lose control of the vehicle and cause it to overturn. When the speed gets lower, you may begin to brake, park the vehicle and turn on the emergency lights.

If you are driving behind a truck or a trailer truck, particularly on a narrow, winding or sloping road, you should watch the light signals given. When the truck is close to the left side of the road and the left turn signal is on, that means you can overtake. The right turn signal means you must not overtake as there may be another vehicle coming from the opposite direction. Alternating left and right turn signals mean you must not overtake as there is some obstacle or an accident ahead. With those warning signals from the truck in front, you should slow down your car and not try to overtake it. You may give the same signal to warn the vehicles behind you.
Giving such signals can be done both at night and during daytime.

For a long trip, motorists often opt to drive at night. It is because there is less traffic than at daytime and it is not as hot. They can begin their trip after work. But motorists must be cautioned that they should not drive while tired or sleepy, which can happen after driving for a long period.

Motorists often fall asleep at the wheel some time between 1am and 5am. So when you drive for a distance, you should get into a petrol station for some exercise or some rest.

Drinking hot coffee can refresh you, but it is not sufficient if you are very tired. In which case, you could better do with some rest at a petrol station, at a police checkpoint or at a Highway Department rest area especially available during long public holidays.

You should also take extra care when driving at night. The visibility is poorer than during day time. Along parts of the route that are dark or poorly lit, you may turn on the high beam to improve visibility. But you should switch back to the normal beam when following another car or when there is another vehicle coming in the opposite direction. Keeping the high beam on can be dangerous and is considered a bad manners.
Driving at night, you should focus on using light signals rather than honking because it is more clearly visible. For example, if a driver ahead of you is about to make a turn at a close range, you should flick the high beam a few times to tell him that you want to pass first.

While it is raining or following a downpour, parts of the road surface get flooded, which becomes an obstacle for driving. Driving on an inundated road calls for low speed and a slow drive, in order to prevent water from splashing into the engine and stop its functioning. You should keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. Slow down when another vehicle, particularly a large one, is coming on the opposite lane, in order to prevent waves of water from hitting the engine and causing it to stop. You should also avoid braking while driving on a flooded road and keep an eye on the vehicles behind. Brakes have reduced efficiency on flooded roads.
After driving past a flooded area, you should start braking lightly to remove moisture from the brake pads. You must take extra care and avoid driving at high speed while in a flooded area. You may lose control of the vehicle and the water may splash onto the windscreen and block your view of the road ahead. Driving at high speed near the pavement may cause floodwater to splash onto pedestrians, which is regarded as a bad manners.
Driving on parts of a road with uneven surface, you should take extra care and reduce the speed. Driving past such an area at high speed can cause you to lose control of the vehicle.

Driving on an expressway and a motorway
You can drive at a higher speed on an expressway or a motorway when compared to a normal road. The speed limit for a normal road is 90 kilometres/hour, compared to up to 120 for a motorway. On an expressway, there are no obstacles, no vehicles from the opposite direction, and no intersections. They are long roadways, so driving at a high speed is acceptable in normal traffic conditions. However, careless driving on an expressway could cause a serious accident and greater damage than on a normal road.

Before every road trip, you should study the route by calling to check the traffic condition or listening to the traffic radio. By doing so, you can avoid traffic congestion caused by road accidents. Some accidents can cause serious traffic jams. While driving on an expressway, you should pay attention to messages on the electronic notice boards that offer traffic information. Making a wrong decision may cause you to get trapped in a serious congestion on the expressway.

You must take extra care while driving in rainy conditions. You should learn what can be done while driving in such conditions. One thing that you should avoid – something misused by many motorists – is to drive while keeping the emergency lights on. Emergency lights can be turned on only when your car is stationary in order to tell other motorists that your car has a problem and is being parked. Driving while keeping the emergency lights on can lead to an accident as the motorists behind and in front of you are not alerted when you are about to take a turn.

First, you need to reduce the speed, particularly in areas with flooded road surface and slopes. Use a low gear, preferably the second gear, which can ensure a stable speed. Control the vehicle carefully so that it moves as slowly as possible. Do not get too close to the vehicle in front of you and leave a safe distance. On wet roads, it is more difficult to control the car than on a dry surface.

Driving on a flooded road, you must avoid braking abruptly because the vehicle may lose control or swerve. It is more difficult to stop a vehicle on a wet road than on a dry surface.

After turning the steering wheel on one side, you will have to turn it back to the other side. In case you lose control of your vehicle, you should be calm and not press the brake immediately. Reduce the speed and shift to a lower gear. Abrupt braking or turning the steering wheel can cause the vehicle to overturn. When speed is reduced and you can regain control of the vehicle, it is time to sharply turn the steering wheel.

If the rains are so heavy that you cannot see the road ahead, you should turn on the headlights and slow down the vehicle. If turning on the headlights does not improve visibility, it is advisable that you park your car on the roadside and resume your drive when the weather improves.

• Do not use neutral gear
• Do not press the clutch
• Avoid braking constantly
• Do not stop the engine
• Use the low gears
• Drive close to the left side of the road
• Honk to warn coming vehicles, in case the road is narrow and when there is a curve ahead.

In case you have to park or stop your car on a slope, a thick piece of wood or a rock should be pressed against a tyre and the steering wheel turned to a position that would prevent the vehicle from moving downhill into a ravine.

While driving downhill, you need to take extra care in controlling the wheel as the car’s speed increases. You must use a low gear to curb the speed. If the engine stops while driving downhill, you are advised to press the brake and apply the hand brake before parking the vehicle on the roadside. A rock or a thick piece of wood should be placed against a tyre to prevent the car from moving downhill.

Remember: You must not try to overtake while driving uphill or downhill. It is dangerous because you cannot see an oncoming vehicle.
Frequent use of the brake while driving downhill may cause brake failure and loss of control of the vehicle. You are advised to use a low gear and avoid using the brake to reduce speed. You require extra driving skills other than those you learn from driving on a normal road. A well-maintained vehicle will help increase safety in this condition

Before driving, motorists must ensure that they are well-prepared. Avoid the following prohibited or inappropriate behaviours.

• Having common-cold pills, feeling sleepy, or tired
• Under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants
• Under the influence of such stimulants as amphetamine and methamphetamine (yaa baa)
• Driving without licence
• Obstructing traffic
• Driving recklessly, which can cause damage to people or properties
• Driving with either front or rear view, or both blocked
• Driving between traffic lanes, except when changing lanes, taking a turn, or making a U-turn
• Driving on a pavement without proper reasons, except for a baby buggy or wheelchair for a patient or a disabled person.
• Driving while using a phone. If unavoidable, you should use an earphone device or park your car before using the phone.

Giving signals
Motorists must make it a habit to indicate turn signals so that other people on the road realise where they are heading. Motorists should show turn signals when they are about to turn left or right, make a U-turn, change lanes, overtake another vehicle, or even before leaving the parking space. The turn signals should be on at a distance of 30 metres before you make a turn.

Emergency lights can be turned on only when your vehicle is parked in a traffic lane due to engine or device malfunctioning, after an accident, or if there’s an accident ahead. Emergency lights can be used only when your vehicle is parked. Many motorists often turn on emergency lights while driving in heavy rain. They are mistaken in thinking that doing so would caution fellow drivers in following vehicles to be more careful. But those drivers will not be alerted when you are about to change lanes. It will increase rather than reduce any risk. And you may end up being rear-ended. If you have to follow a car with the emergency lights on, you should leave an appropriate distance between the two vehicles.

Driving past an intersection, a junction or a circle
When arriving at an intersection or a junction, you are advised to do the following:

• Allow the vehicle(s) in the intersection or junction to go first
• Allow the vehicle(s) on your left side to go first, and you should also give way to the vehicle(s) in a main road
• In international practice, vehicles in an intersection or a junction should be allowed to go alternately

What is a main road?
It refers to a road designated by authorities and fitted with traffic signs as a main road. Any road with the “Stop” sign at one end is regarded as a secondary road.

When you are about to pass a circle: Follow the traffic lights or traffic signs available. When there are no traffic lights or traffic signs, motorists must allow vehicles in the circle, on their right, to go first.