“Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect...” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
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| (Cool misty morning in Luang Namtha) |
Day 15: Sunday, 11 Dec 2016
Route: Luang Namtha - Golden Triangle - Mae Sai
Distance: 271 km
Hotel: Yunnan Hotel
We started riding on Highway 3 in the mist towards the border by 9.00 am and reached the Laos/Thailand border around noon. Afzal and wife, another biking couple who stayed in the resort were crossing the border at the same time.
The border clearance was smooth. At the Laos Huey Xai border we had our passports stamped and paid Baht200/vehicle and Baht100 for Custom clearance. Then we were escorted on the 4th Friendship Bridge to the Thailand border. At the Thailand Chiang Kong border we paid Baht200/vehicle before passport stamping.
The border clearance was smooth. At the Laos Huey Xai border we had our passports stamped and paid Baht200/vehicle and Baht100 for Custom clearance. Then we were escorted on the 4th Friendship Bridge to the Thailand border. At the Thailand Chiang Kong border we paid Baht200/vehicle before passport stamping.
We submitted TM 2, 3 and 4 forms, a photocopy of our passports and vehicle grant. At the Custom counter we submitted a photocopy of the passport of vehicle owner, vehicle grant and Insurance and in return received the custom declaration form. All fees paid were without official receipts.
In Chiang Kong we went to the Muslim stall but it was not there anymore. We rode on and detoured to visit the Golden Triangle. There is a major roadworks on Route 1290 along the hilly road so everyone rode cautiously. We had some photo shots at the Golden Triangle and bought t-shirts for souvenirs. By 5:30 pm we reached Mae Sai and checked in Yunnan Hotel for Baht580/night.
At night we rode to the Thailand/Myanmar border and had dinner at one of the Muslim stalls at the night market. Later we visited the Northernmost Point for some pictures.
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| (Ready to start the journey to Laos/Thailand border) |
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| (Last refueling in Laos) |
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| (Riding in the mist with little visibility) |
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| (The mist is clearing up) |
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| (Passing many small hill villages) |
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| (Back-packers waiting for transport) |
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| (Beware of undulating road surface) |
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| (Riding on the Friendship Bridge escorted) |
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| (Passing through the town of Chiang Khong) |
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| (The road from Chiang Khong is under major repair) |
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| (Arriving at the Big Buddha in the Golden Triangle) |
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| (Coffee and biscuits to fill empty tummies) |
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| (The borders of three nations) |
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| (Two rivers separating the three borders) |
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| (The new Golden Triangle structure) |
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| (The old Golden Triangle archway) |
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| (The northernmost point of Thailand in Mae Sai) |
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