A traveller's reflection: Day 15: Year-end Trip: Mae Sot

"Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection we can catch excellence... " - Vince Lombardi

(We braved the 'Death Highway' to Umphang)

Day 15: Thursday, 29 December 2022
Route: Mae Sot to Umphang
Distance: 181 km
Hotel: K&K Guesthouse, Umphang

Breakfast was eggs and toast at the hotel restaurant. We checked out early and headed to the Thailand/Myanmar border to buy some provisions for our trip to Umphang.

Mae Sot is a town in western Thailand that shares a border with Myanmar to the west. It is notable as a trade hub and for its substantial population of Burmese migrants and refugees. Mae Sot is 87 km from Tak and 492 km from Bangkokand is the main gateway between Thailand and Burma. Mae Sot is notorious for its trade in gems and teak, as well as black market activities such as human and drugs trafficking.

(Having breakfast at the hotel restaurant)

(Driving to the Thailand/Myanmar border)

(Myanmar products at Rim Moi Market)

(The Western Most Point of Thailand)

We refuelled at Mae Sot PTT and bought some provisions. We drove to the border and had some photo shots at the Western Most Point signage next to the Rim Moei Market near the Thailand/Myanmar border checkpoint. From the checkpoint, the Thailand/Myanmar Friendship bridge crosses the Moei River which separates the two countries.

(Our second trip to remote town of Umphang)

(Beautifully dressed tribal boys and girls)

By 9.00 am we started driving on Highway 1090, notoriously known as the Death Highway. The 1219 curves twisted road is the only accessible road from Mae Sot to the remote town of Umphang. The route follows the Tanon Tongchai mountain range that separates Myanmar from Thailand. It passes through National Parks with many beautiful waterfalls and Wildlife Sanctuaries. There were several police and military checkpoints along the route. We passed through without any hassle except at the Refugee Camp checkpoint, where they checked our passports.

(Twisties and sharp curves of Highway 1090)

(Major roadworks before Phop Phra)

The journey from Mae Sot to Umphang took us more than 4 hours inclusive of a few rest stops. Interspersed small villages with cultivated lands in the valleys offer a pleasant break to the monotonous jungle and mountains sceneries.

(Vegetations cultivation on mountain slopes)

(Good maintenance of the mountain roads)

Overall the road was good except for a stretch of road works before the halfway rest area in Phop Phra. Here we stopped for comfort break and coffee.

(Phop Phra R&R area)

(Coffee and OTOP shops)

(Border Petrol Checkpoint at Umpiem Mai Refugee Camp)

We made another stop to stretch our legs at a small beautiful stream at Mae Klong Noi - Mae Klong Yai watershed. From there we drove non-stop and reached Umphang around 2.00 pm.

(A rest stop at a watershed area)

(Tributaries of the Khwae Yai and Khwae Noi)

(Tranquil and calm forest)

(Soothing sound of the stream)

(We are deep in a jungle in Western Thailand)

(Beautiful panoramic view from the mountain top)

(Another stretch of major roadworks before Umphang)

As there was no halal restaurant in Umphang we had light lunch of french fries and ABC at Kru Sun's House Restaurant. It used to be a small coffee shop the last time we were here. A lot has changed in Umphang since our last visit in 2016. We walked around town and bought Umpang t-shirts and a cap for souvenirs.