2022 Year-end 4x4 Trip: Highlands of Thailand

"Never force anything in your life. Just let it be. If it's meant to be, it will be..." 

(With our reliable Bigfoot on the highlands of Phu Chi Fa)

For our 2022 Year-end 4x4 trip we managed to cover some of the highlands of Thailand. 

There are many mountains in Thailand which offer the most stunning and serene picturesque views. The highlands mountain ranges is the part of the hills extending from the Shan Hills bordering Myanmar to Laos, and the river valleys which cut through them. Many mountains in the country are not important because of their height, but because of their symbolic, cultural and religious significance. Among the well-known Thailand highlands we visited were Phu Thap Berk (1,794 m), Phu Chi Fa (1,442 m), Doi Sa-Ngo (709 m), Doi Ang Khang (1,928 m) and Doi Inthanon (2,565 m).

Along the route we managed to visit several mosques and other tourist attractions in Thailand.

Trip Date: 15 December 2022 - 4 January 2023

Day 01: KL - Hatyai
Day 02: Hatyai - Chumphon
Day 03: Chumphon - Bangkok
Day 04: Bangkok
Day 05: Bangkok - Khon Kaen
Day 06: Khon Kaen - Phu Thap Berk
Day 07: Phu Thap Berk - Uttaradit
Day 08: Uttaradit - Phu Chi Fa
Day 09: Phu Chi Fa - Chiang Rai
Day 10: Chiang Rai - Pai
Day 11: Pai
Day 12: Pai - Mae Hong Son
Day 13: Mae Hong Son - Doi Inthanon
Day 14: Doi Inthanon - Mae Sot
Day 15: Mae Sot - Umphang
Day 16: Umphang - Kamphaeng Phet
Day 17: Kamphaeng Phet - Ratchaburi
Day 18: Ratchaburi - Chumphon
Day 19: Chumphon - Krabi
Day 20: Krabi - Hatyai
Day 21: Hatyai - KL

Total Distance: 5,636 km

(The view of the valley from Phu Thap Berk summit)

(Doi Inthanon, the highest point of Thailand)

(Doi Ang Khang highest camp site)

(Stardoi Cafe at Doi Sa-Ngo)

         Day 01: Year-end Trip: KL - Hatyai👉

Day 01: Year-end Trip: KL - Hatyai

“Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.” - Buddha

(First entry after PKP)

Day 01: Thursday, 15 December 2022
Route: Kuala Lumpur to Hat Yai
Distance: 534 km
Hotel: Golden Crown Hotel, Hatyai

Last night we loaded our luggage and food stuff into the bigfoot. This morning by 8.30 am we started driving from our Bidara House for our 2022 Kembara Highlands of Thailand. For this trip, we planned to visit Phu Thap Berk, Phu Chi Fa, Doi Angkhang, Doi Sango and Doi Inthanon. And we will try to visit as many mosques along the route.

We drove on LATAR highway towards north and detoured to have breakfast lontong at Elmina R&R Southbound. We envisaged delays as there were many road works along the highway causing traffic jam at certain stretches.

(Lontong for breakfast)

(Crispy fried bawal for lunch)

We did not stop at Simpang Pulai as we normally do because it was a little crowded. We stopped for comfort break at Bkt Gantang R&R and bought longan at rm20/kg, more pricey than usual. Around 1.30 pm we had lunch at Restoran Ikan Bawal Kelapa Sawit in Juru. The ikan bawal, although smaller in size but still crisply fried. This eatery is always crowded especially during lunch hours.

(A good weather to start the trip)  

By 3.40 pm we stopped for solat jamak at Toll Plaza Hutan Kampung. After refuelling in Changlun we then headed to the Malaysian CIQ Bukit Kayu Hitam. There was quite a big crowd and a long queue at the border because of the school holidays. Border clearance was fast and efficient on both Malaysian and Thailand sides. By 6.30 pm we completed border clearance and paid THB40 for vehicle and passenger fees.

(The passports were untouched for almost two years)

(A long queue at the border)

(Hatyai Walking Street, busy as always)

(Spoilt for choice of food) 

(Nasi Lemak for dinner)

By 7.30 pm we checked in the Grand Crown Hotel in Hatyai. We did not make any prior reservation but luckily there was one room available and only for one night at the rate of B750/night. After we checked in, we went out to buy a local sim card from a nearby phone shop then walked to the night market around Lee Gardens Hotel to look for something to eat. Dinner was nasi lemak at one of the Muslim stalls. Most stalls sell Muslim food and they are reasonably priced. We thronged the night market amidst the crowd who were mostly from Malaysia.

(A popular tourist spot for Malaysians)

(One of the best night markets in Hatyai)

(Colorful souvenirs and handicrafts) 

(The night market is closed on Monday and Tuesday)

After an hour of strong foot massage for B250/hr, we were back in our hotel for a well-rested sleep.

(Our room in Golden Crown Hotel) 

Day 02: Year-end Trip: Hatyai - Chumphon👉

Day 02: Year-end Trip: Hatyai - Chumphon

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you."

(A brief stop at Route 41)

Day 02:Friday, 16 December 2022

Route: Hat Yai to Chumphon

Distance:481 km

Hotel: Nana Buri Hotel, Chumphon

(A Muslim restaurant next door)

By 7.30 am we had our breakfast of nasi dagang and roti canai at Restoran Khaled. Around 8.15 am we checked out and drove towards Route 41 R&R. We had a few photo shots before it began to rain quite heavily. 

(A group of Goldwings heading north)

(Raining cats and dogs in Phatthalung)

We met a group of bikers from Malaysia having their breakfast. They were on a 14-day convoy around Thailand. While waiting for the rain to stop we had a cup of steaming hot coffee and hot chocolate with a plate of vege spring rolls. We bought a pair of Route 41 special edition t-shirts for souvenirs.

(A stopover R&R for travellers)

(One of the tourist attractions)

(A popular pit stop for bikers)

(Friendly staff and good halal food)

Our initial plan was to have lunch at Halal Restoran at Thung Son PTT food court but because we were still full, we bypassed Thung Son. Instead we stopped at Esso Ban Na San for a comfort break and solat jamak takdim at a surau within the vicinity of the petrol station. 

(Spacious parking space)

(A clean surau for travellers)

The surau was spacious and clean, equipped with an ablution area. We met a local from Bangkok and performed the jamak prayers together.

(Surat Thani Air Force Base)

(The staircase leading to the O'Valley Convention/Wedding Hall)

(The O'Valley Boutique Hotel)

We made a brief stop at O'Valley Hotel for some photo shots. By then we were quite hungry so we stopped at a PTT near Surat Thani Airforce Base for halal seafood burger, chicken nuggets and chips for lunch. We also bought 2 packs of Poi San for Ella.

(Roti Krup-Krap at Fareda Restaurant)

(Nana Buri Hotel at night, peaceful and quiet)

There were major roadworks along the route causing traffic congestion before entering Chumphon town. About 6.30 pm we arrived at Chumphon Nana Buri Hotel. The hotel rate was B800/night inclusive of complementary breakfast for two. After we checked in, we walked quite a distance to the newly relocated Restoran Fareda Roti.

Tonight we had crispy roti and banana pancake for dinner.

(Spacious and clean room at Nana Buri Hotel)

             Day 03: Year-end Trip: Chumphon - Bangkok👉

    👈Day 01: Year-end Trip: KL - Hatyai

Day 03: Year-end Trip: Chumphon - Bangkok

"The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot..." - Michael Altshuler

(A boutique resort near Chaam)

Day 03: Saturday, 17 December 2022
Route: Chumphon to Chatuchak
Distance: 471 km
Hotel: Justice Hotel, Chatuchak

We had early breakfast of eggs and toast at the hotel restaurant. By 7.50 am we checked out and drove out of town crossing the railway lines heading north on Phetkasem Road.

(Breakfast for two)

(The familiar Big Yellow Bird)

(Clear traffic towards Prachuap Khiri Khan)

Around 11.00 am we took a short rest at Thap Sakae R&R. There were bus loads of tourists taking a break here too. The rest area is quite large and there is a section allocated for Muslims.

(Thap Sakae R&R) 

(Clean washrooms)

(Showers are also available)

(A muslim prayer room)

(Spacious halal food area)

About 11.30 am we stopped for lunch at Restoran Mariem along the highway at Prachuap Khiri Khan, our usual lunch stop. On our last visit to this restaurant a few years ago, the restaurant was closed after it was hit by a storm and was badly damaged. The restaurant has been newly renovated and expanded. For lunch we had itik masak kari and daging goreng with ulam and sambal belacan. We packed sup daging, ikan kering and rice for dinner.

(Mariem Muslim Food Restaurant)

(Varieties of local dishes)

About 2.00 pm arrived in Chaam and made a u-turn to a PTT for refuelling and solat jamak at the surau. There is a halal Restoran Kedai Makan Abang Mana here. Met with the bikers gang again. Today they will be riding to Kanchanaburi.

(Solat jamak at a surau in Chaam)

(A boutique resort along the main road)

(Cute little chalets)

(One of the halal eateries)

(moai statues at Chaam)

From Chaam we drove direct to Bangkok amidst constructions and roadworks causing the massive traffic jam. We drove to Chatuchak Weekend Market to recce the place. It was already closing time but the area was congested with local and foreign tourists.

(On-going constructions enroute Bangkok)

(Clear traffic so far)

(Watching out for road signages)

(The start of the traffic congestion)

We drove to the nearest hotel in our list, but it was fully booked. We made a few calls to some hotels around Chatuchak but they were all full. We finally managed to book a room at Justice Hotel which is about 3km away. We booked for two nights at B1240/night complete with breakfast for two.

(Our first time staying in Justice Hotel, Bangkok)

(A beautiful modern hotel)

(A cozy hotel at the suburb of Bangkok)

Tonight we had packed dinner of rice, sup daging and sambal kacang ikan bilis in our hotel room while watching the World Cup, Croatia against Morocco. Croatia won 3rd place!

(Spacious room of Justice Hotel)

          Day 04: Year-end Trip - Chatuchak, Bangkok👉

👈Day 02: Year-end Trip: Hatyai - Chumphon