Thailand 2025 – Journey Through the Northern Loop...

“Some journeys are not measured by distance, but by the quiet moments that stay with us long after we’ve returned home.”

(Immigration and Custom clearance at the ICQS)

It had been months since our last long road journey, and the idea of driving all the way from Kuala Lumpur into the heart of Thailand filled us with both excitement and quiet anticipation. We planned it carefully - a slow, deliberate loop through the country, taking our time to discover places both familiar and new.

Our route would take us north through Hatyai, Chumphon, and Bangkok before venturing further into the highlands. We had trodden this path umpteen times. Each stop, we hoped, would bring a fresh glimpse of Thailand’s diverse landscape and the everyday warmth of its people.

Eighteen days, nearly 5,500 km - this northern loop through Thailand would be more than just a leisure drive. It is a reminder of how vast and varied the world can be, and how every road travelled with gratitude becomes part of who we are.

Our Thailand Road Trip itinerary:
(19 November – 6 December 2025)

Part I – From Kuala Lumpur to Northern Thailand
Kuala Lumpur → Hatyai → Chumphon → Bangkok

Part II – Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the Northern Hills
Bangkok → Phitsanulok → Chiang Mai → Pai → Mae Sariang → Mae Sot → Tak

Part III – The Return South: Tak to Kuala Lumpur
Tak → Suphan Buri → Chumphon → Hatyai → Kuala Lumpur

01 JJCM: Hat Yai - Soaked to the skin...

“The simplest pleasures - good food, a quiet ambiance, the friendly people - set the tone for the whole trip...”

(Spicy tomyam glass noodles)

Part I – From Kuala Lumpur to Northern Thailand

Day 01: 19 November 2025 (Wednesday)
Route: KL – Hat Yai
Hotel: Hat Yai Golden Crown Hotel

We began our journey on the morning of 19 November 2025, leaving our Bidara house just after sunrise. Our Toyota Hi-Lux pickup was packed neatly, and our GPS marked the first destination: Hat Yai. Although my sore throat is far from recovering, still there was excitement in the air - a sense of freedom that only an open road can offer.

Before 10.00 am we stopped at Petronas Simpang Pulai for comfort break. It was raining on and off along the PLUS highway to Changlun where we had our lunch at Cendol Pulut Hj Johari Restoran - rice with tasty gulai itik, kerisi sambal and sweet cendol and ABC, generous with toppings.

After jamak prayers at the old Masjid Ihya Ulumuddin Changlun, refuelling at Petronas and changing some bahts at the CTC, we headed straight to the Bukit Kayu Hitam ICQS. Crossing the Malaysia/Thailand border was smooth with no hassle - a pleasant mixture of relief.

Once in Thailand, the landscape changed subtly - road signs shifted into Thai script. We topped up our sim cards at Danok where small roadside stalls offered aroma of sweet tea and crispy fried chicken.

By late afternoon, we reached Hat Yai and checked into our favorite hotel in Hat Yai, the Golden Crown Hotel at Thb770/night, conveniently located with ample on-site parking.

That evening, we walked through the rain toward the Lee Garden night market. The aromas of street food drifted in the air, and the vibrant colours of the souvenirs glowed softly under the dim, neon lights - inviting, even in the downpour. Yet the non-stop rain and the absence of the usual chatter of tourists seemed to dampen not only the market, but also the spirits of the vendors who waited patiently for customers who never quite came.

Escaping the heavy downpour, we slipped into Sawasdee, our favorite massage outlet and treated ourselves to an hour of gentle, relaxing body massage - a warm respite from the cold rain outside. Later, we went to a nearby halal Hamid Restaurant and enjoyed a hot, spicy dinner.

Soaking wet to the skin, we finally made our way back to the hotel, grateful for the comfort of dry clothes and a long, uninterrupted night’s sleep.

02 JJCM: Chumphon - Raining Cats and Dogs...

“Sometimes the beauty of a journey lies not in reaching faraway places, but in rediscovering stillness amid the hustle bustle....”

(A screen shot of the alert)

Day 02: 20 November 2025 (Thursday)
Route: Hat Yai - Chumphon
Hotel: Chumphon Euro Boutique Hotel

The following morning, we set off early. After a hearty breakfast at Khaled’s, we continued our drive northward toward Chumphon, watching the landscape soften from city blocks to stretches of rubber trees and quiet small towns. Surprisingly, there were fewer cars on the road despite the rain that was pouring down in sheets.

As we approached Thung Son, traffic began to build. Floodwater had pooled across several stretches of the road, forcing everyone to drive with extra caution. Emergency alerts of flash floods kept appearing on our phones, confirming what we were seeing - the low-lying areas were rapidly being inundated. A few houses were already submerged in several feet of water, and stalled cars sat abandoned by the roadside.

(The start of the long crawl)

(The flood water is rising fast)

(Braving the knee-deep water)

We inched through the crawl for nearly an hour, but thankfully our 4-wheel drive managed to push through the flooded section without trouble. After that tense stretch, we made a comfort stop and treated ourselves to steaming hot cups of coffee, each sip helping to calm our nerves. We pressed on, eager to outrun the rain and the rising water.

What a relief it was to arrive in Chumphon under unexpectedly clear skies, with no trace of the storm we had just escaped.

For the night, we checked into the Euro Boutique Hotel - a comfortable and reasonably priced stay at THB 750 per night. Its central location was perfect, with the night market, shopping malls, and the Nurul Anah Mosque all within easy reach. Just across the street was Farida Cha Roti Halal Restaurant, where we enjoyed a simple yet satisfying dinner - murtabak with beef curry and crispy krup krap roti, washed down with hot honey-lemon tea and milk coffee to warm our bodies after the long, wet day.