SCOUTING THE ROADS LESS TRAVELED ALONG THE MYANMAR BORDER

Daniel Senicar | June 2020

Finally, Thailand is opening up, at least for domestic traveling. I had been sitting at home planning and dreaming of the next motorcycle ride long enough.

The idea was to scout “hidden gems” along the Thai – Myanmar border. Not that long ago this area was inaccessible for two reasons – lack of roads and opium growing, meaning is was an outright dangerous place to visit.

Once I started riding, I found that the scenery was stunning, nature was green and beautiful, there was very little traffic or people, and opium fields have been replaced with fruit orchards, tea and coffee plantations.

There are some villages, each occupied by different hill tribes. Also plenty of Yunnan Chinese settlements after the civil war in China. Roads are in good shape, there are plenty of single track concrete roads snaking its way through mountains, jungle, villages, and plantations. Locals are noticing us when we pass with our R1200GS motorcycles. Everyone is giving us a warm smile and shy wave with the hand.

I love this kind of riding, when every curve is a new experience. The question in my head, will this great road condition last, or will the road end in the middle of nowhere? The amazing thing is that the roads always continue into other roads, even if gravel, still passable and enjoyable.

After returning back home to Chiang Mai full of inspiration, we have plenty of new itinerary ideas, and new lunch and coffee
shops to share with our BTA friends once possible to return to Thailand and ride with us!