Mae Sot - Mae Moei

Our route today is in Tak Province, along the country's western border. The starting point is Mae Sot, 80 kilometres or so west of Tak town. Once you're there, the Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge and Rim Moei Market are not difficult to find.

To get to Mae U-su Cave, drive to the intersection in front of Mae Sot municipality office and take Highway 105 to Ban Mae Kued Sam Tha, 12.5 kilometres further north. There, you'll see a side road to Mae Kasa Hotspring.

After visiting the hotspring, come back to Highway 105 and continue. Nineteen kilometres up the road, soon after you've passed Mae Ramat, there's a big intersection. Turn right onto Highway 1175, drive on for almost 16 kilometres and you'll find Khun Phra Wor National Park.

Once you're done with the park, return to Highway 105 and continue northward. The refugee camp at Ban Mae La is 20.5 kilometres from Mae Ramat intersection. Forty-five kilometres north of Ban Mae La is the town of Tha Song Yang. And about 11.5 kilometres from Tha Song Yang, you'll find the 1.8-kilometre road to Mae U-su Cave.

From the cave, take Highway 105 further north. Around 19 kilometres up the road, you'll arrive at Ban Mae Salit Luang. Here, veer off onto Highway 1267 which winds up the hills to the headquarters and attractions of Mae Moei National Park.

Next week, we'll continue along the border to Mae La Noi in Mae Hong Son Province and then take a shortcut to Doi Inthanon.
Bangkok Post March 06 www.bangkokpost.com