Cycling the Roads of Thailand

January 23, 2025 – Khon Kaen to Mueang Phon – 77 kms – Manfah Resort Mueang Phon

January 24, 2025 – Mueang Phon to Phimai – 78 kms – Phimai Paradise Hotel

January 25, 2025 – Phimai to Nang Rong – 89 kms – Rabbit Island Hotel

January 26, 2025 – Nang Rong to near Non Din Daeng on Highway 348 – 54 kms – Teepak Suanmon Guesthouse 

As we spend our days on the roads in Thailand there is a certain visual and auditory rhythm that has become familiar. It varies depending upon whether we are on a small road or a larger highway, but for the last two months it has been home.

We generally look for routes on smaller roads, preferring rice fields and bird song to the woosh of cars and trucks.  The early mornings are magic!  The  variety of birds in Thailand has been such a delight.  Today’s favourite is the crow-sized Indo-Chinese Roller, with its dazzling bands of dark and light blue. 

The downside of small roads, particularly when crossing through small villages, are a few aggressive dog encounters. Anyone considering a cycling trip in Thailand should not be overly concerned about dogs. It’s generally better than Western Europe. Ninety percent of the dogs we have met in Thailand are mellow and uninterested or scared of us. For the remaining ten percent we carry a stick on our handle bars. Usually just showing the stick is enough, but the ones that bark and chase us get the Ruth roar, which usually stops them in their tracks. These moments have not softened Gord’s stance on dogs. He has increasingly been heard muttering, “I’m going to rip out your intestines and strangle you with them”, or, speaking directly to puppies, saying, “You look tasty.  Ever thought of traveling to Vietnam?”  He’s a cat guy. 

We have spent a few days on the big highways, which have their pleasures and annoyances.  With their wide shoulders and slower vehicle speeds they generally feel much safer that Canadian highways.  Our highlights on these roads are the beautiful gardens dripping with orchids and ponds full of koi. These little oases are called “gas stations”.  The PTT chain boasts the best amenities, with air conditioned coffee houses, restaurants, 7-11 stores and beautiful washrooms. The last two days have been hot, so we have been stopping at them frequently.  With temperatures of up to 35 degrees we soak our t-shirts at each station, giving us six or seven kilometres of cool joy. 

We are back within striking distance of Bangkok, along a line of mountain national parks that ends with Khao Yai.  We plan to poke along these slowly for our last days in Thailand.