![]() ![]() Start in Hua Hin, Thailand’s original beach resort, where one-way car rentals can be arranged through Thai Rent a Car. Southern Thailand’s long, slender profile doesn’t lend itself to looping road trips, but there’s plenty to see by drifting along the coast. Hua Hin to Surat Thaniīest road trip for low-key beaches Hua Hin–Surat Thani 580km (360 miles) one-way, 3-4 days Khao Sok National Park is home to ancient rainforest and the crystal clear Lake Ratchaprapha © iStockphoto / Getty Images 3. On the loop back to Chiang Mai on route 1095, make stops at the Su Tong Pae bamboo bridge, the “Little Switzerland” of Pang Oung and the bustling traveler hub of Pai, where you can kick back for a while, enjoying everything from treks to yoga classes and cooking schools. There’s time for another stop at Khun Yuam to explore wartime history before you roll into Mae Hong Son, one of northern Thailand’s best hubs for monastery-hopping and treks to hill tribe villages. You’ll want to pause for a day or two at Mae Sariang, a relaxing riverside town that’s a great base for hiking and sustainable adventures in the hills. Leaving Chiang Mai on the 108, the first stop is Doi Inthanon National Park, a lush, green mountaintop that is one of the few places in Thailand to see temperatures dip below freezing. ![]() ![]() On the way, you can swing into some of the most interesting townships in northwest Thailand. This twisting loop is famous for having 1864 curves and the Chamber of Commerce in Mae Hong Son issues souvenir certificates for drivers who complete the circuit. Mae Hong Son Loopīest road trip for traveler vibes Chiang Mai–Chiang Mai 604km (375 miles), four daysĪ more ambitious road trip from Chiang Mai meanders through the green hills to the southwest, following Route 108 and Route 1095 through the lively traveler town of Mae Hong Son. The distinctive twin pagodas atop Doi Inthanon near Chiang Mai © iStockphoto / Getty Images 2. Grab a portable breakfast at the Talat Thanin food market before you set off. Planning tip: Get an early start to make the most of this day-long road trip. The loop back to Chiang Mai on the 1269 passes Samoeng village and a series of spectacular viewpoints where you can pause for photos, before swinging back into the Northern Thai capital. From here, you enter a part of the country that was once used to grow opium poppies before hill tribe farmers were persuaded to switch to fruit and flowers by the Thai royal family.Įxperience village life with a detour north to the Hmong community of Nong Hoi, where local restaurants at Mon Cham serve tasty village food and Thai fruit liqueurs in pavilions overlooking the valley. After leaving Chiang Mai, the crowds drop away as you get closer to Nam Tok Mae Sa, a natural swimming pool that makes a lovely picnic spot.Ĭontinue to the Queen Sikrit Botanical Gardens, a collection of plantations, walking trails and greenhouses with a family-friendly natural history museum. Mae Sa Valleyīest road trip for first timers Chiang Mai–Chiang Mai 80km (50 miles), allow one dayĪ great taster trip to get you used to driving or riding in Thailand, this circuit through the forested mountains north of Chiang Mai will introduce you to village life and the jade-green rainforest landscapes of northern Thailand. For inspiration, here are our favorite road trips in Thailand. ![]() The further you go off the tourist trail, the quieter the roads and the more there is to discover in the towns and villages you pass through on the way. The smart way to road trip in Thailand is to start outside Bangkok, renting a vehicle in one of Thailand’s smaller towns. Get trusted guidance to the world's most breathtaking experiences delivered to your inbox weekly with our email newsletter. ![]()
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