Doi Ang Khang Loop

This 350 kilometre loop includes the 1815 metre Doi Ang Khang Pass through the Daen Lao Range.

Caves, springs, Sri Sangwan waterfall (warning: it is in the Pha Daeng National Park), Myanmar border, numerous viewpoints, excellent mountain roads. Route 1249 is a steep, zigzagging paved road with a maximum gradient of 19% for approximately 400 metres on the Nor Lae-Fang back road.

The region is known as Thailand’s ‘Little Switzerland’ because of its cool climate and mountain scenery.

Start/Finish: Chiang Mai
En Route Focal Points: Nor Lae, Fang
Distance: 350 kilometres

This is the best guide to riding the Ang Khang Loop. The weird and lengthy captions to the photographs on this site are something else though!

Mae Hong Son Loop

Probably the most famous motorcycle ride in Thailand, it is also known as the Chiang Mai Loop (Routes 108 and 1095).

There are dozens of ‘how to’ guides online.

Start/Finish Chiang Mai.
En Route Focal Points: Mai Sariang, Mae Hong Son, Pai
Distance 604 kilometres
Offshoots Route 1265
Curves (claimed) 1864

Number Shaped Road Curves

There are four locations in Thailand where the road engineering has described a numeral when viewed from the right position. Not unexpectedly these curves are located on Iconic Roads. It would seem that the Highways Department is not averse to the creation of more.

Route 107

 

Route 1081 (Floating Highway)

The road is also referred to as the ‘Road Above the Clouds’ and is often acclaimed as one of Thailand’s most beautiful roads.

Route 1095

Part of the Mae Hong Song Loop. Often called “the road to Pai”.

Route 1148 (Sky Road)

Route 1148 is well-paved, winding mountain road that links the northern provinces of Nan and Phayao. Some claim it to be the ultimate motorcycle ride in the country, however, there are other claimants. Route 1148 is a great drive – 78 kilometres of mountainous scenery, interesting twists and turns, and some great viewpoints.

Paradise for bikers – although this is not Paradise Highway (Route 1290). Route 1148, known as Sky Road, is definitely one of Thailand’s Iconic Roads.

Route 1266

Route 1266 connects Mae La Noi District (north of Mae Sariang on Highway 108) eastward to Ban Huai Hom and Karen hill tribe communities. It is a winding mountain road with stunning views of expansive ranges, rice fields, and valleys.

Route 1266 starts about 29 kilometres north of Mae Sariang at the Highway 108 intersection in Ban Mae La Noi and offers demanding drives with steep, tight curves.

A ride/drive along Route 1266 dead ends past Ban Huai Hom and requires a return to Ban Mae La Noi.

Route 1290 (Paradise Road)

 

Route 4001

Pang Mu to Ban Rak Thai – 34 kilometres

Route 4001 gives access to Ban Rak Thai, a ‘Chinese’ village on the Thai/Myanmar border that was established in 1949 when a cohort of Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalists) fleeing the Mao Zedong’s communists left China through Laos and Burma to find refuge in northern Thailand. The town got its current name in 1984 – meaning ‘Love Thailand’.

After taking a few photographs there is little to do in Ban Rak Thai other than watch other people also wondering, “why am I here?” and maybe have some Thai food in the Chinese restaurant. It is a low grade tourist destination – despite what the effusive, pay-for-praise social media scribes may write – although the Route 4001 access road is a great drive. These ‘influencers’ admit that there is nothing to do in Ban Rak Thai and then attempt to make a virtue out of being bored. Depending on your disposition you may feel an affinity with the Chinese decorations, tea plantations and the chintzy condos around the man made lake.

Despite the paucity of reasons for tourists to visit Ban Rak Thai the great drive/ride in and out on Route 4001 is not one of them. Route 4001 to Ban Rak Thai is narrow, winding, steep, beautiful, and requires all your attention. It is a very worthwhile experience.

Route 4001 departs Route 108 to the west, five kilometres north of where Route 128 and Route 108 meet in Mae Hong Song. Route 4001 continues 34 kilometres to Ban Rak Thai. Pha Suea Waterfall is about halfway along the Route.

An alternative start point into Ban Rak Thai is to continue 15 kilometres north from the reunification of Route 128 and Route 108 and turn left a few metres before Thai Elephant Coffee and Souvenir Shop (selling Route Number stickers) on Route 108. Though this option traverses six fewer kilometres of Route 4001, it is still an incredible ride/drive.

Samoeng Loop

The Samoeng Loop starts and ends in Chiang Mai. It is about 100 kilometre long and goes through the town of Mae Rim, Mae Sa Valley and Samoeng town. It is an interesting Day Trip.

Thailand’s Four Principal Roads

The four  principal roads of Thailand  are indicated by a single digit. Each of these four roads connects the primate city of  Bangkok to one of  four outlying regions. By world standards they are very long, singularly-named roads.

Northern Thailand
Highway 1 (Phahonyothin Road)
Bangkok – Chiang Rai and continuing to Tachilek, Myanmar. Part of AH1/AH2.

North-Eastern Thailand
Highway 2 (Mittraphap Road)
Saraburi–Nong Khai as  AH12.

Central, Western and Eastern Thailand
Highway 3 (Sukhumvit Road)
Bangkok–Trat as  AH123.

Southern Thailand
Highway 4: (Phet Kasem Road)
Bangkok–Sadao via Hat Yai.

Thailand’s Road Numbering System

Highway Huts

No doubt you will see many of Thailand’s distinctive Highway Huts on your travels along the Iconic Roads listed here. There are more than 30,000 of these uniquely Thai structures nationwide.

 

 

© Kim Epton 2007-2026
845 words, two photographs.

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