Thailand

May 2026

Why Thailand ?

It was a unexpected 'add on' to our trip. Thanks again to Lynda and Tel for suggesting Thailand via Laos!

The Journey

Chong Mek Border Control - we queued for about 25 minutes to show our Digital Arrival Form/QR code and passports (which we completed online the day before. 60 day visa)

Finger prints and photos taken. And then we pushed the bikes down the switched off 'travelator' and ramp - Into Thailand!

Below :- Our Route.

Grey dot = Chong Mek (border with Laos) A = Det Udom District B = Baan Sangkha C = Ban Kruat D = Baan Noi Rim Khlong Farmstay E = Bang Saray F = Pattaya City G = Chon Buri District Blue dot = Bangkok

Having spent much of the last month thinking we were in Colombia (Cambodia!)🤣...

In Chong Mek we were greeted with a tropical storm! Luckily our first stopover in Thailand was only 500m from the border! ☔

Chong Mek the next morning and hundreds of monks arriving. Just as we were leaving. An impressive sight.

Smooth silky tarmac as we headed towards Det Udom District.

Should we visit a Temple or Snowman 'Milk Tea' shop?! OK, let's do both!!

Tanked up on Milk Tea we hit more smooth fast miles en route to Baan Sangkha. Highway 24, dual carriageway all the way.

Below:- these are the types of trucks we encountered on some of the highways during our journey. We found the drivers to be very considerate towards us.

Below :- a stopover in Baan Sangkha. These types of bungalow accommodation seem very common on this route. Safe, reasonably priced and quite comfortable.

Below:- National Road 348 - where we came across our first 'Elephant Crossing' warning signs.

We would encounter these signs over the next few days as we passed by and through National Park areas. Cycling through Watthana Nakhon, Wang Mai, Ban Nong Khok (National Road 3076)

Below:- Whilst on the theme of elephants/animals etc. A quick mention about the dog issue in Thailand! We encountered so many dogs that would chase us, being very aggressive etc. That whilst outside a cafe in Watthana Nakhon we 'bodged' together a couple of 'dog biscuit' carriers (stones!!) To throw at any particularly nasty dogs!

Above and below :- rubber tree plantations and a river canoe paddle to a 7 Eleven! That was a first!! (Noi Rim Khlong Farmstay)

The 25 ish miles we cycled from Noi Rim Khlong Farmstay to Ban Nong Khok on the 3076 was magnificent.

A carpet of silky tarmac through lush dense jungle!

Below:- NR3076 and who's that pretending to be 'Nellie the Elephant!!

The 3076 is a rolling road, a few steady climbs with nice descents mixed in with some easy flat sections. Mostly on a super smooth surface.

Above and below :- A stunning Temple as we approached 'That Thong' on NR4084.

Bang Saray was our next destination. And reaching the coast was going to be celebrated with a beer! We left That Thong behind and picked up NR3401. (above) Scenic, smooth and rolling through some small villages (below) and temples.

Below :- then it was onto the HW331. 3 lanes with a hard shoulder. Fast but busy, especially at intersections! Luckily after a few miles we were able to take the 2081 which was single carriageway, much quieter and finally linked us onto HW3. And from there into Bang Saray.

Below:- 'Storm Cloud Cycling' we were being chased by the dark clouds as we approached Bang Saray. Wet season is coming!

Above:- Bang Saray Night Market and Molly is in 'foodie heaven'!

Below:- Bang Saray Beach - beautiful, unspoiled, peaceful. Perfect for a 'Tree Pose'! A swim, oh and not forgetting a very tasty mango and yogurt smoothie 😍

Below:- leaving Bang Saray and heading into Pattaya City on National Road 3.

We took a few 'rest' days in Pattaya and had the bikes serviced at a wonderful local bike shop.

Pattaya Bicycle Sale and Service. (above) Owner is Pui. Takes great care and knows his stuff. Speaks good English too. A very competent bike mechanic. Nice guy too 🚲🚲👌

From Pattaya we started our incredible pedal towards BANGKOK. First destination was Bang Pakong.

Thanks to Apple Cycle maps (iPhones do have some uses!!) for treating us to one of our most diverse routes yet in Thailand! From busy Highway through backstreet roadworks, gravel, tiny lanes and more backstreets!

We met a very 'inquisitive' lizard along the way too!

Above and Below :- a 1 night stopover alongside Bang Pakong River. Turned out to be a great place to see 'Asian Water Monitors' and local bird life including beautiful Kingfishers. Plus early morning fishing boats.

Below:- en route to the BIG City of BANGKOK and Molly wants to know "why are you still following me"!!??

Apple Cycle Maps does it again! From Bang Pakong into the city. 33 very scenic miles! 🚲❤️

You would never know that we are in the outskirts of Bangkok City.

Even the 'frontage' roads. Below (that run alongside the Toll road Highway) are a delight 👍

Below :- a well earned 'smoothie' - (Molly's choice - Avocado!!!) after cycling to our first stopover in Bangkok.

Time Out in Thailand - so far we have been extremely lucky with good weather, great roads and pretty flat too! Very enjoyable cycling indeed! Plus the added bonus of a Leo Beer! 🍻

In Bangkok, whilst taking 'time out' - we sourced bike boxes from BIKESURE Cycle Shop (found them on Google maps and true to the reviews they keep bike boxes for sale for flights) - winner! 300 Baht per box.

Booked the flight to UK online via 'EVA AIR' check them out, some great prices.

Then decided we had about a week to play with - So we set off on the pedals for Ayutthaya City

Grey dot = Pimthong Place. Red dot = Wat Mahathat (Ayutthaya) - this is a Google maps outline. Just to show the general direction we cycled through Bangkok.

Leaving Pimthong Place in Lat Krabang (Bangkok - Close to BKK airport) and Julia our host behind.....

We Set off early to cycle across Bangkok to a stopover in Pakkret - we again used Apple Cycle maps and it didn't disappoint!

We've learnt the hard way to keep city distances 'short' ish. So 36 miles through Bangkok would be enough for us in one day on the pedals.

The route was on some very busy sections and the weather decided to give us a proper shower too!

Apple Cycle maps.... Taking us on another 'Magical Mystery Tour' 🚲😊🚲😊

The sun did return later in the day which added another bonus to another fantastic and diverse route to reach Pakkret. Even guiding us to a lift which took us over some of the busy intersections.

After 36 miles and 5 plus hours cycling in a busy city, it's great to find a peaceful hotel, get some rest and then get up 'super early' ready for another day on the pedals....

Apple Cycle maps really surpassed itself today. The route to from Pakkret to Ayutthaya was even more impressive, quiet roads, small communities, rice fields, birds.."Oh what a beautiful day"! 😍 Oh and 'sunshine' too! 🌞🌞

Even treating us to a short ferry ride and a couple of marvellous Temples en route (where a coffee break just had to happen!)

A few rest days in Ayutthaya included some walking to visit the amazing Ancient Wat Mahathat Buddhist Temple. Built in 1374 (so even older than Charlie!) - with its Buddha Head in the growing roots of an ancient Bodhi tree!

Highly recommended for a visit if ever you are in Bangkok or nearby 👍☀️👍 80 Baht entry fee (approx £2 each)

Ayutthaya the city of Temples and 'Prangs' galore (if you want to know what a Prang is in Thailand - take a ride there or ask Google!)

After 4 days walking, swimming and getting completely 'Templed Out'! We headed back to Bangkok.

Apple Cycle maps gave us a different and wonderful route back to Pakkret. And so we completed a 'loop' 😊

Taking us alongside and over railway lines, crossing multiple small bridges and showing us even more sensational Thai countryside!

So much beauty in Thailand, birds and flowers just enhance the whole experience ❤️

Above and Below - these bridges are little narrow. Making this loop adventure even more fun!

Below :- see if you can spot the man sitting in the tree.....whilst Fishing!!

Below :- heading back into the busy city of Pakkret.

Below:- Sunset in Pakkret - stunning (like something out of a movie!) 👌

Think you have a 'loaded' bike! And then a 'ice sack' delivery guy pulls up alongside with 3 sacks of ice loaded onto his scooter!

The amazing river pathways linking small communities in Bangkok. Used by pedestrians, scooters, delivery riders and 2 touring cyclists!

Just make sure you keep your balance!

Above and Below:- the small riverside town of Huatakhe. Stunning and a must see if you ever visit this area of Bangkok.

All boxed up and loaded - The bikes! Not Molly!

Julia our host at Pimthong Place in Lat Krabang even has a truck that can carry us, our bikes and luggage to BKK Airport - 5km away. Wonderful 😊❤️😊