09.01.25 – Rasi Salai to Uthai Thani
Rasi Salai to Uthai Thani: A Ride Through the Heart of Thailand.
After last year’s unexpected detour with the Triumph Tiger (read the full story here), we’ve come back this year with a more capable ride—the BMW R1250 GS Adventure. Our destination is Singapore, but we’ve made sure to approach the journey with a new strategy. This time, we’re avoiding the chaotic Bangkok metropolis, its horrendous traffic, and the constant haze of air pollution. Instead, we’ve charted a path that promises better roads, fewer obstacles, and—hopefully—a more enjoyable ride.
The Start: Leaving Rasi Salai at 8 AM
Our adventure began early, at around 8 AM, as we set our sights on heading west from Rasi Salai. The route would take us through Chaiyaphum and on to Nakhon Sawan. This longer, more circuitous route was designed to avoid the mess of Bangkok, and despite the increased distance, it turned out to be an excellent decision. Not only did we avoid the gridlock, but the roads were also largely smooth, and the traffic was a fraction of what we would have faced on the main highways.
While the ride may have taken a bit longer than we initially anticipated, the payoff was clear: almost no traffic, smooth asphalt, and relatively easy cruising. Thailand’s highways have their ups and downs, but today, we got lucky with one of those rare smooth stretches that make motorcycle touring such a joy..
The Landscape: Dry, Brown Rice Fields and Dust
The scenery along the way was a true reflection of the season. With the rainy season over, the lush green that usually dominates the countryside had given way to dry, brown rice fields that stretched out on both sides of the road. The air was dustier than expected, but the landscape still had its own unique beauty, with vast stretches of farmland and the occasional hill in the distance. Though the green rice paddies of the rainy season were now absent, the view was still worth taking in.
Still, the dust in the air made things a little less enjoyable. It’s one of those parts of traveling in rural Thailand that can’t be avoided. But as motorcyclists, we’ve learned to take the good with the bad, and after all, the vast open roads and clear skies made up for the dusty haze.
Nakhon Sawan: A Stop at Bueng Boraphet
Our first major stop was Nakhon Sawan, where we visited the Bueng Boraphet reservoir, one of the largest in Thailand. The reservoir is known for its birdlife and natural beauty, but our experience left us a bit underwhelmed. We made our way to the viewpoint, hoping to catch a beautiful sight of the water and the surrounding landscape, but to be honest, it didn’t live up to expectations.
A common issue in Thailand—especially with government-built sites—is that after the initial construction, maintenance often takes a back seat. The area surrounding the viewpoint was poorly maintained, with trash scattered about and a general feeling of neglect. The view itself was obstructed, and the once-promised beauty of the reservoir seemed faded. Still, we spent a bit of time here, taking in what we could, before heading back to the bike for the next leg of the journey.
The Ride to Uthai Thani
From Nakhon Sawan, we continued on to Uthai Thani, which meant more cruising along main highways. The roads were good, but what really made this stretch memorable was the change in the landscape. As we approached Uthai Thani, the surrounding area began to show signs of life—particularly in the form of lush green rice fields. The fertile land around the city had been well cared for, and the contrast with the dry, dusty rice fields we’d passed earlier was striking.
Uthai Thani is one of my favourite cities in Thailand for a number of reasons. It’s quieter than most Thai cities, offering a peaceful retreat from the noise and bustle of urban life. The old town has a charming, rustic vibe, with small streets, friendly locals, and a strong sense of community. As we arrived in the city, we couldn’t help but notice how clean it was compared to many other places in Thailand.
It’s a refreshing change and one of the things that makes Uthai Thani stand out in my mind.
The TJ Hotel and Residence: A Mixed Experience
We settled in for the night at the TJ Hotel and Residence, a modest hotel that cost us about 1,000 baht per night. The hotel had covered parking for the bike, which was a definite plus. However, while the location was fine, the quality of the bed left much to be desired. In fact, it was one of the worst beds I’ve ever encountered on a trip, and after the long day of riding, it made for a rather uncomfortable night. Still, it was affordable, and sometimes you have to accept the trade-off between cost and comfort.
In the end, the bed didn’t ruin our spirits too much because we had a fantastic dinner at the local night market. Thailand’s night markets are always a highlight of any trip, and this one did not disappoint. Afterward, we took a relaxing walk along the river, something I always look forward to after a long ride. The cool breeze by the water and the peaceful atmosphere helped us unwind and recharge before calling it a night.
A Long Day of Riding
In total, we covered about 590 kilometers in 8 hours. This was longer than we typically ride in a day, but the good roads and smooth riding made it manageable. It’s always a bit of a challenge when you’re on the road for longer than usual, but the excitement of the journey, combined with the new route, kept us motivated.
Tomorrow’s ride will take us to Kanchanaburi, where we’re looking forward to some curvy roads, beautiful views, and maybe even a little off-roading. But for tonight, we’re both exhausted, so it’s an early night to rest up for the next leg of the journey.
Reflections on the Day
All in all, today was a success. We took a different route, avoided the chaos of Bangkok, and had a relatively smooth ride with decent weather and good roads. The dust, the poor maintenance at the reservoir, and the uncomfortable hotel bed were minor setbacks in an otherwise enjoyable day. The most important thing is that we’re moving forward with our goal of reaching Singapore, and today was another step toward that achievement.
As motorcyclists, it’s not just about the destination—it’s about the journey, and today’s ride definitely lived up to that spirit. Here’s to tomorrow’s adventure and more unforgettable moments along the way.
Stay tuned and enjoy yourself!!
#dustysocks
Nice and enjoy more and more because the first is nice already 👍🥰