Thailand's Mae Hong Son Loop by Motorcycle | Elephants, Temples & a Town That Lost Its Monkeys

In April 2025, five friends embarked on a two-week motorcycle journey through Northern Thailand, traversing the legendary Mae Hong Son loop and beyond. Starting in Bangkok during Songkran - Thailand's water festival - we picked up our bikes from BSR Motorcycle Rentals and set out for the mountains.
This wasn't just another motorcycle trip. Along the way, we discovered the heartbreaking story of Lop Buri's vanished monkey population, spent one of the best days of our lives swimming with elephants at a sanctuary, and witnessed the transformation of once-sleepy towns into tourist destinations. From ancient temples in Sukhothai to controlled burns in the mountains, from paradise bungalows in Mae La Noi to impromptu guitar performances in tiny towns - this journey captured both the beauty and complexity of modern Thailand.
Our route took us from Bangkok to Lop Buri, Sukhothai, Lampang, and three nights in Chiang Mai (including visits to a Karen Long Neck village and an unforgettable elephant sanctuary). From there, we climbed into the mountains through Pai, Mae Hong Son, and Mae La Noi, before making our way back to Bangkok via Tak and Thap Tan.
ROUTE HIGHLIGHTS:

Songkran water festival in Bangkok
Lop Buri's missing monkeys - a pandemic tragedy
Sukhothai Historical Park (Thailand's ancient capital)
Karen Long Neck village (Kayan people)
Elephant sanctuary day - bamboo rafting, feeding, waterfall swimming
Chiang Mai's vibrant night markets
The Witch's House coffee stop
Pai's transformation from backpacker paradise to tourist hub
Mae Hong Son's wooden resort
Fish cave with thousands of massive fish
Controlled burns through the mountains
Mae La Noi paradise bungalows (sunset pool with water buffalo)
Kaeo Komon Forest Park cave trek
Thap Tan's small-town hospitality (and 7-Eleven chicken curry!)
700+ kilometers of winding mountain roads

Music by Atom Smith
Filmed and edited by Atom Smith
WATCH OUR OTHER MOTORCYCLE ADVENTURES:
Vietnam (2023):    • Vietnam by Motorcycle 2023  
Malaysia Part 1 (2024):    • Exploring Malaysia by Motorcycle 2024  
Malaysia Part 2 (2024):    • Exploring Malaysia by Motorcycle 2024 PART 2  


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