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Capital: Bangkok Currency: Baht Population: 65 million Food: Spicy and fresh. Fantastic! Drink: Ice coffee, fruit shakes |
Thailand is a very popular cycling destination and for many good reasons: food and lodging are plentiful and cheap, the roads are in excellent condition, there aren’t many hills and if Buddhism is your thing there’s a temple to visit around every corner. The capital, Bangkok, is connected to the world by frequent and high quality transport links and it’s generally no problem to throw your bike on a bus or train to cover some stretches.
It’s not entirely a cycling paradise, however. The heat and humidity can be tough for some people to handle. You’d be smart to do as the Thais do and nap in the shade during the hot midday hours and you’re likely to end most days dripping in sweat. With so many tourists of all kinds in Thailand, it can sometimes be difficult to escape the backpacker ghettos and get off the beaten track. Options for camping are similarly hard to find and not always cheaper than getting a hotel room so if you crave cycling through wilderness than much of Thailand won’t be for you.
Most first-time cycle tourists spend a few days acclimatising in Bangkok and then head out to hit key sights. These could include the northern city of Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi - famous as the home of the Bridge over the River Kwai - and Ayutthya, the ancient capital of Thailand. The border area with Myanmar is fascinating, little touristed and in the town of Mae Sot you can see an amazing mix of cultures coming together.
There are many national parks to see like Khao Yai with waterfalls and wildlife, although entry fees are hefty for foreign visitors. A better option may be to base yourself outside the park and take a tour with a company like Greenleaf. The south of Thailand is known for heavily built up resorts like Phuket but you can also find out-of-the-way fishing villages. If you really want to avoid the crowds, try cycling the north-east province of Isan, the least visited in all of Thailand, or along the border with Myanmar.
Here are practical notes for routes we’ve cycled in Thailand:
Route 1 - Chiang Khong (Thai-Lao border) to Chiang Mai
Route 2 - Chiang Mai to Mae Sot
Route 3 - Mae Sot to Kanchanaburi
Here’s more information to help you plan your cycling trip in Thailand:
