Tea break @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/LpudpVdV7eqmsomv7

The lady owner was so kind she gifted us with belimbing though it was too sour for our liking

Getting ready for roll out at 7.30 am. In photo here is the park by Jongkham Lake.

On Route 108, turning left to Khunlumprapas Rd and leaving Mae Hong Son town

Phraya Singhanatracha Monument @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/aN18Dw73YApERgHU8

Phraya Singhanatracha is a Thai Yai native from Burma who was later installed as governor of Mae Hong Song in 1874 by the King Of Lanna

Pha Bong Hot Spring @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/24AX7dyezUQ6v71fA

This is the source of the Hot Spring which is very hot and not suitable for bathing or soaking your feet. The water is then channeled to other pools for the public to use

There are chalets for rent

Rates at Pha Bong Hot Spring

Riding through Pha Bong village. The road runs parallel to Route 108

There are a few eateries along this village road

Wat Pha Bong Tai @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/ySfPGQqU5ReVAotZ9

Cottage industry - deep fried vegetable crackers @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/cXsTE47q4Z429xHc8

Roasting tiger peanuts

Corn

Not sure what these are !

The dough is placed between 2 thin plastic bags...

...before they are pressed flat...

...these will be sundried before packaging

The dough

Enjoying the best Khao Soi in our entire trip at Pa Pen Restaurant!

Pa Pen Restaurant is located 500m away from the cottage industry @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/vmfY45YLMu1jf4K28

Truly the best Khao Soi

Crossing the Samat River, not far from Pa Pen Restaurant. The Samat River flows into Cha River after this bridge

Smart Grid Mae Hong Son is a solar energy farm that doubles as a learning center. Admission is free.

We continue to see landslides along the way. Sand bags and safety bollards placed as temporary measures are already overgrown with vegetations indicating that road repairs will not be so soon.

By Day 8, we learnt that when a road is painted red, it is very steep! This calls for rest, relax and to take as many photos as you like!

Every climb promises spectacular views. Note the unique triangle hill slopes

Every mountain pass comes with rewards!

Pha Bong Viewpoint @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/FYfEoYgKTgQAeaSs6

Tea break at Garden Cafe @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/W5Jymn6pL8qdeyfS9

We were pleasantly surprised they have cakes for sale

Free belimbing

Lunch at 12.45 om at Ban Huai Pong @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/EqZJDMDB2BuLY8Hx5

The Big Bikes Club and the locals were ahead of us, so we had a long wait for lunch.

View from the restaurant

Nearby, the farmers were loading garlic to the pick up truck

Recently harvested fields of paddy

Bailey bridge as a temporary measure to replace the concrete bridge which was washed away by floods in August 2025 near Wat Huai Pong

Image captured by Google Streetview in May 2024. Note the signboard 317+190

Image captured by The Nation after the flood in August 2025. Note the signboard 319+190

Image captured by The Nation after the flood in August 2025.

Coincidentally, Claudine was in the midst of planning the MHS route when she noticed the detour by Google Maps. Upon assurance from Suwit, she went on to purchase the flight tickets the next day

Japanese Military Spirit Dedication Memorial.

This memorial was erected in 2000 by a group of volunteers from Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture. The road Khun Yuam - Mae Sariang - Hot - San Pa Tong - Chiang Mai became one of the three major routes for the Japanese Army withdrawing from Northern Burma (Myanmar) and Western Yunnan to Chiang Mai towards the end of the WWII. Many died along the way from hunger, cholera and other diseases and many were buried along Route 108.

Shredding in action

Route 108, Khun Yuam 0 km

Thai-Japan Friendship Memorial Hall in Khum Yuam

During WWII, there was little to zero resistance to the Japanese invasion of Thailand. The only recorded resistance happened in South Thailand and the fighting went on for only 5 hours before a ceasefire and an alliance formed between Thailand and Japan.

Khun Yuam was one of the most important bases for the Japanese Army during their Burma campaign. It served as a military supply and communication center besides housing an R&R and hospital.

Before the war, Route 108 was mostly a dirt tracked path especially the section between Mae Hong Son and Khun Yuam but this was later improved by the Japanese Army with local hire. This is different from the forced labour on the Death Railway at Kanchanaburi as it was not feasible to transport the prisoner of war so far north. Thus local Thais were paid to do the job.

"May your friends Rest in Peace" a memorial to the fallen Japanese soldiers.

Early dinner at 5 pm before heading to our accommodation for the night because the location was in the middle of no where! @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/LBSw1zhcNxwtZjXL6

Khun Yuam Resort is located 300m off Route 3007. We were so worried it was going to be another "Pai jungle experience" but thankfully the dirt tracks did deliver us to our stay! It was getting dark at 5.48 pm