Singapore to Betong Thailand - Solo Motorcycle Trip 2024

Finally back!

My turn to publish🤪🤬🫠 after this site is taken over by @kohgerald9 for so long! (@kohgerald9 my emoji nice?)

To continue on the tradition of well documented solo motorcycle road trips, I decided to embark on another endeavor in the spirit of motorcycling.

Got a Honda Forza 350 🛵 in SG this time (after riding it in the northern Thailand trip two years back), found I like it a lot. So, since it’s the National day long weekend, so what else I can do to celebrate the birthday of my beloved nation of Singapore then to ride to Thailand through a different border? 🫨🫨

The plan is to go through Betong and explore the surroundings, before coming back home.

Day 1: Singapore to Betong

Below is the Relive recorded on Day 1 of this trip: Singapore to Betong (note: Something is wrong with the Relive recording, there’s no way the Honda Forza 350 can reach 175km/h GPS speed)

As usual, to save time I’ll skip Malaysia to reach Thailand, Betong in a single day. I also realized it much nearer then having to reach Hat Yai through Sadao. (it’s like 700+ kms instead of 800+ kms).

Although it seems shorter this time, there’s a noticeable difference as I’ll be riding on a slower bike (140 kms tops) as compared to the CB400X used last time. As they say, it’s the man, not the machine that matters.

Left home at around 7am plus, uneventful ride on the NSH as always. The only excitement is this time is I’m exiting around Ipoh and taking the trunk road up to Betong. Found a shop before the border to process the custom papers.

Reached the border around 4.30pm.

For Malaysia, clearing the customs is straightforward with no jams. Upon reaching the Thai side, it’s like the olden days at Sadao, queuing by the side of the road.

After clearing the Customs, with the customs building in the background.

If I remember correctly, it took me slightly more than an hour to clear the Thai Customs. After passing the customs, it was a relative short distance before I reached Betong town.

Betong clock tower! You can see the tunnels in the far back.

After checking into the hotel, went for a quick walk. The town was relatively small, with many tourists from Malaysia. Seems they like to ride their big bikes across town without helmets! haha..

Walked to the famous Betong tunnel to explore abit. Found a nice restaurant beside the tunnel and got my dinner/drink there before retiring for the night.

Betong tunnel, there’s a night market inside!

Day 2: Betong to Pattani / Hatyai

Relieve ride of day 2:

Day 2: The plan is to explore southern Thailand like going through Yala, Pattani before ending the ride in Hat Yai.

Before leaving Betong, of course is to visit the sticker shop/ 打卡点 for some pictures.

Waited long enough but the lady doesnt wanna leave

Also rode to the Betong tunnel for quick picture before leaving the town. Realised that the Betong City Museum in the backgound kinda looked like one of the Tibetan temples I’ve visited.

Leaving Betong, I headed towards the Bangkok Post – Piyamit Tunnels .

Found this place on google, apparently, it’s sort of a maze of tunnels dug by the previous communists that escaped from Malaysia. Paid the entrance fee and went for a hike (in my biking gear). Anyway, it’s really interesting hike to visit the old tunnels and learn about the history of what actually happened in the olden days.

Some random pictures during the hike.

After the quick hike, left the tunnels to continue on my way. Along the route found this nice spot for a quick picture.

Went to this place called “The sea of mist @ Aiyerweng”

The idea is you have to reach here early in the morning to catch the sea of mist on the really tall man-made viewing tower with glass floors. But I guess reaching here in bright sunny afternoon is not so bad, can see all the mountain views clearly.

The route 410 towards Pattani was right along the river, with many curves and nice views.

Got some lunch at 7-Eleven and the great ice coffee;

Reached Ta Chee cape after lunch;

So, it’s an interesting road when riding towards the end, as on both sides of the road are the sea. Views are nice, rested here awhile for some pictures.

After Ta Chee Cape, rode to Hat Yai for the night. Visited ASEAN night market for some shopping before heading to Lee Garden for dinner.

Got my dessert at Post Laser Disc as usual and called it a day.

Day 3: Hat Yai

Day 3 is spent running around Hat Yai as usually I only stopped over for the night, thus thought can explore abit.

I went to Kho Hong Mountain Viewpoint, visited the Khlong Hae Floating Market (but not opened yet) so went to the Central Festival Mall instead for some aircon and lunch.

Headed back into town, got some noodles for tea break. After that went to Greenway Night Market. This is much larger than ASEAN night market that I always go to. They even have a nice food court here where I grabbed my dinner on the second story.