Let me preface this by saying that this review is extremely long.

The exact number of episodes is unknown, but I will provide a detailed account of all six days.

Day 1: Thursday, December 1, 2016

On Friday evening, December 1, 2016, our group embarked on a journey from Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi Province. We consisted of four adults and a two-year-old child, totaling five individuals: "I (a young man - a true fan of Thai tourism), Nong M (my boyfriend), Maen (Nong M's older sister), Yi (Nong M's brother-in-law), and Nong Selfie, 2 years old (Maen and Yi's daughter)." Nong Selfie is particularly important because she is the leader of the gang, and everyone has to follow her lead. 555

My initial plan was to depart around 9:00 PM. However, due to heavy traffic, it took me until 8:30 PM to arrive home from the office. After loading the equipment onto my Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck, checking everything, and showering, it was almost 10:00 PM before I could pick up the four other participants in the trip.

The two-year-old niece who took a selfie showed no signs of being tired before the trip. However, within 5 minutes of starting the car, she fell asleep soundly in her mother's arms. I took on the role of driver, using the Kanchanaphisek Road. We stopped to fill up the tank near Pathum Thani and bought energy drinks to keep us awake all night. We were ready for our road trip to Lamphun and Chiang Mai in the morning.

The journey continued towards Ayutthaya, taking the Asian Highway through Ang Thong, Sing Buri, Chai Nat, Uthai Thani, and bypassing Nakhon Sawan. A rest stop was planned near Kamphaeng Phet city around 2 am. During a break to stretch our legs, my father noticed a large screw lodged in the front left tire. We suspected it happened on the bypass due to ongoing construction and the rough road conditions. Be cautious if you're traveling on this route.

Leaky Tire? No Problem! A Simple Trick Using Saliva

This passage describes a clever technique for identifying a leaky tire, using readily available saliva. The author's father, with his advanced knowledge of cars, discovered that by removing a lug nut from the wheel and applying saliva to the suspected leak, bubbles would form, indicating a puncture. This simple yet effective method allowed for a quick identification of the leak, enabling the driver to temporarily seal the hole by reinserting the lug nut. While this technique offers a temporary solution, it is crucial to seek professional repair at a tire shop the following morning.

This passage highlights the ingenuity and resourcefulness that can be applied in everyday situations. By utilizing readily available materials and a keen understanding of mechanics, the author's father devised a practical solution to a common problem. This anecdote serves as a reminder that even in the face of unexpected challenges, simple solutions can often be found with a little creativity and knowledge.

Day 02: Friday, December 2, 2016

Around 5:30 AM, I arrived at Sop Prap District, Lampang Province. As it was approaching dawn, the biggest challenge for drivers who have been driving all night is extreme drowsiness. The best solution is to "park and sleep at a gas station." This trip, we prioritize a slow life, but we still need to arrive on time. Haha, just kidding. I prioritize safety first. I don't take risks or drive fast. Personally, driving fast makes me tired. Driving slowly is less stressful, and I can continue exploring the destination upon arrival.

Upon regaining consciousness around 6:00 AM, a mere half-hour of sleep had significantly improved my state. I promptly brushed my teeth and washed my face, feeling instantly refreshed. However, I found myself alone, as the other four companions remained sound asleep. As we approached Lampang, the road was shrouded in a thick fog, reducing visibility to less than five meters. Consequently, headlights and car horns became crucial for safe navigation.

The road trippers woke up one by one, starting with M, who exclaimed, "Wow, there's so much fog! Drive carefully, brother." The others sat with wide eyes, enjoying the fog along the way. Looking at my watch, it was 7 am and the fog was starting to clear. I stopped the car again so that the members could wash their faces and brush their teeth. The two girls took their nephew to the bathroom for a selfie, while my father and I checked the lug nuts on the front left tire. Suddenly, I smelled engine oil nearby. I assumed it was from the car parked in front, but my father walked around our car, looked up and down, and said, "It's our car, son! The engine oil is all over the fender. We better change the hood."

As my father Yi accurately stated, the smell of engine oil emanating from the engine compartment was indeed due to a loose air hose clamp. Prior to this incident, I had taken the car to have its valves adjusted. While the valve adjustment itself was successful, the air hose clamp was not tightened securely during reassembly. This resulted in air pressure pushing oil out of the engine, causing the observed leak. I must confess that I was unaware of this issue until my father Yi pointed it out. He instructed me to rev the engine to a high RPM, allowing him to identify the source of the oil leak. Using a screwdriver, he tightened the loose clamp, resolving the problem.

In summary, the situation was not overly serious, as we were able to identify the problem thanks to the expertise of Yai, a highly skilled mechanic. We are truly grateful and fortunate to have him on board, as his presence marked the beginning of a road trip filled with kindness, specialist-level assistance, and exciting adventures right from the start.

We then headed to Lamphun city to visit our first destination, "Phra That Hariphunchai," the main pagoda for people born in the year of the rooster (chicken), which is Maen Anne. On the way, Nong Em asked, "How's the car? Has the engine oil level dropped a lot?" I replied, "About 2 liters. We'll find some to buy in Lamphun city later."

At approximately 8:30 AM, we arrived at our destination, greeted by a refreshing cool breeze. Coinciding with my niece's desire for a selfie, I parked the car at the temple and crossed the "Khua Mung Tha Sing" bridge to take our group to sample the "Longan Braised Pork Noodle Soup (Wiang Yong)," the first of its kind in Lamphun. I had the pleasure of trying it several years ago and found it to be exceptionally delicious. This time, it did not disappoint. The taste remained as delightful as I remembered, and the price was reasonable at 40 baht per bowl. The generous portions were a bonus, and the freshly brewed coffee we sampled was equally impressive, rivaling the quality of well-known brands.

The niece who was said to be a picky eater was stunned when she saw this restaurant. She ate a lot, and I suspect she enjoys eating out. I'll take her again next time, it's not far, only about 700 km away.

The origin of the "Longan Braised Pork Noodle Soup (Wiang Yong)" can be traced back to several decades ago. At that time, longan was abundant in Lamphun, leading to a market glut and a price drop to less than 5 baht per kilogram. Many businesses began processing longan into dried longan. The owner of a noodle shop had the idea that "longan could be easily boiled into a soup base, as longan juice has been consumed by Thais for a long time, and longan flesh is boiled with hot water. Therefore, using it as a soup base is not a problem." This simple idea, with a slight twist, led to the creation of the "Longan Braised Pork Noodle Soup (Wiang Yong)," the first of its kind in Lamphun, and possibly the first in the world.

After a satisfying meal, we finally had the opportunity to pay our respects at the Phra That Hariphunchai temple. This temple is one of the few that enshrines multiple relics of the Buddha (most temples only house one). These relics include the Buddha's skull bone, sternum bone, finger bone, and a bowl containing smaller fragments. The early Friday morning crowd was sparse, allowing us to leisurely explore the temple and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. This was the first time my parents, aunt, and niece had visited the temple during the Year of the Rooster, and they were all visibly excited and happy to experience the Lanna culture of northern Thailand. Seeing their joy and enthusiasm gave us, who had driven a long distance, the energy to continue our journey.

The mission here is not over yet because we still need to find a place to buy engine oil and a tire repair shop. I drove into the market behind the pagoda until I found a shop selling engine oil. My car, the "เจ้าโด้", uses the Elf 20W – 50 brand, so I asked if they had it. The answer was no. So I replied that it was okay, I would try to find it in Chiang Mai city. This time I asked about tire repair, "Brother... is there a tire repair shop that also fills with nitrogen?" He immediately replied, "There are none around here! You have to go to Chiang Mai. Actually, you can get your tires repaired at my shop and fill them with regular air. It's the same." I shook my head instead of answering and said thank you. Then I quickly drove to Chiang Mai to get the car sorted out first because it was already 11 am. The travel plans I had made would have to be postponed.

Before I even left the city of Lamphun, I caught a glimpse of the "Cockpit Yanyont Lamphun" shop next to the PTT gas station. I had to turn around because I was sure they would have tire patching and nitrogen inflation services. To give you some context, I've compared regular air with nitrogen in tires, and nitrogen is much better. Whether you're driving long distances or short ones, the nitrogen molecules distribute evenly throughout the tire. Regular air, however, tends to clump together in hot spots, making the ride less smooth and increasing the risk of tire blowouts. That's why I prefer nitrogen.

A Warm Welcome and Efficient Service

"Just 100 baht to patch your tire, sir… Oh, you also want nitrogen inflation? Just one tire? Let me check for you. I'll fill all four tires for 100 baht." The incredibly low price was accompanied by a welcoming smile and excellent service. The waiting room was well-equipped, offering free coffee, tea, and Ovaltine. Everything was completed within half an hour. After paying, I curiously asked, "I inquired at a tire shop in town, and they said there's no nitrogen inflation available here, that I'd have to go all the way to Chiang Mai… Why did they say that?" The young man didn't say much, simply replying, "…It's normal, sir. 555 Anyway, I've checked everything for you. Have a fun trip and safe travels. Lamphun people always welcome tourists, sir."

I truly believe that friendships can be formed while traveling. If you have any tire problems in Lamphun city, I recommend visiting "Cockpit Yanyont Lamphun 053 – 093 - 359".

The distance between Lamphun and Chiang Mai is similar to that between Bangkok and Nonthaburi. After approximately 20 kilometers on Phahonyothin Road (if coming from Lamphun), you will reach the first district of Chiang Mai, Saraphi. I filled my tank again for about 1,400 baht before embarking on a mission to find Elf 20W-50 engine oil. After inquiring with Chiang Mai residents, I was told, "Reach the Nawarat intersection and turn left. You will find many car-related shops. The corner shop definitely has Elf engine oil." It was true, there was plenty of Elf, but it was for motorcycles! 555 Did I look like a young biker?

M contacted the Elf call center (Total is the distributor - I just found out) to check the availability of the oil. They informed him that it was available near Doi Saket district and provided him with the contact number. As he was about to turn the steering wheel, M noticed a roadside shop selling Elf 20W-50 engine oil. What a stroke of luck! The mission to find oil for his beloved car was finally accomplished. He couldn't thank M enough for her help.

............................................................................................

EP 02 of "Tit Tak" will be available soon. / P.S. I wonder how many episodes there will be in total. 555

Contact Information for "Amazing Thailand Fan 2014"

Facebook: Nuim Chalermchai

Pages:

• Amazing Thailand Fan 2014
• Amazing Thailand Fan

Instagram: Nuim_Navigator

Twitter: Nuim_Navigator

Pinterest: Nuim Chalermchai Tunsingha