SEPTEMBER 2024
Day	Province	District	Activity: click on for photo
1	Rayong	Mueang Rayong	Eco Houses: Enquiry
	Chonburi	Pong, Bang Lamung District	Trendy Box House: Enquiry
		Nong Pla Lai, Bang Lamung District	Loftbit Park: Restaurant with rabbit park.
		Pattaya City, Bang Lamung District	Pattaya Railway Station: 284 Ordinary Train departure to Chachoengsao.
	Chachoengsao	Na Mueang, Mueang Chachoengsao District	Chachoengsao Junction Railway Station: 284 Ordinary Train arrival from Pattaya.
2	Bangkok Metropolis	Don Mueang	Don Mueang Railway Station: Rail journey to Pak Chong. Ordinary ticket 32 baht, 4 hour duration.
	Nakhon Ratchasima	Pak Chong	Pak Chong Railway Station: Rail journey from Don Mueang. Ordinary ticket 32 baht, 4 hour duration.
	Nakhon Ratchasima	Pak Chong	Bigger' Burger & steak: Amazing meal with family.
3	No activity
4	Bangkok Metropolis	Khan Na Yao	Fashion Island: shopping (IT)
5	Bangkok Metropolis, Pathum Thani, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya	Tour: (various districts)	Rail Tour: 1) Kor Mor 6 to Lak to Lak Si (MRT Pink Line monorail), 2) Lak Si to Rangsit (SRT Red Line), 3) Rangsit to Ayutthaya (SRT long distance Express Train 71), 4) Ayutthaya to Hua Lamphong, Bangkok (Ordinary Train 234 from Surin), 5) Hua Lamphong to Phayon Yothin (MRT Blue Line), 6) Phayon Yothon to Wat Phra Si (Green or Sukhumvit Line), 7) Wat Phra Si to Khubon (MRT Pink Line monorail).
6	No activity
7	Pathum Thani	Khlong 11, Lam Luk Ka	Party Time:
8	No activity
9	Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya	Bo Ngoen, Lat Bua Luang District	Wat Chedi Hoi (Shell Pagoda): Chedi under construction using giant oyster shells millions of years old from a discovered shell cemetery. The area used to be under water before the delta silted up. Note that the chedi is likely in Pathum Thani province since the border runs right through the temple.
		Bo Ngoen, Lat Bua Luang District	Setti Homes: Enquiry
		2-day trip to Kanchanaburi abandoned due to automatic gear selection issue i.e. stuck in neutral. Temporary fix using video link.
10 How did the day go?	Nakhon Pathom	Nakhon Pathom, Mueang Nakhon Pathom District	Nakhon Pathom Railway Station: noting the new station building currently being fitted out while the new raised platforms are in use.
	Ratchaburi	Nong Kop, Ban Pong District	Nong Pladuk Railway Station: noting the new station building currently being fitted out while the new raised platforms are in use. Here the Southern Line splits. On 16 September 1942 construction of the Thai/Burmese (Death) railway began at this station. Much of the line was closed after the war but passengers can reach Namtok Station in Sai Yok from here.
	Kanchanaburi	Phong Tuk, Tha Maka District	Phong Teuk Archaeological Site: ancient city of the Dvaravati Period.
		Ban Tai, Mueang Kanchanaburi District	Kanchanaburi Railway Station: departure of Ordinary Train 259, Thonburi - Namtok. The station on the Thai/Burma Railway opened in 1942 by the Imperial Japanese Army.
		Tha Sao, Sai Yok District	Nam Tok Railway Station: arrival of Ordinary Train 259, Thonburi - Namtok. The station on the Thai/Burma Railway opened in 1942 by the Imperial Japanese Army. Photo of the journey.
		Pak Phraek, Mueang Kanchanaburi District	Hop Inn: part of a national chain of budget appartments. Overnight accommodation.
11 How did the day go?			City Pillar Shrine or San Lak Mueang: San Lak Mueang is Kanchanaburi’s city pillar shrine. Known as lak mueang (love of city), city pillar shrines reside in most Thai urban centres. These interesting inner-city temples were constructed upon founding a new town to house Chao Pho Lak Mueang, or the city spirit diety.
			Kanchanaburi Town Gate and Wall:
			The King's Monument (King Rama III): see Town Gate (above).
			Kanchanaburi Walking Street: Good place to go in the evenings for local food.
			Kanchanaburi Skywalk: outstanding new attraction opened in September 2022 for those wishing to enjoy views looking over the Khwae Yai River and the Mae Khlong.
		Ban Tai, Mueang Kanchanaburi District	Sapan Khwae Yai Railway Halt: this is the station for those wishing to embark or disembark for the 'Death Railway' journey to Nam Tok Station.
		Ban Tai, Mueang Kanchanaburi District	River Khwae Bridge: this is the bridge over the Khwae Yai River built after WWII noting that it is not the bridge destroyed by allied bombing or have any connection with the 1957 epic war film 'The Bridge on the River Kwai'.
		Lat Ya, Mueang Kanchanaburi District	Kanchanaburi Ancient Ruins: impressive remains of the old city establised in the early Ayutthaya Period.
		Sing, Sai Yok District	Ancient City of Garuda: there is little to see at this site today just some stones amoung cashew nut trees. Artifacts discovered here have been removed to museums.
		Ban Kao, Mueang Kanchanaburi District	Ban Kao National Museum: from Neolithic finds during WWII while building the railway, experts arrived after the war to discover this important archaeological site at Ban Kao, one of only a handful in Thailand and of major international interest. This impressive museum was establised on site to promote further investigation and research and to catalogue the large quantity of finds.
		Ban Kao, Mueang Kanchanaburi District	Wat Tha Pho Burial Site: in the grounds of Wat Tha Pho just a couple of hundred metres from the national museum there have been excavations resulting in the digging of 5 burial pits. From these pits much information has been gathered regarding the ancient community that existed here especially from the recovery of a wide variety of grave goods.
		Kaeng Sian, Mueang Kanchanaburi District	Wat Metta Dharma Bodhiyan: this Mahayana Chinese temple lies in a forested region west of Kanchanaburi. The focus is on teak wood carving which has created Guanyin Bodhisattva (Chinese Godess of Mercy) carved from fragrant wood in more than 100 poses. The temple is rapidly expanding with construction starting for a massive Guanyin statue in the grounds.
		Nong Ya, Mueang Kanchanaburi District	Wat Tham Phu Wa: Located about twenty kilometers from Kanchanaburi city, this temple lies in fabulous landscaped grounds. The main features are the Reclining Buddha (Phra Non) and the prasat sculptered in Khmer art in the Lopburi style. The latter is actually the entrance to the cave which has 2 floors filled with religious art.
		Ko Samrong, Mueang Kanchanaburi District	Wat Tham Muninat (Wat Ruesi): this temple is around 50 years old and has an impressive chedi with amazing scenery as a backdrop. A man made cave with a large reclining Buddha inside is being built.
		Ko Samrong, Mueang Kanchanaburi District	Giant Raintree (Monkey Pod Tree): this tree is over 100 years old and boasts a massive trunk. Hundreds of branches extend its width to 25m, creating a massive canopy that can be seen from a distance.
		Khao Noi, Tha Muang District	Wat Ban Tham: this temple is only five kilometres from Wat Tham Sua. A long staircase brings you to the entrance which feels like walking through a mouth of a dragon.
12	Travelled to PAT Stadium to buy tickets for the Buriram Game but they were sold out. Took the MRT to Hua Lamphong then SRT to Don Mueang, Red Line to Lak Si and Pink Line to Khubon.
13	No activity
14 How did the day go?	Saraburi	Pak Priao, Muang Saraburi District	Saraburi Railway Station: good result. Two stop trains and one engine running light.
	Nakhon Ratchasima	Khlong Phai, Sikhio District	Cook & Koff: this is a must for those travelling in this area on account of the exquisit view from its location at the head of the huge Lam Takong Reservoir. To the left is the new elevated highway along the Mittraphap road which stretches for a huge distance and is free to use until the highway is fully opened. To the right of the reservoir you can see construction work continuing on HSR which is due to open in 2026. The name suggests that there is a coffee shop/restaurant here but there is more to it that that. Sikhio is the location of Klongpai Central Prison and a prison in Thai is 'kook'. The first catering facilities were set up here for prisoners who were discharged or on parole waiting to return to society from this remote district. Word spread about the excellent facilities and it was inevitable that Cook and Coff was opened to the public.
		Khlong Phai, Sikhio District	Lam Takhong Reservoir: The dam was originally constructed in 1974 for the purposes of irrigation and water supply but after 2002, its water storage also serves as the lower reservoir for the Lam Takhong pumped storage power plant, Thailand's first power plant of that type.
		Nai Mueang, Nakhon Ratchasima District	Hop Inn: overnight accommodation. No frills budget hotel chain, clean and practical for short stays. This accommodation is being refurbised with completion in November 2024.
		Suranari, Nakhon Ratchasima District	80th Birthday Stadium is home to Nakhon Ratchasima FC currently playing in the Thai Premier League . The occasion: Nakhon Ratchasima FC v True Bangkok United. Highlights on Youtube.
15 How did the day go?		Nai Mueang, Nakhon Ratchasima District	Nakhon Ratchasima railway station: great videos made here for my YouTube channel. Five passenger services and one freight train recorded around lunchtime.
		Nok Ok, Pak Thong Chai District	Wat Nok Ok (Prathumkongkha): this temple was built in 1774. The two notable historic buildings are the Hor Trai (scripture hall), built in the middle of a lotus pond and the Ubosot (ordination hall). This building is timber framed infilled with brick and render. The wooden roof was beautifully painted but sadly faded now. Other buildings such as the Viharn (assembly hall) are richly decorated but modern.
			Wat Kok Si Sa Ket: this abandoned temple is in a peaceful location beside a lotus lake. The old Ubosot (ordination hall) is built from wood infilled with brick and render having four chambers. The corbled wooden roof, set without a gable has cement roof tiles. The ceiling is decorated with mural paintings in Ayutthaya art style relating the biography of the Lord Buddha. The sema (boundary) stones here are not contemporary having been brought here from the Khmer sanctuary Prasat Ban Prang nearby.
			Prasat Ban Prang: this ancient Khmer temple has received restoration work recently by the Fine Arts Department. The Hindu ruin dates from the 11th-12th centuries comprising a principal tower on a rectangular plan facing east. The base is built of laterite with the upper structure in sandstone. There may have been three towers on the same base. The overall layout is difficult to disceminate having been lost over time.
16	No activity
17	Bangkok Metropolis	Khan Na Yao and Bang Khen	Home-Pro, Fashion Island and Ram Inthra 71 Village: shopping
18	No activity due to the weather: A rather strong monsoon trough is moving down into central area from the 18th. During 20 - 22 Sep, more rains, some of it isolated and heavy are possible.
19 How did the day go?	Bangkok Metropolis	Khwaeng Lat Krabang, Khet Lat Krabang	Lat Krabang Railway Station: one service arriving.
	Bangkok Metropolis	Khwaeng Lat Krabang, Khet Lat Krabang	Hua Takhe Railway Station: one service arriving plus two container trains passing.
	Chachoengsao	Song Khlong, Bang Pakong District	Wat Hong Thong: remarkable temple in the water estabished in 1990. The cool sea breeze and lovely location with a viewing tower makes this a stand-out temple.
	Samut Prakan	Bang Pu, Samut Prakan District	Khorbfa La Tawan: seafood restaurant run by the community. Food, service and value for money excellent. For the Khlong Ta Viewpoint, continue past the restaurant to see the birds in season.
20	No activity except into the village for a steak in the evening: Rain has returned as expected.
21 How did the day go?	Nonthanburi	Bang Krang, Nueang Nonthaburi District	Wat Prasat Nonthaburi: this temple was reputed to be built by King Prasat Thong (early 17th Century) and is currently undergoing substantial resoration.
		Bang Yai, Nueang Bang Yai District	Wat Prang Luang: it is believed that this temple was constructed during the reign of King Ramathibodi I (U-Thong) during the Early Ayutthaya Period (14th Century).
		Bang Muang, Nueang Bang Yai District	Wat Ampawan: this temple was built in the late Ayutthaya Period formerly called Wat Bang Mueang. The main attraction is the colourful Hor Thai (scripure hall); these are normally built of wood without decoration. The main feature of these halls is that they were built on ponds. There is just the impression of a pond here after landfill. Here you will also find a mondrop for a Buddha Footprint. The temple is beside Khlong (canal) Om Non.
	Nakhon Pathom	Klong Nok Krathung, Bang Len District	Baan Nok: this venue is decribed a a 'farmer's market' but this is an open food court with little else to offer besides relaxing by the Tha Chin River.
		Klong Nok Krathung, Bang Len District	Tha Chin River:
		Wat Khae, Nakhon Chai Si District	Nakhon Chai Si Railway Station: for the afternoon Local Train 1118 to Taling Chan.
	Bangkok Metropolis	Chim Phli, Khet Taling Chan	Taling Chan Railway Station: station on the SRT Southern Line and terminal for the SRT Red Line. Arrival of Local Train 1118 from Nakhon Pathom today.
		Khwaeng Chatuchak, Khet Chatuchak	Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal: terminal station for the SRT Red Line and all long distance trains. Also with a connection to Bang Sue Junction Station and MRT Blue Line.
		Khwaeng Chatuchak, Khet Chatuchak	Bang Sue Junction Station: station for Ordinary and Commuter Trains leaving Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) Station on the Northern, Northeastern and Southern Lines. Also with a connection to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal and the MRT Blue Line.
22		Khet Khlong Toei	PAT Stadium: occasion of the TPL fixture between Port FC and BG Pathum United. View on YouTube.
23	No activity
24 How did the day go?	Samut Sakhon	Laem Fa Pha, Phra Samut Chedi District	Ban Khun Samut Chin: Excellent seafood meal here today.
		Laem Fa Pha, Phra Samut Chedi District	Wat Khun Samutrawat: This abandoned temple is on a isle which was once part the mainland. To avoid sea water, the floor of the temple was raised up such that visitors have to crawl into the hall. Also, there is a Chinese shrine to Guanyin and a standing Buddha statue facing the sea at the tip of the isle, some pottery and other ware relating to past Chinese trade here and finally a memorial to past Kings and to Krom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak, one of King Rama V's sons who modernised the Thai Navy. Furthermore, there is a walkway to explore an abundant mangrove forest and local community.
		Pak Khlong Bang Pla Kot, Phra Samut Chedi District	Phra Samut Chedi: temple completed during the reign of King Rama III (early 19th Century).
		Pak Khlong Bang Pla Kot, Phra Samut Chedi District	Phi Suea Samut Fort Museum: The fort was part of the defence against threats by ships from downriver. It has three gun emplacements, magazines and a warehouse. The guns are known as disappearing guns which is artillery installed behind fortification walls with mechanisms that lift the gun for firing and then retract it for protection. These were installed, especially in coastal defenses, from the 1860s until as late as 1923. A visit here complements nicely a visit to the Phra Chulachomklao Fort where visitors can learn about the Paknam Incident which was a military engagement fought during the Franco-Siamese crisis in July 1893.
25	To Lak Si PO Customs by car to collect a packet. Red Line to Bang Sue (repeat visit from 21 Sep), SRT Bang Sue to Rangsit (repeat visit from 29 Aug), Red Line Rangsit to Lak Si, MRT Pink Line to Kor Mor 6.
26	No Activity apart from dinner in the village; Jim Jum (suki hot pot).
27 How did the day go?	Chonburi	Tha Kham, Phanat Nikhom District	Khok Phanom Di Archaeological Site is a Neolithic site located on the former estuary of the Bang Pakong River in Central Thailand. The initial dating placed its foundation in about 2000 BCE.
	Chonburi	Sra Si Liam, Phanat Nikhom District	Sra Si Liam Historic Site consists of a rectangular pond constucted with laterite blocks, located next to the Royal Irrigation Department canal. It is characterised by digging and cutting the rock into smooth, small, vertical faces.
	Chachoengsao	Wang Yen, Plaeng Yao District	Regional Observatory Chachoengsao provides academic services in astronomy to local and nearby communities, as well as supports astronomy curricula in schools, fundamental research and is an astro-tourism attraction in the region.
	Chonburi	Si Racha, Siracha District	Racha Residence: older style serviced apartment with spacious rooms and kitchenette good for longer stays, friendly staff, near local conveniences and value for money.
28 How did the day go?			Koh Loi is small island in the middle of the sea located 500 meters away from the coastline. It is a famous place for relaxation for locals and tourists. It is also a main ferry port to Sichang Island.
			Wat Koh Loi: this small Thai-Chinese Buddhist temple on Ko Loi with excellent views of the island, pier and the Sirach coast.
		Surasak, Siracha District	Samnaksong Khao Phra Khru: take a short trip up to Khao Phra Khru and enjoy the atmosphere. Most importantly, there is a Naga temple here with a crystal ball for asking for blessings to improve your luck. From here there is a panoramic view of Sriracha city. It's a great place to make merit.
		Thung Sukhla, Siracha District	Laem Chabang Railway Station: there is no station here as such, just an office for completing formalites for trains entering or leaving Leam Chabang Port. It is a handover station for freight train divers. The nearest passenger station is at Siracha.
	Train Journey: Train 284 departing from Siracha Junction to Bangkok. Return to residence via MRT Blue Line (Hal Lamphong to Bang Sue), SRT Red Line (Bang Sue to Lak Si), MRT Pink Line (Lak Si to Khubon).
29 How did the day go?	Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya	Ban Mai, Maha Rat District	Maharat Buddhist Park, Luang Pu Thuat: the image of Luang Pu Thuat (who walked on the ocean and turned it into fresh water) is the largest Buddhist monk image in the world.
	Uthai Thani	Uthai Mai, Mueang Uthai Thani District	Uthai Thani Provincial Stadium: report on fixture between Uthai Thani and Chiang Rai United.
	Uthai Thani	Thap Than, Thap Than District	Overnight at Numhom Resort: older resort bungalows that are functional and comfortable enough, peaceful but harder to reach (20 km from Uthai Thani).
30 How did the day go?	Nakhon Sawan	Takhli, Takhli District	Ban Takhli Railway Station: I took Rapid Train No. 112 from here to Ayutthaya Railway Station. Arrived in the village in the evening for dinner and shopping.