OCTOBER 2024
Day	Province	District	Activity: click on for photo
1	No activity
2	Bangkok Metropolis	Khlong 2, Khlong Sam Wa District	Little activity: Katoon attends a funeral early evening then we take dinner; Japanese style.
3		Miniburi, Khet Minburi	We take lunch on Panya Inthra Road and I get to try some venison then head for Minburi Market for shopping.
4 How did the day go?	Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya	Ban Mai, Maha Rat District	Maharat Buddhist Park, Luang Pu Thuat: This park was visited on Sunday 29 September.
	Chainat	Nang Lu, Mueang Chai Nat District	Wat Song Sawoei: Wat Song Sawoei owes its fame to one of King Rama V's visits when in October 1908 he landed at Ban Nong Khae while navigating the Tha Chin River.
			Tha Chin River is a distributary of the Chao Phraya river.
	Phitsanulok	Wat Chan, Mueang Phitsanulok District	Hop Inn: No fuss budget accommodation, part of a national chain.
5 How did the day go?		Nai Mueang, Mueang Phitsanulok District	Phitsanulok Railway Station is a railway station in Phitsanulok on the State Railway of Thailand's Northern Line.
			Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan is a Buddhist temple founded in 1357 by King Lithai of Sukhothai, located on east bank of Nan River in Phitsanulok City.
		Wat Chan, Mueang Phitsanulok District	The Nan River is one of the most important tributaries of the Chao Phraya River.
			Wat Chan Tawan Tok is a new temple distinguished by its magnificent gleaming towers atop the viharn (sanctuary). The structure is nearly complete. I visited here in February 2024.
	Sukhothai	Thap Phueng, Si Samrong District	Teerada Resort: Link bungalow type accommodation, comfortable, near conveniences, great value. You will need your own transport.
		Ban Kluai, Mueang Sukhothai District	Thalay Luang Stadium : great little stadium close to The Holy Heartland - Talayluang. Occasion - Sukhothai v Nakhon Ratchasima
6 How did the day go?	A day of transit covering 377 kilometres and 6 provinces, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen and Nong Bua Lamphu.
	Nong Bua Lamphu	Lam Phu, Mueang Nong Bua Lam Phu District	Ruen Chorfa Hotel: Small 2-story hotel near Bung Nong Bua in the city. Comfortable, good for short stay.
			Pitchaya Stadium: home of Nong Bua Pitchaya FC. Occasion - Nong Bua Pitchaya FC v True Bangkok United.
7 How did the day go?			Namtok Thao To Forest Park is just 10 minutes from the city on HWY 210 to Udon Thani. The main attraction is the Thao To Waterfall which is small, more of a cascading fall with water muddied after heavy rain.
			Luang Pho Pu Lup Shrine: This is a shrine to Luang Pho Pu Lup. The principal feature is the large golden standing Buddha on the hillside which can be seen from a good distance. The entrance to the temple features a pair of naga serpents whose tails extend for a considerable distance.
		Thep Kiri, Na Wang District	Pha Chor Cave: The cave is located in Pha Por cliff which is difficult to reach with some 400 steps but offers amazing panoramic views. Pha Chor refers to a hole in the cliff face near the summit.
	Loei	Kut Pong, Amphoe Mueang Loei	Fortune D Loei: This is an apartment type hotel offering a buffet breakfast, air-conditioned rooms and comes with a desk and free Wi-Fi. The cons noted are, the bed being uncomfortable and a poor Wi-Fi signal.
8 How did the day go?	In transit from Loei to Bangkok, 567 km using HWY 201 passing Chum Phae to the M6 and the Mittraphap Road.
	Khon Kaen	Non Sa-at, Chum Phae District	Wat Chaeng Sawang Nok/Wat Phra That Luang (Temple of the Emerald Buddha): This phrathat is still under construction with final embellishments being added. Inside the phrathat is the Emerald Buddha in a beautifully decorated hall. Here on the external walls, murals will be added. At the entrance are two gleaming Naga (snake) statues.
9 How did the day go?	Samut Songkram	Bang Kung, Bang Khonthi District	Wat Bang Kung: At this temple there is an old ordination hall which houses a large sculptured Buddha image commonly called by villagers as Luangpho Bot Noi. Mural paintings from the late Ayutthaya period depict Lord Buddha while he was sitting in the niche and preaching. The site was a battlefield when Burmese troops tried unsuccessfully to invade in a naval action during the early Rattanakosin era.
		Khaeo Om, Amphawa District	Wat Pak Nam: Located at the mouth of the Khwae Om River, this temple includes the largest reclining Buddha image in Samut Songkhram province, Phra Phutthachai, built with ancient jars, Luang Pho Tanjai and Luang Pho Ban Laem Buddha's footprint, an early Rattanakosin era viharn (sermon hall) and an old pavilion.
			Wat Bangkhae Noi: This is temple built on the Mae Khlong riverbank and dating from 1868 built by a high-ranking official.
			Ancient Thai Cat Conservation Center (Thai Cat House): The centre is quite small, and the cats kept in cages apart from the nursery. Beware of the smell but otherwise ask to pick up a Siamese Cat, literally.
			Wat Bang Khae Klang: This temple was built in the reign of King Rama II and has Royal connections. Some important history and buildings from the early Rattanakosin era can be found here.
			Wat Prok Suthammaram: This is an old temple built in 1828. Some buildings remain from this time but the ubosot (ordination hall) had to be rebuilt. There still Buddha images here from an earlier time waiting to find a home.
		Ban Prok, Mueang Samut Songkhram District	Namthip Kitchen: This is a seafood restaurant beside the Mae Khlong River serving traditional Thai seafood meals. The good selection and value is better than some. It isn't the best time to visit during the rainy season.
			Tha Chin River: This river, sometimes spelled Meklong, is a river in western Thailand. The river begins in Kanchanaburi Province and flows across Ratchaburi and Samut Songkhram Province.
10	No activity
11	Bangkok Metropolis	No activity apart from shopping in the Thannommit Market in Tha Raeng, Bang Khen. Thannommit Market is a bustling, covered marketplace with vendors selling fruits, vegetables, fish, meat & prepared foods.
12	No activity
13	Bangkok Metropolis	Lunch at Thannommit Market then off to make some videos at Bang Sue Junction Station. Route: MRT Pink Line to Lak Si and SRT Red Line to Bang Sue. photos.
14 How did the day go?	Rayong	Tha Pradu, Mueang Rayong District	Wat Khot Thimtharam: This temple was constructed is in the late Ayutthaya Period, built by the Governor of Rayong. The ubosot contains the image of Luang Por Khao.
	Chanthaburi	Tha Chang, Mueang Chanthaburi District	Bluebed Hotel: Modern and appealing with swimming pool but sadly lacking suitable furnishings in the room. Three night stay booked here.
15 How did the day go?		Sak Thai, Khao Khitchakut District	Amazing Stone: This is a sacred stone, a site of pilgrimage, since it came to rest here in the past.
		Pluang, Khao Khitchakut District	Wat Krathing: Wat Kathing (Bull Temple) lies at the foot of Khao Khitchakut (Khitchakut Mountain) and contains the mausoleum of the former revered monk Luang Pu Thian.
			Wat Phluang Khao Khitchakut: This temple is neglected for most of the year but between February and April it is a base for those who wish to head up the mountain to the temple, Wat Khao Kitchakut either on foot or useing a pickup truck for part of the way.
			Khao Khitchakut National Park: Being one of the smallest national parks in the country, this park covers 59 km² of mountainous forest. The park is popular for the annual pilgrimage to Buddha Footprint at Khao Phra Bat, it’s waterfalls and hiking.
			Khuan Phluang: This is an earth and rock dam at the southern end of Khao Khitchakut National Park, formed from water running off the mountain and is an important source of fresh water in the dry season.
			Namtok Krathing (Krathing Waterfall): Krathing Waterfall is a high waterfall with 13 levels although only 8 are reachable. The waterfall lies inside the Khao Kitchakut National Park which has a 200 baht entrance fee.
		Wat Mai, Mueang Chanthaburi District	Wat Bot Muang: Wat Bot Muang is a serene and quaint temple situated at the entrance to the old Chanthaboon market community.
			Chanthaboon Waterfront Community is a cultural attraction in Chanthaburi. There are many old buildings in Sino-Portuguese and Gingerbread styles lined up on one km (0.6 mi) long pedestrian street along the Chanthaburi River.
		Chanthanimit, Mueang Chanthaburi District	Wat Phai Lom (Royal Monastery): Wat Phai Lom is an old temple in Chanthaburi that is over 200 years old and there are still structures left within the temple such as; the monk's houses and the pavilion.
		Phlap Phla, Mueang Chanthaburi District	Wat Thong Thua: Wat Thong Thua is the site of an ancient temple which was built in Khmer-style. It also has a large collection of ancient Khmer sculptures such as lintels, sandstone door columns carve in various designs and inscription stone.
		Khlong Narai, Mueang Chanthaburi District	Muang Paniat Archaeological Site is a laterite structure, the only intact vestige that can be seen today within the site of Muang Paniat Ancient City. It represents just a small section of what was undoubtedly an extensive series of ponds, terraces and shrines. The ruin dates from the 9th Century.
16 How did the day go?		Wat Mai, Mueang Chanthaburi District	Chanthaburi - Gems and Jewelry Centre. At the museum you can learn about the history of gemstones in Thailand at Chanthaburi Gems & Jewelry Centre in this province that is recognized as the home to the largest gemstone market in the country. Explore the live museum exhibition, enjoy gemstone cutting demonstrations, watch a 3D video about mining activities from past to present, join workshops on verifying genuine gemstones and gemstone cutting with experts, and see rare and valuable jewellery masterpieces.
			Namphu Market: I'm here only to buy some dried fish products.
		Pak Nam Laem Sing, Laem Sing District	Chanthaburi River: The fishing pier at Pak Nam Laem Sing is a great place to view this river as it empties into the Gulf of Thailand.
			Laem Sing Beach is one of Thailand's getaway beaches on the coast of Chanthaburi. It's popular at weekends in the summer season but normally very quiet.
17 How did the day go?	Sa Kaew	Watthana Nakhon, Watthana Nakhon District	Wat Nakorn Tham is home to an important Buddha statue called Luangpho Khao. This 100-year-old Buddha image in the attitude of meditation is made from white earth.
	Buriram	Samet, Mueang Buriram District	Skyview Resort: This accommodation is convenient for the Thunder Castle Stadium with convenience food nearby. There are various accommodation types from 750 baht with an outstanding buffet breakfast. Minor issues with furnishings and Wi-Fi otherwise excellent.
			Thunder Castle (Chiang Arena Stadium): Thailand’s first 'football stadium', having standards and being recognised by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Today's occasion: TPL fixture between Buriram United and Uthai Thani FC.
18 How did the day go?		Nai Mueang, Mueang Buri Ram District	Buriram Railway Station: Arrival of Rapid Train 136 from Ubon Ratchathani.
19	Bangkok Metropolis	Lunch in Khubon Road then to Fashion Island for a o/s reinstall on my notebook. Last minute decision to check the land at Na Hin Lat (Nakhon Nayok).
	Nakhon Nayok	Na Hin Lat, Pak Phli District	Wang Muang Waterfall: This is a small tiered waterfall running down from Khao Yai National Park. Access is via Road 3288 where ends at this waterfall.
20	No activity as I take a break. At 6.00 am Katoon goes out for a Buddhist ceremony at Wat Pa Khlong 11 (Pathum Thani) so it's chicken and chips for me.
21	No activity except to get a hair cut and dinner in Khubon Road.