Door Opening..... As I wake this morning there is no increase in the pain from gout I suffered yesterday and with medication started 24 hours ago, I'm hopeful for a gradual improvement today. This will open the door to travel around Chanthaburi.
We now need a breakfast and note that there is coffee and snacks in the reception area. This open-plan space is dominated by a large central bar clearly a designer's golden goose, but the goose is dead. There is nothing else here except a coffee machine and cream biscuits. You are welcome to bring your own food though and use the microwave. The coffee is welcome, but I think we will eat in the room from now on. With that off my mind we head out to explore and see how the day goes.
My thoughts are still focused on visiting the city for shopping but Katoon suggests we head north towards the mountains. I can live with that as we don't need to go far to visit an important temple. We head along rural road 3249 and soon get distracted by a roadside feature.
Amazing Stone..... The Amazing Stone is an almost spherical stone about 3 metres high that at some time must have rolled down the mountain and come to rest here. While geology would explain it, over time the stone has become sacred and a site of pilgrimage. The important temple is just a bit further on.
Wat Kathing..... 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. At the moment this temple is practically deserted but for three months of the year during the dry season (February to April) it certainly isn't. Wat Krathing is one of the temples pressed into service as a car park during a pilgrimage to Wat Khao Khitchakut.
Wat Phluang Khao Khitchakut..... Wat Phluang lies on the road to Khuan Phluang, Here there is neglect all around, but this temple too will come to life when visits to Wat Khao Khitchakut resume.
Khuan Phluang..... Kuean Phluang 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.
Khao Khitchakut..... I first heard about Khao Khitchakut quite a few years ago now when my partner arrived here with a friend to make the arduous trek up to the summit of this 1,000 metre mountain. From that point I knew I'd never reach this, the highest Buddha Footprint in Thailand. Yet here I am today where you can rent a truck in season to take you part way up, but the rest is up to you. The Buddha Footprint is located at Khao Phra Bat peak, the highest point at 1,085 metres above msl. For foreigners wishing to make this trip there is a 200 baht park fee and an additional 200 baht for the truck. Obviously this is a serious hike and would take up a good part of the day. There are other options available and for 1,000 baht you can hire a sherpa with a rickshaw.
With the very thought of this making me hungry, we find a local eatery and I just wish there were a lot more like this. Before we head back to Chantaburi there is one more thing I could try as I realise that my gout attack has ended. That was quick!
Namtok Krathing (Krathing Waterfall)..... I guess I should have known that this waterfall is inside the national park so there is a foreigner tax of 200 baht. This is not big money I know, but I can only spend 15 minutes to take photos so turn the option down besides which there is another storm brewing. These parks are ideal in fine weather where you can spend all day picnicking and messing about in the river.
Heading into the city I hope for a chance to do some shopping but first reach another temple.
Wat Bot Muang..... As soon as we can park, we head for the Chanthaburi River crossing over to the city side where Wat Bot Muang is. Wat Bot Muang has an Ayutthaya style golden chedi, but its actual date is unclear; it was first renovated about 90 years ago. The chedi though stands at the gateway to the old city area which is much older.
Chanthaboon Waterfront Community..... At last, I reach the old town after my first visit 8 years ago, but there is bad news. Basically I'm here at the wrong time; there are so few shops open. The Waterfront only springs to life Friday to Sunday. It's then the souvenir shops and jewelry shops are open. It's a disappointment and leaves me with no option but to continue a tour I never planned.
Chanthanaburi is proving to be another one of Thailand's provinces that have flown under the radar as I continue to find more attractions. Already satisfied by progress in the morning I'm very surprised that not one of city temples had been visited before so let's continue to do something about that.
Wat Phai Lom (Royal Monastery)..... Wat Phai Lom is an old temple over 200 years old and there are still structures left within the temple such as the monk's houses and the pavilion. Recently a huge reclining Buddha has been added housed in a hall and further work is progressing on a seated image in the open nearby. As is often the case, one visit leads to another as we are directed to another temple of historic importance.
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 an inscription stone. The lovely old ubosot (ordination hall) dates back some 250 years probably just after the time of King Taksin the Great. Chanthanaburi is remembered for its part as a turning point in Siamese history. It's to here that Taksin lead his defeated army after the sack of Ayutthaya in 1767 only to raise a new force and take revenge becoming king in the process.
Muang Paniat Archaeological Site..... At Mueang Phaniat archaeological site are remains of a large Khmer religious sanctuary and moats marking the town limit to the south. The ancient town is believed to date from between the 8th to 12th Centuries. I arrive here and see that the site has suffered over time, and it's interesting that they call it an archaeological site when in fact it is and ancient town awaiting an archaeological survey. This must be one of the last remaining ancient sites of this size that has not yet been excavated by the Fine Arts Department. For now all you can see is the base of the sanctuary typically constructed from laterite blocks, I can imagine what this might have looked like with its towers and magnificent sandstone doorways and lintels as can be seen preserved in Wat Thong Thua.
It's time to call it a day which covered a lot, so unexpected under the circumstances. It's strange that I can revisit a province and struggle to find anything fresh yet here there is so much to take in, and I just wonder what's else is here to uncover. It just remains to find a dinner, but I'm not that hungry. We end up with a hot pot when I just need a burger or something. My appeasement backfires; no sooner am I back in the room than it comes straight back out again. Gout, stomach upsets, I get it all and still keep going!
With a second night at Bluebed at least I can make some adjustments after initial irritation. We bring in the folding table we carry around with us just in case we come across circumstances like here but honestly, having to bring your own furniture into a hotel is just nuts. With a table in place I can happily work with my laptop and use it for breakfast too.
Tomorrow I must get down to the market but have to wait while this bug clears up.

Source: Visit