Last Minute.....By now, I would have expected to be more adventurous but partly due to weather issues up north and the fact that Katoon has been invited to a party on Saturday, I don't expect to be travelling very far. Today however, a free day today and I've come up with a few potential sites to visit. There could be trains too but certainly no football. All seems good to go but at the last minute I add an overnight stop for what reason is not clear. That will take us further than I intended today but still with an easy return for Katoon to attend her party.
We head east towards Chachoengsao and of course I can't pass the station without a visit. However, there's no service due for a while and no schedule for freight services that I can use. With this, I head to the first attraction on my list.
Khok Phanom Di Archaeological Site.....The appearance of this site on my list stems from my recent visit to Ban Kao National Museum in Kanchanaburi province where this site was listed as one of five important archaeological sites in Thailand. This would be the 4th I've visited but it's not to be as the facility is closed pending renovation. The burial pits, I presume they are housed in a the building here rather than in the open. The site comes under the Fine Art Department based in Prachin Buri. and we are told that it could be six months before it reopens. With no activity on site at all I suppose this is down to obtaining a budget for the work. While I can't see the results of excavations I can at least report what is here.
In 1984 and 1985 the Fine Arts Department and Otago University of New Zealand conducted a study on prehistoric life in the Bang Pakong River Basin. The project supervised by Thai director Ratchanee Tosarat and New Zealand director Professor Charles Higham covered the hill which is about 230 metres in diametre in Ban Khok Phanom Di village, Phanat Nikhom District, Chonburi Province.
Excavation under the project led to the discovery of 154 skeletons consisting of 68 adults, 32 male and 36 female, and 14 skeletons of children and newborns.
Archaeologists also found many artifacts including tools. The study concluded that ancient people settled and developed their society in this area between 1,500 and 4,000 years ago.
In a lesser timeframe I would like to return when the upgrades have been completed.
We are still in the borderlands of Chachoengsao and Chonburi and one more historic building is on my list. Sra Si Liam Historic Site.....This site consists of a rectangular pond constructed 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. The laterite ponds or barays were part of the medical stations built by King Jayavaraman VII, 12th/13th Century but the precise rock cutting suggests a much more recent construction; it was in existence in the early 19th Century.
The visits so far have been underwhelming but maybe the next will provide much interest.
Regional Observatory, Chachoengsao.....Arriving at the observatory, this site is more substantial than I imagined. The attraction here is the observation tower, sadly closed today but the Astronomical Learning Center and Planet walk are free to view. I like the section on planetary exploration which brings us up to date with a model of the Curiosity Rover and details of the Artemis Mission. This observatory is well worth a visit but come on a Saturday.
At this point my mini tour is complete, and we could easily return to Bangkok to here, but I have booked accommodation in Siracha so am looking for new ideas. That doesn't include Siracha Railway station which I need to pass, but a visit here draws a blank today. The plan now is to settle it to our accommodation and see what we can achieve in the evening.
Racha Residence.....We arrive at Racha Residence and find an older style apartment block right in the city. On finding our room there's a bit of a surprise as this apartment is designed for long stay being equipped with electric hob, fridge, microwave, some cooking equipment and even a washing machine. However, none of this seems useful for just overnight, although the microwave will be handy in the morning. Suitably refreshed, we now need a dinner. We are told they do a nice steak just a short walk away, but that's a far as we get as a rather angry thunderstorm hits. There will be now exploring for the time being. Perhaps in the light of day tomorrow, things will be quieter. Let's just relax now and see out the day.

Source: Visit