Day 1 - Tuesday 21 November

Bangkok Exit........Rather predictably there’s a rather subdued feel to the morning. I’m in no rush with Katoon catching up with the ironing from yesterday. If we’re away by midday, that will be fine. The primary destination of this tour is a day’s drive away but a stopover was always factored in to take advantage of attractions on the way. By 10am things seem to be moving forward as packing begins in earnest but as that seems to include everything but the kitchen sink, time starts to approach my target. Finally we’re away by 12 noon but it’s now time to fill the tank, get some lunch and secure some last minute provisions. Fortunately we’re on the right side of the city to head northeast, just 10 minutes from the toll way. The Vios auto proves easy to drive and I soon discover its economy as I fill the tank for less than 1,000 baht. We’re soon heading north along the Kanchanapisek Highway and out of the metropolis.
Taking the driving I make Saraburi in good time then treat myself to a couple of locations that are connected with the railway. For these I hand the driving to Katoon so I can follow Google Map.
Keang Khoi Junction........Google Map For the second time in 3 days, I arrive at Keang Khoi Railway Station but this time I can stop and look around. Invariably there are engines in or near the workshops and I’ve remembered an approach road where I can get access to the line unlike in the UK where I’d be shot for encroaching. I’m more than happy with the stopover as I find exactly what I was looking for. The State Railway of Thailand acquired a batch of 20 freight locomotives in 2015 from China and one is in the sidings photo. It’s not the first time I’ve seen it. I noticed it on Saturday while on the railtour but now I can actually photograph it. I’m most content with this detour which has cost a mere 30 minutes. We’re soon back on the Mittraphap Highway 2 heading east.......more.
Pha Sadet........Google Map Pha Sadet is a railway station on the main railway line heading to the northeastern provinces. Again it’s close to the highway so not a great deal of time need be lost. The attraction of this particular station derives from its history. Nearby is the cliff where King Rama V and the Queen visited when the Bangkok – Nakhon Ratchasima railway was constructed in 1895. Both of them inscribed their royal initials here, Cho Pho Ro and So Pho. The cliff has become a particular tourist attraction as a huge stone block was left overhanging the line. Besides that the station is in a unique location. It lies in a wooded valley in the foothills that link the Chao Phraya River Basin to the Korat Plateau to the east. This small station is aesthetically pleasing and is a popular attraction. However it’s less pleasing to the operator. You can see the gradient here immediately. It’s a nightmare for freight traffic. An example of the difficulty occurred only recently in September when a freight train derailed causing massive disruption and delay.......more.
I could have stayed longer in this peaceful location and would have loved to see a train passing through particularly eastbound towards the plateau but we need to move on to make some distance before dark.
Natural Barriers........From Pha Sadet we return to the highway then head north through Muak Lek. It soon becomes clear that this is not the most straightforward route to reach our next destination and with Katoon still driving I concentrate on Google Map as the local highways skirt the natural barriers that remind one of the Ardennes in Belgium. In the main the roads are well laid with only light traffic and despite the numerous junctions I direct Katoon out of Saraburi province, briefly into Lopburi province keeping the Pa Sak reservoir to the west and finally up onto the plateau and into Chaiyaphum province.
Thep Sathit........Thep Sathit is a district in Chaiyaphum province that borders Lopburi province to the west and Nakhon Ratchasima province in the east. The reason we’ve made it here is that it’s full of natural wonders and a welcome break from the fierce heat of Bangkok. It is but a stepping stone to our travels further north, being one of Chaiyaphum’s southern districts and one of the most scenic. As we reach Thep Sathip town, we immediately look for accommodation. With past difficulties still in mind I’m hoping this will be more straightforward and it is.......more.
Pongpob Resort........Google Map Turning left at the main junction in the town onto the 2354 we find a resort that looks pleasing enough, just a few hundred metres on the left. In fact the rooms tick all the boxes including price, just 700 baht. We settle up in no time and head back for dinner consisting of hot pot (traditional jim jum) and rice washed down with a beer. We also manage to shop for tomorrow’s breakfast; something we’re used to and can prepare in the room: And that will do very nicely for today. Considering the late start we had no difficulty in making it here and had a most scenic and enjoyable journey to boot.