Day 2, Monday 19 November

Baanchomkhao…….. Baanchomkhao is located in a maze of side streets and alleys south of the main road 2422 leading into the centre of Pak Chong. The recent build apartment block on the right of the alley consists of two floors and has functional rooms without décor. These are budget rooms starting from 700 baht. Across the alley they have bungalows from 1,000 baht.
With my blog written up last night there is only final editing and uploading of photos to complete then off to see what breakfast included means. At the check-in point they have provided hot coffee with toast and jam with pot noodles if required. With something left over from yesterday this is more than sufficient and sets us up nicely for the day. At the point of setting out, the plan seems to be that we spend the morning with site visits while the afternoon is reserved for the preparation of something a bit special later. OK let’s see what we can get done in the next three hours or so.

Wat Khao Wanchai Nawaratana…….. Wat Khao Wanchai Nawaratana is a new temple, parts of which are still receiving the final touches. From Baanchomkhao the temple can be seen on a small hill to the south of Pak Chong. It takes less than 10 minutes to reach it. At the summit, we find the Phra Ubosot (ordination hall) located within an artificial pond with fountains. This building and monks’ residences nearby have yet to be occupied with final works still in progress. Ever interested in the historical rather than the religious significance of Thai temples, there is nothing here for me but instead here is a masterpiece of architectural design and construction. From a distance, the building looks like it’s made of wood, in northern style teakwood paneling. But this structure is built from steel with sandstone panels and moldings of high quality with even the graining giving a teakwood appearance which cannot fail to impress. At a lower level is the viharn and monks’ quarters in similar style, these now under occupation. Within the viharn one is amazed to find that the whole project is inspired by a foreigner of western origin, now a prominent monk in Thailand. If none of this persuades you to visit this temple than there are magnificent views of the city and across to Khao Yai National Park to greet you.

Bonanza Exotic Zoo…….. Pak Chong has rightly been described as the gateway to the Isan Region of Thailand known as the Korat Plateau. The mountains to the south form the Sankamphaeng Range in which Khao Yai National Park is located while the escarpment of the Dong Phaya Yen Range wraps around the western edge with road and rail links funneling through it. Inevitably natural attractions dominate the area, especially around the foothills of Khao Yai. Here the cooler air attracts visitors in huge numbers particularly from Bangkok just 3 hours away. Some of these natural attractions I intend to feature as we explore the district. Heading south we head for the Bonanza Exotic Zoo. Set within rolling hills close to the park, this zoo offers the space to allow wild animals, birds and reptiles to be seen in more natural surroundings. At the park entrance, there is a fee of 100 baht and transport within the zoo of an additional 50 baht. Deciding to take the easier option we pass the numerous compounds seemingly too quickly to take it all in. A number of familiar exotic species are represented from around the world, particularly from Africa, South America, Asia and Australia with the opportunity to feed some of them including the giraffes. While I would say there are obvious gaps, this zoo fulfills its function as an attraction for families and the casual visitor.
While our visit seems brief I would recommend around 2 hours on foot to appreciate this attraction.

Khao Yai Panorama Resort…….. Khao Yai Panorama Resort is located on the main road leading to the entrance of Khao Yai National Park. It functions not only as a resort but has a coffee shop and vegetarian restaurant but with a difference. The climate here is right to grow exotic types of mushroom and this is just one of a number of producers in southern Nakhon Ratchisima Province (see my blog for Wang Nam Chieo). A small shop sells a variety of products derived from mushroom production. For those wishing to visit the production facility there is a fee of 40 baht. You need to purchase a ticket at reception and join a group for a tour.

Following this visit it’s time for lunch but there is no sign yet of our return to Pak Chong. In fact, after lunch at a roadside restaurant, Katoon is temple hunting again. Searching Google Map of the area there’s no sign of the temple but based on verbal directions Katoon heads east. Still with no idea of where we’re going I pick up signs to Ban Tha Chang Spring.
Ban Tha Chang Spring…….. Ban Tha Chang Spring is a point where after disappearing underground a water source reemerges at the surface creating a pool seemingly from nowhere. The proof is the crystal clear water the result of filtration through the bedrock. Tha Chang Spring attracts many visitors, eager to swim in the clear water of the pool formed by the spring. Access to the pool is free although parking nearby will cost 20 baht. Bringing swimwear is practically essential to enjoy this attraction although the banks are quite suitable for picnicking.
With Katoon persisting with enquiries regarding the illusive temple, I endeavor to do a Google Map search hoping that the name she gives me verbally secures a match. Success! But it’s nowhere near our present location, situated some 25 km to the east. With Katoon’s resolve unwavering I just know this is turning into a full-day tour. Yet it’s still early afternoon and the temple is less than half an hour away.

Wat Pa Phu Hai Long…….. Wat Pa Phu Hai Long is located on one of the higher hills in the northern foothills of the Sankamphaeng Range. It can be seen from some distance away. Arriving near the summit there are clear signs that this is another new build. A resident monk is anxious to advertise its presence explaining that I should take a selfie and check-in on Facebook. From the parking area, the viharn (prayer hall) is located to the left then behind that is a long naga (snakehead) staircase leading up to the ubosot (ordination hall) at the top. The staircase was constructed at a cost of some 2.5 million baht out of public subscription. The body of the naga, covered in ceramic tiles specially made to look like scales, is impressive. To reach the ubosot requires negotiating well over 100 steps, a bit of a struggle for me now on a warm day. Nevertheless the effort is worth it for the panoramic views looking back to Pak Chong and to the Sankamphaeng Range in the opposite direction, while the coloured tiles of the ‘bot’ gleam in the sunshine.

Disagreement…….. Feeling we’ve done much more than was anticipated today, I reset the GPS to the quickest route back to Pak Chong but Katoon insists on going back the way we came. I should have realised the tour for today isn’t over yet. With the afternoon now dragging on, I seem to have nodded off only to awaken at the gate to the national park. What on earth are we doing here? It’s too late to enter the park and for me would cost 400 baht.
Chao Por Khao Yai Shrine……..Katoon proceeds to the check-point, utters a few words and gets the nod to pass through the gate. A little further on the right-hand side of the road she parks up. Here at the roadside is the Chao Por Khao Yai Shrine. Visitors to Khao Yai and passers-by usually stop to pay their respects to Chao Por and for good luck and blessings. Even those just passing by pay their respects by just blowing their car horns. The shrine was built in 1962.

Finally, we arrive back at Baanchomkhao where I’m dead to the world but just after 6pm I’m working on my blog again but not for long.
Celebration……..By 7pm we’re off to collect Katoon’s sister from work to make preparations for a special event later. It’s Katoon’s nephew’s birthday and dinner is being prepared. That consists mainly of seafood but prepared Japanese style. When the compliment is complete at 8pm the meal can begin. Having brought from the UK, a number of items suitable for occasions such as this, the selected item, a bottle of Champagne goes down quite well. Being a normal working day for the family, the party cannot last indefinitely and we return to Baanchomkhao just after 10pm. Despite the interruption though, I’ve managed to complete half of my blog for the day, clearly consisting of much more than I anticipated. Tomorrow will be different again but as yet I’ve no idea how that will play out. Next Page.