Day 6 - Friday 3 May

Disconnected…….. The accommodation at Tara Hill Resort is comfortable enough but the lack of a strong wifi signal here has had an unfortunate effect when I could have based myself here for a couple of nights. Instead I have to up sticks with the work from yesterday unfinished, the situation complicated by the heavy day we had yesterday. Still we are packed and ready before 10am. To get back on track, the first chore is to purchase more mobile data from a Dtac shop in the city. The first site visit today is some 10 minutes south of Uthai Thani and it’s a most important one.
Wat Chantaram (Wat Tha Sung)…….. Guided by Katoon who has visited the temple of Wat Tha Sung before, I find myself in a rather confusing temple complex which due to recent additions has left even Katoon disorientated. I suggest that if you need to visit this temple and would like to learn more then you need a guide since typically there is no signage in English. As we finally arrive in the main hall, my best attempt to describe it could not do it justice. I would simply say it is a ‘room full of mirrors’, about the size of a football pitch. In fact every wall, ceiling and pillar is made of glass. If it weren’t for a red carpet you would feel like floating in space.
Online sources state that Wat Chantaram dates back to Thailand’s Ayutthaya period (1351 to 1767), nicknamed the ‘Diamond Temple’. Once a busy place of worship, the temple was abandoned following the fall of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. However, in 1789 a monk called Luang Pho Yai took care of the temple and oversaw renovations and expansions. Subsequent years saw further improvements helping to create a dazzling sight in rural Thailand. According to ancient Thai beliefs, glass and other reflective surfaces help to repel evil spirits, and this is likely the reason for the heavy use of glass and mirrors at Wat Chantaram. Despite the origins of this temple most of the buildings are of more recent construction with only the ubosot close to the river suggesting its age. To help with the identification of the contemporary sites the following list may help.
1) Maha Viharn Kaew or Gow (the Glass Temple 1996-98)
2) The Golden Convocation Hall (Prasat Thong Kam -1996)
3) Mondrop of Phra Sri Araya Maetrai
4) Mondrop Somdej Aong Pa Thom
5) Luang Pho Ngeun Lai Ma Buddha Image (The Wealthy Buddha)
6) Phra Chulamanee

Wihan Luang Pho Saksit…….. Wihan Luang Pho Saksit is located opposite Wat Tha Sung on the Sakae Krang River bank. The temple's history goes back to the kings of Ayutthaya.

Wat Uposatharam…….. Wat Uposatharam lies on the eastern bank of the Sakae Krang River opposite downtown Uthai Thani in a contrasting rural setting. Totally the opposite of Wat Chantaram this temple is small dominated by two halls of worship which from the style of the mural paintings, dates from the reign of Rama V. At least at this site, the true nature of the Sakae Krang River can be appreciated. The obvious reason that city development exists only on the west bank can be explained by the lack of a road bridge in the city itself.

Moom Sakae Coffee Shop…….. As it’s time for lunch and we find ourselves on the wrong side of the river, there is fortunately a way of crossing over and its via a footbridge which is also suitable for motorcycles. At the far end of the bridge is Moom Sakae Coffee Shop. As it’s air conditioned we make a b-line for it if only to escape the fierce heat. Although the menu is somewhat limited, what is available is most welcome indeed.

Park in Commemoration of HM the King…….. This commemoration park is situated on the northern bank of a large lake sandwiched between the Sakae Krang and Chao Phraya rivers. In the intense heat of the day this park is deserted but under suitable conditions especially in the evenings this is a peaceful place to just picnic or perhaps take some exercise.

Accommodation hunting…….. With no need to travel far from the city today it’s necessary to re-establish a base here after our premature departure from Tara Hills Resort. Near our present location there are a few options but enquiries reveal that these are double the price here near the river as opposed to ones around the city. After deliberation Katoon suggests the one she noted yesterday on highway 333 west of the city.
C2U Hotel…….. C2U is modern and reasonably priced but it is a ten minute drive from the city. This won’t be a problem since we plan to return to the city later after a break. That break is sorely needed with the chance to retreat into a comfortable air-conditioned room away from the searing heat.

Wat Sangkat Rattana Khiri…….. Leaving the comfort of C2U Hotel at about 4.30pm we set the GPS to reach Wat Sangkat Rattanana Khiri and find ourselves at the base of Khao Sakae Krang Hill at the end of Tha Chang Road in Tambon Nam Sum. Inside the main hall is Phra Buddha Mongkhon Sai Sit, also called Luang Pho Mongkhon, an ancient bronze Buddha image from the Sukhothai period in the Man Wichai posture. It is 1.5 meters wide and was made in the reign of King Lithai. A stairway leads to the top of Khao Sakae Krang totaling 449 steps. At the peak is a pavilion with a multi-tiered roof, housing a replica of Lord Buddha’s footprint and a large bronze bell built in the reign of King Rama V. It is said that this is a sacred bell, and visitors to the province who have not rung the bell have not truly seen the province. In another corner of the temple is the statue of the father of King Rama I, the founder of the Chakri Dynasty, who was born in Ban Sakae Krang. To get there, from the city, take Road No. 3220 and turn left near the provincial stadium leading up the mountain. The distance is around 4 kilometers. The temple is open from 8.00 am-5.00 pm daily.

World Pin (2nd in Asia)…….. With the temperature officially now recorded as 41 Celsius it’s fortunate to be able to reach the pavilion by road. It would be out of the question for me to use the staircase. Taking in the pavillion and the Rama I statue, Katoon has located another feature that she says is of historic importance but requires a trek into the forest along the spine of the hill. Although not especially strenuous, the 500 metre trek is still uncomfortable for me, causing me to question the need to make the effort. When we arrive at the summit there is nothing here or so it seems but a simple pedestal supports something familiar. When I locate it via GPS it’s described as ‘World Pin (2nd in Asia)’. It is in fact what we call a trig point used in the triangular surveying of contours. Clearly this is one the the first in Asia so has historical significance. It’s time to head back as dusk is not far away.
In the city we order street food to take back to the room where I’m still trying to catch up with my work. Next Page.