Day 15, Wednesday 26 February
Songkhla Departure…….. A prompt departure from Songkhla province is now mandatory. We must make progress today while keeping in mind there could be opportunities for further site visits on the way and it doesn’t take long for that to happen. Just half a hour’s drive away there is another hillside temple although one of real importance.
Wat Pha Kho…….. The coastal Sathing Phra district in Songkhla province of Thailand’s deep south is well off the beaten path, and home to a number of beautiful and interesting treasures. Wat Pha Kho (or Wat Ratchapraditsathan) is one such treasure; not only because of the beautiful views, statues, architecture and serenity of the grounds themselves – as they are today – but also because of the amazing legend that surrounds the temple.
Somdet Pha Kho is the most revered of the high monks of the south, and not for no reason. The legend says that a band of pirates passing close to the shore one day saw the monk walking along the hillside in his unusual manner and thought they would test him.
They kidnapped the monk and took him to their ship and began to sail away. But the wind went out of their sails and the boat refused to move. They were forced to anchor there for many days until their fresh water had run out.
Somdet Pha Kho took pity on the foolish scallywags and set his left foot out into the salty water, and it all turned into clean, drinkable freshwater. The pirates were amazed and grateful, immediately returning his reverence to the shore. From that day forward the pirates as well as the people in the area all paid homage to the monk. source. This story in a slightly different form can be found in the main hall of the temple.
Talay Noi…….. Heading further north we reach Ranot district in Songkhla province. This was the only location in Songkhla province previously reached on an earlier tour. Further east is another point of interest we experienced then. Moving back into Phatthalung province we reach Talay Noi which carries on the bird watching experience from our recent visit but while I’ve covered it in a previous tour, it’s still worth mentioning the Ekachai Bridge, Chalerm Phra Kiat Phattalung.
This bridge is the 80th Anniversary Road. Local people call Baan Saikling - Baan Hua Pa. The first crossing was a dirt road, which had to be closed frequently during floods. The province wanted to rebuilt it. During that time, Ekichai Srivichai came to open his concert for donoting funds to rebuild this bridge. Therefore, the bridge is called Ekachai Bridge. This bridge connects between Khuan Khanun district of Phatthalung and Ranod district of Songkhla. This bridge became the longest bridge in Thailand, replacing Tinsulanonda bridge in Songkhla province. source.
To all intents and purposes this ends the proceedings for the day as we head for Highway 41 (AH2) for the long journey north. If we can make Chaiya in Surat Thani province all should be good to go now. However, we’ve hardly left Phatthalung province before we stop for lunch and another issue arises. Up until now, I’ve been hoping for the best but expecting the worst but a growing pain in the big toe region of my left foot means only one thing. Gout has returned. Missing an opportunity to get treatment in Ranot, I find the next convenient town heading north is at Wieng Sa in Surat Thani province. It’s not a minute to late as I check in with registration and diagnostics at the Crown Prince Hospital. Although it’s only around 3pm, there is a small window of opportunity to see a doctor in the general clinic which closes at 4pm. Nevertheless, there is not much of a queue and there seems plenty of time. Unfortunately, I really need a blood test and that will not come back until after surgery. It’s unfortunate but necessary. The results will now have to be transferred to the emergency clinic which doesn’t open until 5pm. At this point I can barely walk or stand, the pain is that severe. Then at least I’m more or less first in the queue to get treatment. This consists of an injection then after procuring oral medicine, I’m free to go. At 5.30pm the journey resumes.
The Lephant Hotel…….. As we make our way north, there’s no way now we can reach Chaiya but staying on the 41 (AH2) we will be able to find suitable accommodation I’m sure. Using GPS we arrive at The Lephant Hotel in Phunphun district of Surat Thani province which is set back behind a filling station. Katoon is initially not sure but it proves ideal under the circumstances since we, or rather Katoon in this instance can just pop outside to buy food. It’s all I can do to rest up in comfortable conditions for a change and hope to get a good night’s sleep in a modern hotel. Although I now have an internet connection back, I’m reluctant to work on my blog. Let’s do the sensible thing for a change.
Next Page.
Songkhla Departure…….. A prompt departure from Songkhla province is now mandatory. We must make progress today while keeping in mind there could be opportunities for further site visits on the way and it doesn’t take long for that to happen. Just half a hour’s drive away there is another hillside temple although one of real importance.
Wat Pha Kho…….. The coastal Sathing Phra district in Songkhla province of Thailand’s deep south is well off the beaten path, and home to a number of beautiful and interesting treasures. Wat Pha Kho (or Wat Ratchapraditsathan) is one such treasure; not only because of the beautiful views, statues, architecture and serenity of the grounds themselves – as they are today – but also because of the amazing legend that surrounds the temple.
Somdet Pha Kho is the most revered of the high monks of the south, and not for no reason. The legend says that a band of pirates passing close to the shore one day saw the monk walking along the hillside in his unusual manner and thought they would test him.
They kidnapped the monk and took him to their ship and began to sail away. But the wind went out of their sails and the boat refused to move. They were forced to anchor there for many days until their fresh water had run out.
Somdet Pha Kho took pity on the foolish scallywags and set his left foot out into the salty water, and it all turned into clean, drinkable freshwater. The pirates were amazed and grateful, immediately returning his reverence to the shore. From that day forward the pirates as well as the people in the area all paid homage to the monk. source. This story in a slightly different form can be found in the main hall of the temple.
Talay Noi…….. Heading further north we reach Ranot district in Songkhla province. This was the only location in Songkhla province previously reached on an earlier tour. Further east is another point of interest we experienced then. Moving back into Phatthalung province we reach Talay Noi which carries on the bird watching experience from our recent visit but while I’ve covered it in a previous tour, it’s still worth mentioning the Ekachai Bridge, Chalerm Phra Kiat Phattalung.
This bridge is the 80th Anniversary Road. Local people call Baan Saikling - Baan Hua Pa. The first crossing was a dirt road, which had to be closed frequently during floods. The province wanted to rebuilt it. During that time, Ekichai Srivichai came to open his concert for donoting funds to rebuild this bridge. Therefore, the bridge is called Ekachai Bridge. This bridge connects between Khuan Khanun district of Phatthalung and Ranod district of Songkhla. This bridge became the longest bridge in Thailand, replacing Tinsulanonda bridge in Songkhla province. source.
To all intents and purposes this ends the proceedings for the day as we head for Highway 41 (AH2) for the long journey north. If we can make Chaiya in Surat Thani province all should be good to go now. However, we’ve hardly left Phatthalung province before we stop for lunch and another issue arises. Up until now, I’ve been hoping for the best but expecting the worst but a growing pain in the big toe region of my left foot means only one thing. Gout has returned. Missing an opportunity to get treatment in Ranot, I find the next convenient town heading north is at Wieng Sa in Surat Thani province. It’s not a minute to late as I check in with registration and diagnostics at the Crown Prince Hospital. Although it’s only around 3pm, there is a small window of opportunity to see a doctor in the general clinic which closes at 4pm. Nevertheless, there is not much of a queue and there seems plenty of time. Unfortunately, I really need a blood test and that will not come back until after surgery. It’s unfortunate but necessary. The results will now have to be transferred to the emergency clinic which doesn’t open until 5pm. At this point I can barely walk or stand, the pain is that severe. Then at least I’m more or less first in the queue to get treatment. This consists of an injection then after procuring oral medicine, I’m free to go. At 5.30pm the journey resumes.
The Lephant Hotel…….. As we make our way north, there’s no way now we can reach Chaiya but staying on the 41 (AH2) we will be able to find suitable accommodation I’m sure. Using GPS we arrive at The Lephant Hotel in Phunphun district of Surat Thani province which is set back behind a filling station. Katoon is initially not sure but it proves ideal under the circumstances since we, or rather Katoon in this instance can just pop outside to buy food. It’s all I can do to rest up in comfortable conditions for a change and hope to get a good night’s sleep in a modern hotel. Although I now have an internet connection back, I’m reluctant to work on my blog. Let’s do the sensible thing for a change.
Next Page.
