Conclusion
Success.......The first major tour for two and a half years has ended. The objective, as with all my other tours was to record as many interesting sites as possible that I can later include on my UnseeninThailand website. During 16 fascinating days I managed to collect another vast hoard of information that will take ages to process later. After 12 years of traveling in Thailand I am amazed to keep finding interesting places and learn new things even though I have to travel further afield sometimes; in this case to a few of Thailand's provinces that reach beyond the destinations normally visited by foreigners. Of particular interest to me were the two provinces of Trang and Satun which I only ever passed through before but never stopped over, to find hidden gems that these provinces undoubtedly have. Attractions in other provinces were recorded too, in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Phetchaburi and Samut Sakhon making this a most epic tour indeed.
To judge the success of a tour I first need to record any incidents or difficulties but thankfully there were none on this trip apart from fighting the weather; storms being a particular nuisance at this time in the South. In terms of distance covered this was epic. We cover a total of 3750 kilometres or 2330 miles. Understandably there was little time to rest and I found myself on so many occasions unable to take everything in that I witnessed. Cost wise of course running a trip like this is not cheap but at least we have our own transport and it's quite remarkable sometimes to understand quite how relatively small my budget is. 23,340 baht averaging less than 1500 baht per day it's still remarkable. This includes fuel, a large part of the budget as well as accommodation food and site visit fees. Given the distances involved, spend on fuel was over budget but accommodation was under my estimated 800 baht per day. Food was also over budget but I have to say we took full advantage of the amazing seafood dishes available here in the South. By and large though food has become more expensive since I last visited Thailand.
Postscript
Game On.......Returning back in Bangkok on the Saturday we had an opportunity immediately the day after to attend another Thai league football game to add to one I attended in Prachuap Khiri Khan and one earlier in Chonburi. On Sunday evening Bangkok United we're playing BG Pathum United at the True Thammasat University Stadium in the Thammasat University complex in Pathum Thani. This all-seater stadium is one of the best in Thailand and an amazing place to visit.
As for the game itself we witness a strongly contested match but eventually into the second-half the class of the home team began to tell with Brazilian Luis Vander opening the scoring in the 68th minute with another foreigner Palestinian Mahmood Eid making it safe for the home team with strike in the 88th minute. The win for Bangkok United leaves them 2nd in the premier league table with BG Pathum United down to 7th.
Unfortunate.......As I return to the residence there is a problem. What I believe is gout returns with a vengeance causing me to go back onto medication. I wonder whether this is unfortunate or fortunate that it's happened at this time. We have a few days rest now before the next long trip begins and now this could be really interesting because we are leaving Thailand for Bali in four days' time.
Success.......The first major tour for two and a half years has ended. The objective, as with all my other tours was to record as many interesting sites as possible that I can later include on my UnseeninThailand website. During 16 fascinating days I managed to collect another vast hoard of information that will take ages to process later. After 12 years of traveling in Thailand I am amazed to keep finding interesting places and learn new things even though I have to travel further afield sometimes; in this case to a few of Thailand's provinces that reach beyond the destinations normally visited by foreigners. Of particular interest to me were the two provinces of Trang and Satun which I only ever passed through before but never stopped over, to find hidden gems that these provinces undoubtedly have. Attractions in other provinces were recorded too, in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Phetchaburi and Samut Sakhon making this a most epic tour indeed.
To judge the success of a tour I first need to record any incidents or difficulties but thankfully there were none on this trip apart from fighting the weather; storms being a particular nuisance at this time in the South. In terms of distance covered this was epic. We cover a total of 3750 kilometres or 2330 miles. Understandably there was little time to rest and I found myself on so many occasions unable to take everything in that I witnessed. Cost wise of course running a trip like this is not cheap but at least we have our own transport and it's quite remarkable sometimes to understand quite how relatively small my budget is. 23,340 baht averaging less than 1500 baht per day it's still remarkable. This includes fuel, a large part of the budget as well as accommodation food and site visit fees. Given the distances involved, spend on fuel was over budget but accommodation was under my estimated 800 baht per day. Food was also over budget but I have to say we took full advantage of the amazing seafood dishes available here in the South. By and large though food has become more expensive since I last visited Thailand.
Postscript
Game On.......Returning back in Bangkok on the Saturday we had an opportunity immediately the day after to attend another Thai league football game to add to one I attended in Prachuap Khiri Khan and one earlier in Chonburi. On Sunday evening Bangkok United we're playing BG Pathum United at the True Thammasat University Stadium in the Thammasat University complex in Pathum Thani. This all-seater stadium is one of the best in Thailand and an amazing place to visit.
As for the game itself we witness a strongly contested match but eventually into the second-half the class of the home team began to tell with Brazilian Luis Vander opening the scoring in the 68th minute with another foreigner Palestinian Mahmood Eid making it safe for the home team with strike in the 88th minute. The win for Bangkok United leaves them 2nd in the premier league table with BG Pathum United down to 7th.
Unfortunate.......As I return to the residence there is a problem. What I believe is gout returns with a vengeance causing me to go back onto medication. I wonder whether this is unfortunate or fortunate that it's happened at this time. We have a few days rest now before the next long trip begins and now this could be really interesting because we are leaving Thailand for Bali in four days' time.
Khao Ta Mong Lai Forest Park,
Ao Noi, Mueang District,
Prachuap Khiri Khan Province
Khao Khanab Nam Boat tour (Cave),Mueang Krabi District, Krabi Province
Ban Nam Lat, Bang Sak,
Kantang District, Trang Province
Langurs in Tammalang Urban Forest,
Tammalang, Mueang District,
Satun Province
Noen Teawada Viewpoint,
Ao Khanom, Khanom District,
Nakhon Si Thammarat Province
Laem Pho, Phum Riang, Chaiya District
Wat Yai Chom Phrasat,
Tha Chin, Mueang District