Sunday, 4th February
Particular Interests....... Since I created this website in 2011 the focus for most of the time has been to reach as many of Thailand's regions and provinces as possible. The work done so far has left just three of Thailand 77 provinces left to visit. As a result of my travels I have developed particular interests the most obvious being my compassion for visiting ancient sites. While of course the list of these sites will never be entirely complete, there are limited options now left. However, there are a couple of interests which will never die and these have featured more prominently since Covid. As I look forward to continuing my travels these two interests are starting to dictate the agenda while I continue to add to my impressive Library of general attractions around Thailand.
The most important interest is one that feeds my YouTube channel. I have effectively being trainspotting the entire time collecting and cataloging locomotive details. However when I created a YouTube channel I was surprised by the amount of interest it generated and since April 2023 I have been publishing railway videos during my visits to Thailand. The second interest is no stranger either but has developed significantly too. There are currently 16 teams in Thailand football Premier League and there are just a couple of stadiums left to visit but limiting myself these, is not going to stop me going to football games. The situation after nearly two weeks in Thailand is that I Still haven't stayed overnight anywhere but with the resumption of the TPL schedule that's going to change within days. While this is just around the corner, today I've planned yet another day trip to take in one of my interests but first there is something completely different to aim for.
After some deliberation we head out for lunch and then continue north into Pathum Thani Province once again. This province although right on my doorstep has never been fully explored but there are some important tourist attractions of national significance in the province and I'm heading for one of them.
Golden Jubilee National Geological Museum....... The museum website states: The Golden Jubilee National Geological Museum is an establishment to store and display the country’s referencing samples (only important articles) and display exhibitions to publicise knowledge on geology, mining, groundwater, petroleum, and history of the earth. The museum also serves as the centre to coordinate and connect with other research centers or museums operating under the department of mineral resources. The main objectives of the museum are as follows:
1) To celebrate and honor King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the occasion of 50 years reign on 9 June 1996.
2) To serve as the centre for management of the nation’s paleontological sites, including to serve as a center for researching and distributing knowledge on geology and fossils.
3) To conserve reference data and important geological samples as well as globally rare fossils.
4) To operate as a national museum for geology and fossils and serve as a knowledge and educational hub for geology and fossils.
5) To serve as a place where Thai people can research and learn about geology which has an important role in human survival, as well as plan the utilization of land and other geological resources.
The museum at Klong 5, Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani It's about 14 minutes from the residence but could take well over an hour from central Bangkok and quite difficult to reach without independent transport. Accordingly, when we arrive at the complex seems deserted. The museum building itself is impressive of modern design and on multiple levels. It is the most important centre in the country for geological research. I register my arrival, pay the 100 baht foreigner rate (30 baht for Thais) and begin to explore the different sections of the museum. With everything translated into English this good news and outlines all aspects relating to geology from The formation of galaxies and our own solar system through the development of Life on Earth through the different epochs. The dinosaur fossils are particularly impressive but it says in the description this museum covers multiple aspects related to geology. Understandably, investigating the various halls takes time. I manage to use up two hours, a big chunk of the afternoon and I suggest that even three hours wouldn't be too much. It's a pity the museum is not so easy to reach but for me it's well worth the 10 baht and the effort it's taken to get here. It's nice for a change just to have one thing to concentrate on and have the luxury of being in an air-conditioned environment on a hot day.
Rangsit Railway Station....... We depart the museum at around 4:00 pm and head west with intentions to add one of my particular interests in Thailand. A half hour later we arrived at Rangsit Railway Station hoping for activity in late afternoon. I'm not disappointed with three services arriving and departing in less than an hour. As mentioned before I'm a glutton for making videos for my YouTube channel.
We now have to negotiate the busy evening traffic and find something for dinner. Tomorrow we will depart on one of those longer trips I promised myself so my attention will need to focus on that. Hopefully there will be more trains more football games and a host of other attractions to visit.
Particular Interests....... Since I created this website in 2011 the focus for most of the time has been to reach as many of Thailand's regions and provinces as possible. The work done so far has left just three of Thailand 77 provinces left to visit. As a result of my travels I have developed particular interests the most obvious being my compassion for visiting ancient sites. While of course the list of these sites will never be entirely complete, there are limited options now left. However, there are a couple of interests which will never die and these have featured more prominently since Covid. As I look forward to continuing my travels these two interests are starting to dictate the agenda while I continue to add to my impressive Library of general attractions around Thailand.
The most important interest is one that feeds my YouTube channel. I have effectively being trainspotting the entire time collecting and cataloging locomotive details. However when I created a YouTube channel I was surprised by the amount of interest it generated and since April 2023 I have been publishing railway videos during my visits to Thailand. The second interest is no stranger either but has developed significantly too. There are currently 16 teams in Thailand football Premier League and there are just a couple of stadiums left to visit but limiting myself these, is not going to stop me going to football games. The situation after nearly two weeks in Thailand is that I Still haven't stayed overnight anywhere but with the resumption of the TPL schedule that's going to change within days. While this is just around the corner, today I've planned yet another day trip to take in one of my interests but first there is something completely different to aim for.
After some deliberation we head out for lunch and then continue north into Pathum Thani Province once again. This province although right on my doorstep has never been fully explored but there are some important tourist attractions of national significance in the province and I'm heading for one of them.
Golden Jubilee National Geological Museum....... The museum website states: The Golden Jubilee National Geological Museum is an establishment to store and display the country’s referencing samples (only important articles) and display exhibitions to publicise knowledge on geology, mining, groundwater, petroleum, and history of the earth. The museum also serves as the centre to coordinate and connect with other research centers or museums operating under the department of mineral resources. The main objectives of the museum are as follows:
1) To celebrate and honor King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the occasion of 50 years reign on 9 June 1996.
2) To serve as the centre for management of the nation’s paleontological sites, including to serve as a center for researching and distributing knowledge on geology and fossils.
3) To conserve reference data and important geological samples as well as globally rare fossils.
4) To operate as a national museum for geology and fossils and serve as a knowledge and educational hub for geology and fossils.
5) To serve as a place where Thai people can research and learn about geology which has an important role in human survival, as well as plan the utilization of land and other geological resources.
The museum at Klong 5, Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani It's about 14 minutes from the residence but could take well over an hour from central Bangkok and quite difficult to reach without independent transport. Accordingly, when we arrive at the complex seems deserted. The museum building itself is impressive of modern design and on multiple levels. It is the most important centre in the country for geological research. I register my arrival, pay the 100 baht foreigner rate (30 baht for Thais) and begin to explore the different sections of the museum. With everything translated into English this good news and outlines all aspects relating to geology from The formation of galaxies and our own solar system through the development of Life on Earth through the different epochs. The dinosaur fossils are particularly impressive but it says in the description this museum covers multiple aspects related to geology. Understandably, investigating the various halls takes time. I manage to use up two hours, a big chunk of the afternoon and I suggest that even three hours wouldn't be too much. It's a pity the museum is not so easy to reach but for me it's well worth the 10 baht and the effort it's taken to get here. It's nice for a change just to have one thing to concentrate on and have the luxury of being in an air-conditioned environment on a hot day.
Rangsit Railway Station....... We depart the museum at around 4:00 pm and head west with intentions to add one of my particular interests in Thailand. A half hour later we arrived at Rangsit Railway Station hoping for activity in late afternoon. I'm not disappointed with three services arriving and departing in less than an hour. As mentioned before I'm a glutton for making videos for my YouTube channel.
We now have to negotiate the busy evening traffic and find something for dinner. Tomorrow we will depart on one of those longer trips I promised myself so my attention will need to focus on that. Hopefully there will be more trains more football games and a host of other attractions to visit.
Pathum Thani Province
Golden Jubilee National Geological Museum,
Khlong Ha, Khlong Luang District
Rangsit Railway Station, Prachathipat, Thanyaburi District