Day 16, 24th February - Bangkok

Difference of Opinion....... Fortunately despite festivities, I slept well at the Viewpoint Hotel after recovery from my recently illness. There is no breakfast this morning to look forward to, and we only have one pot noodle between us. I get to call on that as otherwise there's only coffee. However, Katoon doesn't seem that concerned. We can soon be on the road today and pick up something on the way. On departing Viewpoint Hotel there is the difference of opinion as to where we head next, neither opinion leading to our immediate departure from Phitsanulok. Katoon gets the call as what she has in mind is hardly more than a kilometre away. As we arrive the choice becomes clear as we arrive at another temple.
Wat Chan Tawan Tok....... Wat Chan Tawan Tok is impressive to say the least with its great hall supporting golden spires and other ornaments. It's hard to believe I've missed this temple in the past but it soon becomes clear that this is a new build. Quite how much of it would have existed on my last visit I'm not sure as now they are adding finishing touches. It's sure to become a major attraction and in fact it already is because of the crowds gathered here making it really difficult to find a parking space. During our visit the abbot is conducting a ceremony which is one of the reasons for the large gathering. It takes a while to understand the purpose but things become clearer as I see new golden ornaments ready to be lifted up onto the temple roof. These ornaments known as 'chofah' are several feet long and require a crane to lift them. Today is the first day of a three-day religious holiday known as Magha Puja, a quite appropriate day to make precious additions to this amazing great hall. With construction workers already on the roof we wait around for the blessings to conclude, so they can begin the lift.
At this point I'm sure Katoon had this in mind when she skipped breakfast for while marshals are conspicuously absent from directing traffic, organization of food and drink to sustain the large crowd is quite streamlined. Those familiar with Thailand will know that bringing food to a religious event is a way of making merit (tambon) but forgetting the religious context, it is a cheap and efficient way of distribution that not only feeds the monks here but the worshipers as well. Stalls stretch most of the way around the Great Hall. Clearly some though has gone into this to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort. The result is an amazing selection of food and drink from the region and now I know why my dear lady wasn't too concerned about missing breakfast.
With regard to the temple itself I'm finding it hard to find information about it probably because it is so new. Give it another 12 months and I'm sure a lot more information will be available. Now it's my choice about a destination still in the city.
Phitsanulok Railway Station....... This railway station has to feature of course while we're still here and I've been really lucky recently in seeing railway locomotives. When I arrive here there is no scheduled activity that will cause me to wait but there are a number of locomotives that I can record in the station yard. One General Electric engine is on duty while an Hitachi engine can just be seen nearby. Standing alone is a CSR SDA4 privately owned engine while in the shed to the north of the station is an older General Electric engine, a more recent one, an Alsthom AHK and a modern CRRC Qishuyan: Quite a mixed bag.
Bueng Phra Railway Station....... For the second time of asking on this tour I now find myself heading for Bueng Phra Railway Station. The station itself handles only local traffic being just 15 minutes drive south of Phitsanulok. Here there is a major oil depot where crude oil is brought in for refining. When I arrived here earlier I realised the difficulty in seeing locomotives at work shunting oil wagons. Clearly right at the station is not the best place to be; I need to be positioned somewhere on the roadway which runs along the track. Even then, patience is needed as these trains don't work to a passenger schedule. Even so, I see the General Electric I saw earlier in the main station at work but I'm without the option to make a good video. However, I continue to learn and refine what I know about workings on Thailand's state railway.
Staying on Track....... Now it's time to leave Phitsanulok and head south following HWY 117 as far as Nakhon Sawan. I will follow the railway and take what opportunity presents itself. Fortunately I have an app on my phone which tells me the progress of passenger services passing different stations but I'm not always quick to use it. Reaching Nakhon Sawan there is no service due close to my arrival. That would have been confirmed if I had used the app and saved me time. The next station is bound to be different especially later in the afternoon.
Ayutthaya Railway Station....... Ayutthaya Railway Station is a station that leaves no introduction and opening the app this time I see there are three trains due to arrive within 45 minutes of my own arrival and that should do nicely. Of course, this station does handle traffic on both the north and northeastern lines. On arrival, I start to work recording these services, one headed to Nakhon Sawan, one from Den Chai and another from Ubon Ratchathani. It's a great result all round although I am slightly concerned about the delay at Ayutthaya due to straggling passengers. Time is now becoming a factor since I've already set my heart on some entertainment this evening.
We're only an hour from Bangkok now but traffic could easily be an issue. There is one thing in our favour though. All the tollgates in and around Bangkok will be open and free of charge on this religious holiday. As we head for PAT Stadium in Klong Toei, the projected arrival time suggests we will be there just after 6:00 pm. This should give us enough time to park the car, order tickets and find some food before the game starts. Fortunately there is no delay and this process is smooth, and we are in our seats well before kickoff.
Port FC v Trat FC....... Today's game is between Port FC and Trat FC. According to the form book this should be an easy win for Port with Trat struggling near the foot of the table. It's just coincidence that Trat were the visitor two weeks ago when we were in Chiang Rai. They really need something from this game, or they risk relegation. The game kicks off with Trat having good early possession as they did at Chiang Rai but again they fall behind when in the 19th minute Pathompol Charoenrattanapirom races through for a great individual goal despite being sandwiched by two defenders. Port is a high scoring team in this league so could this be the start of a goal spree? Well, actually Trat have a useful defence and midfield and look solid to me and it's not a great surprise that they hold Port at bay. Port on the other hand are wasteful with their efforts and there is no further scoring in this game. Overall I note that Trat's problems are in their attack. Their nos 9 and 10 look like passengers on a train I saw earlier and it's no surprise that they push their star defender up front in the final minutes. Port have a good chance of winning the title this year but Trat I'm afraid are heading to League 2 I feel.
It's now a question of making it back to the residence for our first night there in over two weeks. At 9:30 pm there is time for nothing more today but I have a lot of analysis to do regarding this long duration trip to the north. This is going to have to wait a bit longer though since tomorrow we're heading up to Pak Chong without a break from traveling.
Next Page.