Day 3, Wednesday 3 April, BG Stadium, Pathum Thani
Filling in Time....... For the second day running I need to go out again and for a personal reason but I plan also to make it to a third football game in four days. There should also be time to visit attractions, but we've only a vague idea of where to spend the free time.
A dental appointment at 11.30am dictates the time and place but requires a long trip across town. This is not logical as there is a dentist right on our doorstep but Katoon has been using one in Bang Bua Thong for many years and I welcome joining her here after such poor service in the UK. The appointment is for an extraction but that gets delayed for technical reasons and I end up with a polish which is long overdue anyway and good value too. That done we can take lunch nearby.
This dental appointment is the first of two appointments today but the next won't be until evening and certainly less painful. That leaves a big gap in the day but there's no point in making two trips since the second appointment is more or less on the way back. I had in mind to use the time to visit Ayutthaya but there are other attractions in this area I haven't visited before.
We arrive in Bang Pa-in District and the obvious attraction here is the Bang Pa-in Royal Palace which I must visit sometime but today we are looking for the less than obvious.
Wat Chumphon Nikayaram....... Wat Choompon Nikayaram is a second class royal temple located in Bang Len, Bang Pa-in District. It is adjacent to the palace and to the Chao Praya River so possessing perfect harmony with nature. It is believed that the temple was established in the reign of Prachao Prasat Thong during the Ayutthaya Period in 1632. The area had been used as his mother's residence. The temple which still exists was later restored in the reign of Rama IV and Rama V of Rattanakosin Period. What is interesting in this magnificent monastery are the seven principal Buddha images made of sandstone mixed with stucco which makes them different from those at other temples. Phra Wipassisikee, Wessaphu, Kakusunta, Konakamana, Kasapa, and Kotama with the other four disciples too as well as the rarely seen sculpture of a nun wearing full dress and the Buddha images of Metteyya in full costume are installed in front of the monastery. The remarkable mural paintings depicting the life of seven Buddhas inside the temple however, have lost some of the facing with the passing of time. The temple is a wonderful and rare example of an Ayutthaya temple saved from destruction after the fall of the city in 1767. It could well be that the distance from the city was a determining factor that saved it.
Wat Niwet Thammaprawat Ratchaworawihan....... Nearby is Wat Niwet Thammaprawat Ratchaworawihan, a Buddhist temple of the Dhammayut Order, located within the grounds of the Royal Palace. Founded in 1878, it is remarkable among Thai Buddhist temples in that its architecture mimics that of a European church, being built in the Gothic Revival style. The construction of the temple was commissioned by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1876, to serve as the royal temple for the newly expanded Bang Pa-In Palace. The temple was designed by Joachim Grassi, one of the first Italian architects employed under the king's government. Many public buildings were built in the Western style during Chulalongkorn's reign, a trend reflecting the modernisation of Siam (as Thailand was then known) at the time. Wat Niwet Thammaprawat was built with stained-glass windows and a Gothic altar. Its appearance resembles that of a Christian church, with the temple's main Buddha image in place of a Cross. Construction was completed in 1878.
These two attraction are visited in the fierce heat of a Thailand summer so not ideal, but we needed to fill in the time and have made the most of it here. There remains one more place to visit before we head for our evening's appointment. As mentioned, Ayutthaya itself was the aiming point but only so far as the railway station. Otherwise, this city is hardly new to this website. However, we don't need to go that far to see trains even though Ayutthaya is just 20 km away. Bang Pa-in Railway Station is a perfect substitute. Arriving at this station adds a new station to my visit list and I'm happy to wait 30 minutes for an arriving train. This is a Rapid train from Den Chai to Bangkok. At 4.30 pm we can head for BG Pathum Stadium for an evening's entertainment. Even though the entertainment doesn't start till 7.00 pm there is bound to be traffic issues, and we need to be there early as the stadium is hosting a huge event tonight.
BG Stadium....... Reaching the stadium is a chore in itself and takes an hour, it's that busy. Then there are parking issues. This is the biggest fixture of the season for BG Pathum United. It's the equivalent of Liverpool v Man U. in this league. The long time leaders in the Thai Premier League are in town. It takes half a hour to get parked that leaves an hour to queue for souvenirs, food and drink and I'm not best pleased with the delay. My idea was to buy food to eat in advance rather than to eat up in the stands. One thing I do have though is a prepaid ticket in the new stand just opened which was sold out weeks ago. The issue I've had in the past is that the main stand is the highest and narrowest in the league. I was never comfortable with it. The new stand opposite is different and suits me far better. On the plus side today, is that we've paid just 100 baht per ticket and to celebrate the opening of the new stand there are free drinks but free beer I wasn't expecting. So, unfortunately with shopping to do I have to take my winnings up to the stand in the crowded seating area. There I get the mood of this occasion. Buriram are here in force and take up a whole stand. This crowd is bound to be the largest I've been among except for the Thunderdome, Buriram United's own stadium.
BG Pathum United v Buriram United....... After a slow start to their season, Buriram now occupy their seemingly perpetual spot on top of this league while BG Pathum lie fourth. With the BG supporters out in full force, getting right behind their team this game is going to be a fascinating match up and for me I would like to see the leaders going home empty-handed.
The game kicks off at 7.00 pm with great anticipation. Who will take away the bragging rites? As expected the game is tense with both team throwing everything at it. You can't separate them but into the first half it's first blood to the leaders after a poor clearance finds Lucas Crispim on the edge of the box who makes no mistake firing in a low shot in the 37th minute. The home crowd goes silent but at the Buriram end supporters go wild. Buriram just need to bide their time now, no need to force the game. The half ends with Buriram United leading 1 : 0 after BG Pathum have the better chances including hitting the upright.
BG Pathum come out in the second half and need inspiration, and they get it. Whatever was said at half time it's working. BG employ the press and Buriram are on the back foot. I close my eyes to the times the leaders beat the press and go on the counter. The atmosphere is electric. Finally, BG Pathum get the ball in the net but the goal is overruled by VAR. Undeterred the home side keep pressing and after a shot is fired unto the penalty area, local hero Teerasil Dangda slips in between two defenders and produces a neat header to beat the goalkeeper. It's 1 : 1 and this game is on fire. The home side keep pressing and Buriram are under the cosh, but they just about survive with BG Pathum just needing a bit more composure around the goal area. Buriram will go home happy they didn't lose this game. They were not at their best tonight.
From our parking spot it takes ages to reach the main road after this game. Perhaps we should have stayed for the concert celebrating 50 years at the stadium. Once clear however, it's an easy run home, and we make it just after 10 pm. Today has had it all despite the heat - trains, Thai history and football.
Filling in Time....... For the second day running I need to go out again and for a personal reason but I plan also to make it to a third football game in four days. There should also be time to visit attractions, but we've only a vague idea of where to spend the free time.
A dental appointment at 11.30am dictates the time and place but requires a long trip across town. This is not logical as there is a dentist right on our doorstep but Katoon has been using one in Bang Bua Thong for many years and I welcome joining her here after such poor service in the UK. The appointment is for an extraction but that gets delayed for technical reasons and I end up with a polish which is long overdue anyway and good value too. That done we can take lunch nearby.
This dental appointment is the first of two appointments today but the next won't be until evening and certainly less painful. That leaves a big gap in the day but there's no point in making two trips since the second appointment is more or less on the way back. I had in mind to use the time to visit Ayutthaya but there are other attractions in this area I haven't visited before.
We arrive in Bang Pa-in District and the obvious attraction here is the Bang Pa-in Royal Palace which I must visit sometime but today we are looking for the less than obvious.
Wat Chumphon Nikayaram....... Wat Choompon Nikayaram is a second class royal temple located in Bang Len, Bang Pa-in District. It is adjacent to the palace and to the Chao Praya River so possessing perfect harmony with nature. It is believed that the temple was established in the reign of Prachao Prasat Thong during the Ayutthaya Period in 1632. The area had been used as his mother's residence. The temple which still exists was later restored in the reign of Rama IV and Rama V of Rattanakosin Period. What is interesting in this magnificent monastery are the seven principal Buddha images made of sandstone mixed with stucco which makes them different from those at other temples. Phra Wipassisikee, Wessaphu, Kakusunta, Konakamana, Kasapa, and Kotama with the other four disciples too as well as the rarely seen sculpture of a nun wearing full dress and the Buddha images of Metteyya in full costume are installed in front of the monastery. The remarkable mural paintings depicting the life of seven Buddhas inside the temple however, have lost some of the facing with the passing of time. The temple is a wonderful and rare example of an Ayutthaya temple saved from destruction after the fall of the city in 1767. It could well be that the distance from the city was a determining factor that saved it.
Wat Niwet Thammaprawat Ratchaworawihan....... Nearby is Wat Niwet Thammaprawat Ratchaworawihan, a Buddhist temple of the Dhammayut Order, located within the grounds of the Royal Palace. Founded in 1878, it is remarkable among Thai Buddhist temples in that its architecture mimics that of a European church, being built in the Gothic Revival style. The construction of the temple was commissioned by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in 1876, to serve as the royal temple for the newly expanded Bang Pa-In Palace. The temple was designed by Joachim Grassi, one of the first Italian architects employed under the king's government. Many public buildings were built in the Western style during Chulalongkorn's reign, a trend reflecting the modernisation of Siam (as Thailand was then known) at the time. Wat Niwet Thammaprawat was built with stained-glass windows and a Gothic altar. Its appearance resembles that of a Christian church, with the temple's main Buddha image in place of a Cross. Construction was completed in 1878.
These two attraction are visited in the fierce heat of a Thailand summer so not ideal, but we needed to fill in the time and have made the most of it here. There remains one more place to visit before we head for our evening's appointment. As mentioned, Ayutthaya itself was the aiming point but only so far as the railway station. Otherwise, this city is hardly new to this website. However, we don't need to go that far to see trains even though Ayutthaya is just 20 km away. Bang Pa-in Railway Station is a perfect substitute. Arriving at this station adds a new station to my visit list and I'm happy to wait 30 minutes for an arriving train. This is a Rapid train from Den Chai to Bangkok. At 4.30 pm we can head for BG Pathum Stadium for an evening's entertainment. Even though the entertainment doesn't start till 7.00 pm there is bound to be traffic issues, and we need to be there early as the stadium is hosting a huge event tonight.
BG Stadium....... Reaching the stadium is a chore in itself and takes an hour, it's that busy. Then there are parking issues. This is the biggest fixture of the season for BG Pathum United. It's the equivalent of Liverpool v Man U. in this league. The long time leaders in the Thai Premier League are in town. It takes half a hour to get parked that leaves an hour to queue for souvenirs, food and drink and I'm not best pleased with the delay. My idea was to buy food to eat in advance rather than to eat up in the stands. One thing I do have though is a prepaid ticket in the new stand just opened which was sold out weeks ago. The issue I've had in the past is that the main stand is the highest and narrowest in the league. I was never comfortable with it. The new stand opposite is different and suits me far better. On the plus side today, is that we've paid just 100 baht per ticket and to celebrate the opening of the new stand there are free drinks but free beer I wasn't expecting. So, unfortunately with shopping to do I have to take my winnings up to the stand in the crowded seating area. There I get the mood of this occasion. Buriram are here in force and take up a whole stand. This crowd is bound to be the largest I've been among except for the Thunderdome, Buriram United's own stadium.
BG Pathum United v Buriram United....... After a slow start to their season, Buriram now occupy their seemingly perpetual spot on top of this league while BG Pathum lie fourth. With the BG supporters out in full force, getting right behind their team this game is going to be a fascinating match up and for me I would like to see the leaders going home empty-handed.
The game kicks off at 7.00 pm with great anticipation. Who will take away the bragging rites? As expected the game is tense with both team throwing everything at it. You can't separate them but into the first half it's first blood to the leaders after a poor clearance finds Lucas Crispim on the edge of the box who makes no mistake firing in a low shot in the 37th minute. The home crowd goes silent but at the Buriram end supporters go wild. Buriram just need to bide their time now, no need to force the game. The half ends with Buriram United leading 1 : 0 after BG Pathum have the better chances including hitting the upright.
BG Pathum come out in the second half and need inspiration, and they get it. Whatever was said at half time it's working. BG employ the press and Buriram are on the back foot. I close my eyes to the times the leaders beat the press and go on the counter. The atmosphere is electric. Finally, BG Pathum get the ball in the net but the goal is overruled by VAR. Undeterred the home side keep pressing and after a shot is fired unto the penalty area, local hero Teerasil Dangda slips in between two defenders and produces a neat header to beat the goalkeeper. It's 1 : 1 and this game is on fire. The home side keep pressing and Buriram are under the cosh, but they just about survive with BG Pathum just needing a bit more composure around the goal area. Buriram will go home happy they didn't lose this game. They were not at their best tonight.
From our parking spot it takes ages to reach the main road after this game. Perhaps we should have stayed for the concert celebrating 50 years at the stadium. Once clear however, it's an easy run home, and we make it just after 10 pm. Today has had it all despite the heat - trains, Thai history and football.
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Wat Chumphon Nikayaram,
Ban Len, Bang Pa-in District
Wat Niwet Thammaprawat Ratchaworawihan, Ban Len, Bang Pa-in District
Chao Phraya River,
Ban Len, Bang Pa-in District
Bang Pa-in Railway Station,
Ban Len, Bang Pa-in District
Pathum Thani
BG Pathum Stadium,
Bueng Yitho, Thanyaburi District