Ten days ago we planned a trip to Bang Pu but had to abandon it due to having insufficient time to reach the coast and by poor choice of route. Today we are trying again, on this occasion allowing plenty of time. But, the first stop is the same, as I select Hua Takhe Railway Station on the Eastern Line but arriving early I will have to compromise as there is little traffic until later in the day. Indeed, there is only one service due, the 390 Commuter Train from Chachoengsao. I would be lucky too if I saw some freight this time of day, but I can't afford to wait. Curiously, my partner chooses the same unrecommended route which finally joins the Sukhumvit Road on the coast. This is not ideal for my next planned stop as we make our way back towards Bangkok. However, it is fine for Bang Pu Recreation Centre where we plan to be at the end of the day.
Bang Pu Recreation Centre is where gulls overwinter having flown south from Siberia. It is a phenomenon that attracts many visitors this time of year. In addition, at Suk Ta Pier there is a seafood restaurant which is of interest to us today. Another reason is to enjoy a sunset while enjoying a delightful meal, but it's far too early. To fill in time we, explore the mangrove trail which is a first and reach one of the hides where bird watchers come with their high-powered zoom cameras. For ordinary visitors like us, it's such a peaceful setting. We now head for the pier where to my surprise the air is filled with gulls in flight attracted by free food close to where they roost. With our early arrival, I have some thinking to do. Certainly there's no point in waiting for the sunset as it's unusually cloudy with rain about and as regards a seafood meal there are other options. Regarding that final attraction for today we can head there now as it's still daylight. We are close to the mighty Chao Phraya River estuary here and on its eastern shore is an iconic temple, Wat Asokaram.
Wat Asokaram is a royal temple located in the Paknam, Phasi Charoen district, on the banks of several Bangkok canals. Paknam in Thai means riverfront. The temple became popular thanks to the meditation master Luang Pu Sodh Candasaro, who was its abbot during the first half of the 20th century. Finally adding this temple to the list, we head for Paknam in search of that seafood meal knowing that it won't be as exotic as at Bang Pu.
We arrive at Paknam where the roads are extremely busy and we are reluctant to stop and search around the market area finding ourselves on Samut Prakan Promenade on the Chao Phraya River. The promenade is a great place to relax overlooking the Chao Phraya River noting that there is development in progress likely connected with the provision of recreational facilities. However, there are no restaurants here, limiting our stay. Across the mighty waterway we can see Phra Samut Chedi where we were on an earlier trip while right behind us is the Samut Prakan Learning Park and Tower exquisitely lit up against the night sky. It's time to press on and find our dinner. In the process of trying to find a shortcut we find ourselves in a commercial part of the city with narrow streets. We're not far from the tollway and find somewhere promising With an abundance of seafood dishes. The proportions are impressive and the bill even more so. It's time to head back. It will be close to 9:00 pm by the time we arrive and we wonder what shops will be open and in the nick of time we secure what we need tomorrow. The day has turned out well despite us having to improvise.

Source: Visit