I've had a comfortable night; I really love the soft pillow. For 500 baht, the apartment seems a bargain, but we need to self-cater of course: There are only snacks and drinks at reception, However, I can't seriously leave without complaining about something. Now let me think! Oh yes, the towels have seen better days, but they are clean, In the bathroom there are migit flies. I have great run washing them down the sink. It's time to get the kettle on.
After an excellent day yesterday, today is all about the main reason I'm here and we plan to arrive at our final destination asap to ensure we have tickets for the main event this evening. Whatever else we can do, I've no idea as I search online for anything interesting I may have missed in the past. The search comes up with just one location which is close to Chainat Bird Park.
Wat Pathomathet Sana Aranyawasi is located on a hillside overlooking the bird park. It serves as a meditation centre and is home to the magnificent 'Phra Buddha Ariyadhammo,' a large Sukhothai-style Buddha statue in the Subduing Mara posture. Inside the main hall at the top of the hill, there are statues of three renowned monks: Luang Por Choon, Luang Por Kob, and Luang Por Opasi.
We are not reaching the hilltop today but something else steels our attention causing us to wonder 'are we seeing things'. In the distance to the south are two static aircraft in the middle of nowhere. These are clearly large Boeing 747-400 planes that last saw service five years age. I have to take a closer look and plan a route to the site 7 km away.
On reaching Boeing Landing, I'm confused. What are these aircraft doing so far away from a landing strip? On reaching the site, all I see is a large warehouse the exterior of which is plastered with door and window panels a clue as to what might be taking place here. I guess the work inside concentrates on steel fabrication which may explain why these aircraft are here. I'd like to find out more, but unfortunately the premises are closed to the public but why? This is an attraction which would attract many visitors. It's now approaching midday and conveniently sited next door is 432 Little Camp, a small coffee shop/restaurant with seating in the garden. The setting here is exquisite, laid out amongst trees and shrubs near a pond. More obviously, the owner of the land next door has not only secured the aircraft but a train too with freight wagons set up on a stretch of railway track. It's an interesting photo opportunity but begs the question of why is this equipment here? Perhaps it was started as a project that never came to fruition. Well, at least we can relax for the moment with a ice drink and a light lunch. Now we must head straight to the stadium in Uthai Thani about 40 minutes away.
The provincial stadium in Uthai Thani is one we've been to a couple of times before. It's a lovely little stadium located at the base of the Sakae Krang Hill. It is more than adequate for this relatively small provincial city. Normally you just turn up and buy your ticket at the kiosk but today is not normal which is why I've turned up early. The dominant team for many years, Buriram United are in town filling stadiums wherever they go. We arrive at the stadium around 1:00 PM and I am devastated as my worst fears have come true, but there was always a chance this might happen. I must now pause and reflect on the missed opportunity, but I have a decision to make.
To cater for this fixture we have booked accommodation in the town and paid the 50% deposit, but there's no longer a reason to stay. We can easily make it back to Bangkok by late afternoon. The question is what to do about the booking and Katoon calls the hotel where there are a couple of options. The first is to get a partial refund, but we could also utilise the deposit to stay at a later date and that's what I decide since there is plenty more opportunities to come to Uthai Thani. We can now enter into damage limitation mode has the option to attend a football game tonight is not lost.
There is a fixture at BG Stadium on the way back to Bangkok and we know what to do to secure tickets. The game there tonight is a local derby, but the stadium has been recently expanded and it's still not fully booked as we secure tickets online. I calculate that there is a two-hour buffer available before we need to be at the stadium and it makes sense to make best use of the time available. Initially, I only have an instinct to see some more trains, but I'm open to other options and Katoon soon finds one. We get diverted from the main highway and cross into Nakhon Sawan province finding an important religious site in Ban Takli distict.
Arriving at Wat Nong Pho you just feel there is something special about it on account of its history. It was an abandoned temple in the Ayutthaya Period and was restored around the year 1915. As the temple had a large 'pho' tree with seven branches it was called Wat Sompod Pho Krajai by locals. Later Luang Phor Sri of Wat Prang Leaung in Payuhakiri district, changed the name to Wat Sumpod Pho Yen. By 1915, the supreme patriarch was granted land to develop the temple and it was decided to change the name to that of the village.
Such is the recorded history of this temple that it would be impossible for me to include all the details here from such an opportunistic visit, but it's important to remember a former abbot, Luang Por Derm who was one of the greatest Thai Buddhist Master Monks and maker of magical amulets and famous 'Mitmor' ritual spirit knives. After his death in 1951, Luang Por Derm's body was cremated and his ashes and relics placed in a stupa at this temple.
Although there is some information in English in the grounds, visitors should do some research beforehand. In the grounds they should also visit the chapel, the knife hall which has an impressive spirit knife several metres long and certainly the Luang Por Museum. The latter contains mostly religious item but also acts as a cultural museum for Nong Pho. There are several halls here containing a wealth of information backed up by valuable objects. Unfortunately, while I'm sure there is a lot to learn here, there is no information in English, limiting the value of the 40 baht fee.
Still in the temple grounds, we stock up with snack food for the evening's entertainment then well, find a railway station of course.
We reach Nong Pho Railway Station, a short distance away. This station is included in the Lop Buri-Pak Nam Pho duel-track upgrades and it shows. It's another excellently designed station with raised platforms a new station building. The main work is complete, but I'm not sure whether the station is in use as there are some minor works unfinished noting that waiting room seating is incomplete. Alongside, the old station building would appear on no design award nomination. It's just a row of rooms cobbled together just to function. It's not surprising as Nong Pho can hardly be called a town as such. However while the current station is impressive there is some history here and it goes back to the time of Luang Por Derm. This elite monk became highly respected even within the Royal Court but at the time there was no railway station at Nong Pho to assist him with his travels. But contrary to state railway policy he managed to get trains to stop beside the line especially for his use. Later this station was built as a halt on the Northern Line. We have now used up almost all the slack we had. There can be no more stops. It's time to head back to Bangkok two hours away. Traffic congestion is expected, but we should be fine with our tickets secured online.
We arrive within 45 minutes of the kick-off, but again fail to find an adequate parking space. Being a local derby it's even worse than last time. It's been a very hot day again and even a 10-minute walk is uncomfortable not helped by our booked in Zone E at the furthest point of entrance. The only better news today is that we have brought with us provisions except for drinks. We can head straight for our seats. On this occasion we have selected seats higher up in the stand and allows for a gentle breeze to comfort us. Despite the huge crowd, this is distributed throughout the stadium as you would expect and there are still seats available. We can now relax and enjoy the game.
The game between BG Pathum United (The Rabbits) and Mueang Thong United (The Karins or Twins) kicks off at 19.00 and with just 1 point between them, lying 3rd and 4th in the table respectively, there is all to play for. Yet the way the table sits, neither team has much chance of becoming runners-up. Still, it's a local derby and there is a fierce rivalry. The game gets under way and the Rabbits are quicker on the ball, running at the defence and riding tackles. Those who are concerned about a stalemate need not have worried as the Rabbits move ahead through their star forward Raniel. It's 1 : 0 at half-time.
Into the second half, it's about how the visitors will respond, but the Rabbits retain high energy and tempo not allowing them in the game. When Raniel produces another rabbit out of the hat, the game must be over. It finishes 2 : 0 and although the Brazilian gets the accolade, it's been a great team effort all round by BG defeating a strong team in this league. The Rabbits stay in 3rd while Mueang Thong drop a place to fifth after a great win by Port FC. So what happened to the game I couldn't attend?
Buriram were favorites to win at Uthai Thani and 4 : 0 would have surprised nobody, yet late in the game, reports come in of no goals by either team and when the final whistle blows there is a wry smile to my face. The day has ended with a trudge back to the car and a 40 minutes drive, but boring it certainly was not.

Source: Visit