t's been a comfortable night at Thong Chang Resort. Normally resort bungalow types are of lower spec than the more modern apartment blocks that are springing up all over Thailand. Bungalow resorts are more usually found around the coast or in rural areas. The latter is the case here. While many resorts are of dubious quality, others have been renovated to a good standard. Thong Chang Resort falls into this category, the only reference to its origin being brown furniture no longer in fashion. By the standard of others, this resort offers spacious rooms and everything is in place for a pleasant stay. The centrepiece of the room is the bed. On top of a concrete base is a mattress that has great appeal with the object to provide a good night's sleep as it should be.
When we arrived yesterday, we noticed there was at least coffee in the reception area, but this morning there are pastries and rice soup added. It's a bonus I wasn't expecting. Also unexpected is a swimming pool useful for those who stay longer. That won't be us as we have another's long journey ahead having abandoned any idea of staying on this tour a further night.
Today of course, is Songkran, Thai New Year. It's a busy time but as most people will have arrived at wherever they wish to celebrate, I'm hopeful of not too much traffic disruption today.
I play it safe by resisting the temptation to visit the station and we're on the road by 9.00 am and heading out of Chumphon province and into the next. By the time we've crossed most of Prachuap Khiri Khan province, it's past midday. Lunch beckons, but I see an opportunity to see a train.
We're now in Pranburi district and there is an Ordinary train due at the station. When I arrive there is indeed a train due. Well, make that two, one in each direction to and from Lang Suan? It's more than I expected, but lunch is now overdue. I just add a note that this station has been fully upgraded, but there is no footbridge. Instead, there is twin platform edge lifts which allows a walk over the tracks to the other side. Most curious!
We head around the Hua Hin bypass and find a popular seafood restaurant, breaking a recent chain of going without freshly cooked seafood. The meal proves delicious and we're set up for the afternoon.
With good progress we're heading through Phetchaburi province and our expected arrival time at our next destination allows us a free hour at least: Time for another station visit. Carefully checking for departures, I come up with Nong Pla Duk station which is familiar, but there have been changes. The new station building is now fully open and the original one obsolete. I'm expecting an express train for the deep south but as I arrive another service has just pulled into the station. I wouldn't have been unable to make a reasonable video we're it not for the fact this train is held at a signal and the token withheld. Soon all is good with me and the train as it gets permission to leave. The next action is that through train for Sungai-Kolok dashing past. Then there's some icing on the cake as a sprinter train from Surat Thani races through on the way yo the capital.
So five trains it is on a long day of transition, but the day hasn't finished yet. It's now 4.45 pm and there is evening entertainment less than a half hour away in Nakhon Pathom. For the second time on my latest visit to Thailand I find myself at the provincial stadium where the home team are in action again.
The fixture between Nakhon Pathom United FC and Port FC of Bangkok kicks off at 6.00 pm. I secure tickets for the W1 stand, secure refreshments and settle in for the game.
The last time I was here, the home team lost. Let's see if they can do any better today. However, their position at the bottom of the table doesn't look good. On the other hand Port FC, while not having the greatest of seasons are lying sixth in the table. Most would have a visitor win today, but the Tigers are fighting for their lives.
As the game kicks off, it's the home team who settled best while Port look lethargic. A decent contingent have arrived from the capital and are not impressed when their team concede at their end. There is no immediate response from Port, but they get a goal back with a great solo effort. The half ends all square.
Into the second half the game remains tight with the home team pressing to retake the lead, but it's the visitors who steal a goal. Unfettered, the home team keep the pressure up missing a number of chances. It looks like they will pay for it as the 90 minutes are up but with quite a bit of extra time left, they do get their equaliser. The game ends all square and the home team rue missed efforts to give them a sporting chance of avoiding relegation.
It's been an active day with over six hours of driving completed but at 8.00 pm there's still an hour and a half to go the residence. We arrive by 10.00 pm still with work to do but finally, this epic 9-day tour, constantly on the move, is at and end.

Source: Visit