Today there's another appointment, this time for me, which means a journey across town to Bang Bua Thong. It's a continuation of work to fit new dental implants that started last spring. We leave; we need to leave quite early due to the fear of heavy traffic. However, the traffic proves larger than expected, and we're at the clinic in plenty of time. By 11:00 AM the appointment is over, completing the first of three appointments needed to complete the work.
There's now some head scratching, since nothing else has been arranged for today. Ideally, I'd like to see some more trains, and Katoon comes up with a plan. It means a journey of around 100 kilometres, and I decided to go for it. We head north along the Kanchanapesek Highway and then along the 35 into Ayutthaya province. By 12.30 PM we're in the district of Tha Ruea heading for a historic temple.
Wat Makham Phlong was likely built in the 17th century. Tha Ruea, means 'boat pier,' commemorating King Narai's stopover here.
Now well into the lunch window as I search around for a suitable place to eat. Short distance away on the road into town, I notice a restaurant serving Jim Jum, local hot pot. This is ideal since I haven't tried one of these for awhile. As we order off the menu, this isn't going to be a quick in and out afair, as we prepare for an hour of indulgence. With all the ingredients set down on the table, and the charcoal burner ready, all is set for a delightful meal. From the menu it already looks incredible value, but I hadn't realised that this is also part of the Government scheme to help the economy. Basically we only pay 50% with the restaurant claiming the remainder from the government. With such an amazing meal too, we are unlikely to need much more than for the rest of the day. With the meal over, it's time to head for what should be the highlight for me today; the railway station at Tha Ruea.
Tha Ruea Railway Station is a key stop on Thailand's Northern Line, operated by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). It opened on April 1, 1901, as part of the early expansion of Thailand's railway network during the reign of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V). It accommodates Special, Rapid and Ordinary trains.
At the station, I am happy to wait an hour to capture three trains for my YouTube channel: two Rapid and one Ordinary. By 4.00 PM I'm happy with my work, but before we leave, we take a short walk through the train market, a local street market preparing for evening trade. Finally, there is a last-minute adjustment as my partner searches for another temple.
We find Wat Satue Phutthasayat on the east side of Tha Ruea. Situated along the banks of the Pa Sak River, it dates back to the late Ayutthaya Kingdom period (around 1687-1767). The temple is renowned for its massive reclining Buddha statue, known as Phra Si Mueang Thong, which measures approximately 50 metres in length from head to toe. This site was originally part of a larger monastery that housed the statue but was largely destroyed by fire and the Burmese invasion that sacked Ayutthaya in 1767. Over centuries, the elements eroded much of the structure, leaving the exposed reclining Buddha as the central remnant-a poignant symbol of endurance amid ruin.
We must call it a day but marvel at the Rama VI Dam opposite, Thailand's first major irrigation dam. Originally named Phra Thien Racha Dam, it was renamed in honour of the king upon completion on December 1, 1924. Managed by the Royal Irrigation Department (RID), the dam regulates water for over a million rai (approximately 160,000 hectares) of farmland in the central plains, feeding key canals like Khlong Rapipat (east) and Khlong Makham Thao U-Thong (west).
With this addition to our travels today, we now cannot return to Bangkok before dark, but 7.00 PM is a respectable time, and we don't need anything to call a dinner after such a big meal earlier. It was a useful day out today at the end of my first week here, which otherwise has been less than inspiring.

Source: Visit