It's been more than a week since I arrived back in Thailand and there has been few opportunities so far, to explore, just one mandatory overnight stay and a one all-day trip. This weekend though, I need to focus on some entertainment and after a pause for international fixtures, there is a return to Thai League football and I see a good opportunity for a long weekend. The plan was to take in two games, turning the weekend into a 3-day-trip. Yes, there are fixtures near the city but it will be great to take a break from the city. The Saturday to Monday trip seemed to be organized, but right at the last moment I saw a chance to go for 4 days. The plan now is to spend 2 nights in Ratchaburi and one in Kanchanaburi, both easy to reach, west of Bangkok. Apart from football, the extra day opens other doors.
The doors that will open today are mainly train doors as I plan a railway tour. I plan to leave the residence around 9.00 AM an will meet up Katoon later. Things are straightforward as Katoon drops me off at Kor Mor 6 on the MRT Pink line. From here, I head for Lak Si a connection with the SRT Red Line. From here I can head straight into the Apiwat Central Station. All works out well and at Apiwat, I cross over to Bang Sue Junction Station for the 2nd time this week. I have a thought that arriving near the same time as I did before, this visit will just be a carbon copy of the last one. Sure enough, the340 Commuter service arrives and it start's like an action replay but the 340 gets held up at a signal. Heading light from Hua Lamphong is a GE locomotive heading for the maintenance depot and the 340 can head into the city. At least there is some variety there.
I settle down to wait for the next train then, am surprised to be awakened by an unscheduled arrival. Heading into the station is a mail train which halts at the parcels section of the station. Mail trains are no unusual and I amuse myself by watching the staff loading all sorts of items into the train, included unboxed item such as motorbikes and plants. Loading of the former is interesting as some of these machines are large and take four bodies to manhandle them up a ramp. While I watch this attentively, I find out the mail train is heading for the Malaysian border at Sungai Kolok in Thailand's deep south. Interestingly, there is also a locomotive change to an older one. The train departs at 11.30 AM and one more video gets added to my collection. Now, there's time for one more train before I need to make a move. Soon the engine that brough in the mail train re-appears briefly but my attention turns to the arriving train for Surin. This is a repeat service as on the previous visit with just a different engine. Then, the GE makes and appearance too. These older trains are regularly used for shunting and this one is carrying a DMU train set, presumably for Hua Lamphong although it's not clear why the DMU isn't transferring under it's own power. With that gone, the Surin service believes it's time to go. All in all this hour or so in Bang Sue has proved far more productive than I had hoped. I return across the road to Apiwat.
I now time to head for the rendezvous point to meet up with Katoon. This involves two train journies. First, I need to take another Red Line Train, this one heading west to Taling Chan. This takes about 20 minutes. At Taling Chan, it's onto vintage equipment as I jump aboard a train for Prachuap Khiri Khan. 50 minutes later I'm in Nakhon Pathom and complete the rendezvous with Katoon.
Nakhon Pathom is a nice town with plenty of history and much quieter than Bangkok. Today it serves as a venue for a late lunch. There nothing fancy here in the shadow of the iconic Phra Pathom Chedi. It's time to complete today's journey as we take the 30-minute trip into the next district.
For tonight, I've taken a bit of a chance with accommodation and gone for something cheaper. We will soon know whether we fin a lame duck or a real bargain. Pak Ping Apartment lies on the southern outskirts of Ratchaburi and seems to be modern. We arrive in the parking area in front of the 3-story building and all looks fine to me. The check in is effortless now what about the room? Well, it's plain but clean, spacious and modern. These are first impressions and I'm beginning to think 'bargain'. I'm soon set up with my laptop making notes.
After a rest it's time to consider dinner, not that I really need a big meal. We head into the city locating Mueang Thong City POint where there is a huge food court and so it happens again. When will I ever diet? Back at the room I continue with my notes. I continue to be impressed with the accommodation at Pak Ping Residence finding only minor issues. The plug socket could be better poitioned and a soap rack in in the shower room would also help. All-in-all I've enjoyed some freedom to roam today and enjoyed the experience.

Source: Visit