There's been three days of inactivity, not even for shopping. It's like an oven in Bangkok, and I'd rather be somewhere else. By midmorning, that somewhere else moves a bit closer as we plan to go out for lunch by the river.
We plan to travel across the city, which is a journey in itself, then head north to Bang Pa In in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, where there are some excellent restaurants beside the Chao Phraya River. As we reach the western side of the city, there is a change of destination. We don't need to travel so far to reach the Chao Phraya. Instead we head for the Pathum Thani province and find Ban Keangnam Restaurant in Sam Khok district. This restaurant is typical for offering exotic foods besides the river. River fish, prawn omelette, and crab fried rice are the choices today, consumed while watching the barges plying up and down this massive river. It's some relief from the heat too.
With lunch over, it was inevitable that Katoon would find something else in Pathum Thani, and she's soon on the way to another religious site. We arrive at Hermit Novice Ashram That Buddhakhun, quite a mouthful and a lot to take in besides.
The features of this hermit temple include meditation areas, sculptures or statues (including hermit figures), and possibly a museum section related to hermits or spiritual teachers. Visitors describe it as serene, with opportunities for meditation or reflection. Some photos show hermit novice monks practicing in peaceful settings.
I have to look around and take photos almost as a duty and can appreciate the amount of work that has gone into this hermit temple. The sculptures and statues are eye-catching, but I'm puzzled by the huge quantity of pumpkins used as offerings and enough red soda drinks in bottles to fill a large room to the rafters. It's another attraction I can add to my long list, but one that I don't really understand. It's time to find something that I do.
We are in the area of the railway line serving the North and Northeast, and I should be able to view a train at Chiang Rak Noi Station. We arrive at the station amidst substantial construction work on the new high-speed rail link, which involves building huge concrete pillars supporting the elevated track, which is a feature of this major project. I'm in good time to record the arrival and departure of the 207 service from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong terminal station to Nakhon Sawan. It's time to head back to the residence through busy evening traffic.

Source: Visit