Day 4 - Monday 19 October 2015

Tanachon Resort........photo. At Tanachon Resort I pay a bit more but secure quite a lot of extra comfort and convenience. The resort staff is brilliant and added snacks and soft drinks and even hot water for a coffee. My only complaint is the lack of a soft seat and somewhere to use my computer. The metal table and chairs on the balcony simply don’t work. Nevertheless I’ve caught up with my blog and can prepare for a quick getaway. U Thong is just one of ten districts in Suphanburi Province but unlike Meuang Suphanburi I should be able to cover only the five sites on my list today despite them being spread out a bit.
Phu Muang Forest Park……..Phu Muang Forest Park is quite near but I make a pigs ear of finding it and waste about 15 minutes. This park was not quite what I expect as by far the most interesting feature for me is the presence of ancient ruins. I have reached the western limit of the Chao Phraya River Basin so for the first time this tour this site is located at a slight elevation. It’s no surprise to me then to see evidence of Hindu civilisation from around the mid-Dvaravati period (9th/10th century). The ruins are scattered around the Phu Muang Waterfall, little more than rapids really. It’s a good start.

No Orchids!.......The second location on my list is named ‘Affinite Orchids’. For once I cannot get this name through to Katoon to help me. I’m sure it’s nearby but I fail to locate it. However instead of solving the problem I end up on a wild goose chase for most of the day. I’ve given the approximate location in the sub-district but communication fails on this occasion. For the third location I need to head back to U-Thong but blue tourist signs show the presence of other attractions in the area. These will keep me occupied till lunch.
Wat Khao Tumtiam....... Wat Khao Tumtiam, on a hill, contains an ancient monument consistent with the dominant Hindu religion in the Dvaravati Period. The partly restored brick ruin is reached with a stiff climb to the summit. Unlike the more modern chedi and standing golden Buddha image it is out if view from the base of the hill. With some reservation I make it to the summit with obvious questions about my health and fitness. It’s really quite difficult in the heat and humidity. Near the ruin, not for the first time this tour, discussions with a resident monk has lead to gift but I will of course be encouraged to ‘tambon’, pray for good health and make an offering.

Wat Putyakhiri Srisuvarnabhumi Buddha........ Wat Putyakhiri Srisuvarnabhumi Buddha is a huge Buddha image carved out of a rock face which was likely the site of a quarry. The image is presently being reconstructed. It should be quite impressive when its finished.
Ban Khao Phra Reservoir........The Ban Khao Phra Reservoir is just a little further on from the Wat Putyakhiri Srisuvarnabhumi Buddha. It has a relatively small earth and rock dam.

Dvaravati U Thong Ancient Town Floating Market........None of the last three locations were on my list for today and neither is the next. The floating market, located a couple of kilometres south of the town, is small with just a few vendors and a floating restaurant. It proves ideal for lunch, albeit just more noodles I’m afraid. My next location is U Thong National Museum which could be quite interesting or should have been! Mondays and Tuesdays it is closed. Where’s my sad face sticker? Nothing I can do but press on to the next site.

Wat Khao Phra Si Sanphet........ It is presumed that the hilltop temple, Wat Khao Phra Si Sanphet was founded after the Dvaravati period as a lot of supporting archaeological evidence has been found. Near the base of the hill is a cave, home to resident bats while on the hill, the ruin of a pagoda from the Ayutthaya period is located together with the Buddha’s footprint carved from stone. This is now preserved in an ornate pagoda between two smaller pagodas. The summit can be reached by car. Wat Khao Phra Si Sanphet is located west of the town on a minor road about 10 minutes drive away.

Wat Khao Kamphaeng…….. Wat Khao Kamphaeng lies to the west of U Thong District near the border with Kanchanaburi Province. It can be reached from local road 3019 on the way to Wat Khao Di Salak. Inside the Ubosot is a large white marble Buddha statue.

Wat Khao Di Salak........ Wat Khao Di Salak can be reached along a minor road linked to Highway 333 just a few kilometres north of U Thong. The temple houses quite a special Buddha’s footprint, a bas-relief footprint carved out of red sandstone. Archaeologists presume that the footprint is an art object of the Dvaravati style, dating back to 9th -11th century. Furthermore, Buddha images and artefacts were discovered in a rock cavity. Between 1994 and 1999 with assistance from the Fine Arts Department the footprint was covered with an ornate mondrop. On the hill above the temple is another temple ruin that dates from the Dvaravati Period. This is reached by a long staircase. Once again I make it to the top but it’s a real struggle. I hadn’t factored in yet another stiff climb. The things I do to keep my website alive.

Don Chedi........The location of Affinite Orchids still haunts me and the wild goose chase seems to have continued but I know the opportunity is lost when I reach a plant centre I am directed to. But there are no orchids. It’s time to abandon U Tong and head north. The next district is Don Chedi. This is one of the smaller districts of Suphanburi Province but has immense historical significance. I arrive in the town later than I had hoped but agree to stay in a resort just outside the old city walls. When I head out for something to eat I park up within a stone’s throw of the Don Chedi Memorial. For a change I buy something to take back to the room for dinner. The end of a topsey turvey day in which I only managed three sites on my list is near but I’m happy with the sites added. I can make good progress on my blog in the evening but the room has no three pin sockets to charge my computer. Inevitably the battery power expires before I can finish or publish my blog. It’s frustrating but I learn the lesson to check the rooms I stay in for modern wiring. At least I can have an early night. Next Page.