Day 8 - Friday 23 October 2015

No Name Resort!...... When I wake I feel I’ve had a comfortable night despite my misgivings about the room but the time of waking up is not my choice. At 6.30am there is a knock on the door. Coffee and snacks have arrived. Great service, wrong time! My notes are up to date so after breakfast I go back to sleep for an hour but I still have to work on my list of sites for today. By the time I’m ready it’s a later start. Before I leave any accommodation I like to take a photo but it’s clear from my neglect this time that I would not be recommending it and I didn’t even record the name.
Wat Hua Khao……..Wat Hua Khao is located on a minor road south of the local road 3350 which runs west to Dan Chang. It’s located on a hill and pilgrims can use the 212 steps up to the temple. Cheaters like me can use a concrete road. The temple conducts a special ceremony annually for the end of Buddhist Lent. That’s not happening yet so I enjoy the views over the countryside before heading on to the next site.

Wat Khwang Weluwan........While the last temple was easy to find the next may be more difficult. It’s also reached from the district road 3350 which runs west from Doem Bang Nang Buat to Dan Chang. At about 20 km it is signposted on the left (don’t expect clear signs in English). My downloaded information about this temple says ’The temple houses a 400-year-old Buddha image from the Dvaravati period’. Really? My studies tell me that the Dvaravati Period ended in the 11th century. Ok let’s have a look around. As is often the case the temple contains buildings of different periods. I’m told about a new building which is still under construction. Not for the first time this tour, I’ve located a building housing a building. The new structure is designed to enclose and protect ancient brick walls. I concur that the inner temple dates from the Dvaravati period but the Buddha images are likely 17th century Ayutthaya Period.

Wat Doem Bang........For this temple I need to head back to Doem Bang Nang Buat where it is located near the river bridge over the Tha Chin. The temple houses a precious wooden pulpit carved delicately in mixed Thai and Chinese style by a Chinese artisan. The temple also keeps oyster shell alms bowl cover, ceremonial fan and a food carrier, which were presents from King Rama V. The pulpit is housed in a large hall used for ceremonies. I was shown the pulpit by arrangement as the hall is normally locked. The items given by King Rama V are not currently on view but these are intended for display in a newly constructed wooden pavilion. At this point it’s time for lunch and good progress has been made already. Lunch is taken on the main highway 340.

Wat Khao Khun........Wat Khao Khun is located further south along the 340. It is in fact located nearer to Sam Chuk than Doem Bang Nang Buat. I really could have visited the site yesterday but my new scientific approach doesn’t identify locations across district borders. I simply missed it. This temple was the former residence of the monk Phra Achan Thammachot, who played a key role in the ancient war against Burmese troops. There are a number of significant features in this temple. The temple’s image hall houses the Lord Buddha’s footprint and adjacent is a pagoda made from a pile of stone slabs while the Phra is commemorated in a separate building. A particularly intriguing feature of this temple is at the back of the image hall. There is an opening, which during the time of Phra Achan Thammachot, gave access to the rice paddies at the back of the temple; a sort of escape route. It is said that the Phra used this rock tunnel to hide from the Burmese Army.

Bueng Chawak........Bueng Chawak is a natural lake. It lies on the provincial border with Chainat Province. I’m at the lake before 3pm. This should be my last stop. What I quite expect at the lake I’m not sure but when I arrive I regret not paying more attention to my notes which says ‘This natural freshwater lake covers a huge area of over 2,700 rai (1,080 acres). The lake was declared a wildlife sanctuary area in 1983 and by its great variety of flora and fauna, the government registered Bueng Chawak as an important wetland under the Ramsar Convention. As a new destination of Suphan Buri, Bueng Chawak houses many interesting attractions’. Those attractions include an aquarium, freshwater crocodile pond and tiger and lion cages. It soon becomes clear that the latter has expanded to a zoo of some proportion. There is something else I wasn’t expecting. While I was aware this is a long bank holiday starting today, I never expected such crowds of people; it’s hard to park anywhere. What to do? Katoon wants to visit the aquarium so I need to go with that. The freshwater aquarium is built over the top of viewing tunnels. It’s the trend these days but the passageways are packed, hands flying everywhere holding all conceivable types of photographic device. I must admit it’s an amazing way to get close to fish and the kids are happy. Ok let’s head for the crocodile show. It’s the usual comedy with a head in the crocodile’s mouth. Would I actually enjoy it if the head fell off? That reminds me I need to paint the shed door when I get home and watch it dry. The next aquarium houses sharks. There is a separate admission fee for this. Who are the sharks? Of course there is a separate rate again for the zoo. I’ve really had enough of the crowds now! Let’s be off!

Krachap Yai Pond........It’s not the best way to end the Suphanburi Tour but by 4.30pm I’m in Chainat Province. It would be nice to just wind down for the day but Katoon sees an opportunity in Hanka District. It’s her personal choice and I agree to make a detour. While it’s adding to my list I’m again concerned that I will not make it back before dark. The pond was shown on Thai TV recently as within it, is an island inhabited by just a few families. Hitherto access was only by boat but the news report noted that a floating bamboo raft bridge had been built across the lake. Taking a trip along this I note that electricity is now connected to the island. I doubt if this will become any sort of tourist attraction without investment by at least I’m away from the mad crowd at Bueng Chawak. It’s time to head on to Chainat.

Chainat........My earlier concerns about leaving it too late on tour now kick in. Things had gone well until mid afternoon but as I head on to Chainat on a different route it’s getting dark. It’s the worst case scenario. You’re very tired after a long day and then have to find a room. I do find something quite soon but it’s not what I need. It’s too expensive, too far up class. Taking the cheapest room there’s not even a fridge. Then as I park up I hit a pillar reversing the car. It’s not my car and I’m mad. I refuse to take the car out now in the dark so there’s no dinner tonight. Relations with Katoon are not good and as I write this I could well be returning back to Bangkok tomorrow. As it turns out there is a natural break anyway with Suphanburi well covered. There will be a post mortem but if there’s one thing that I’ve proved beyond any doubt. Touring is very interesting but it’s also very tiring. There are times you need to stand back and take a break. Next Page.