Day 1, Friday 1 March - Nang Rong

Up country..... Although most of the tours featured in this website are by design, the basic itinerary sometimes being prepared months in advance, there are certainly those that seem to come at me out of the blue. With two major tours already completed in the last month and my return to the UK just around the corner I get one last chance to get back on the road. An acquaintance is travelling up country on a long weekend off work and I get an invitation. With a chance to travel by car for a change sharing travel expenses it would seem to be a good opportunity, but I'm a bit concerned about the destination. The round trip of some 900 kilometres to Buriram province has to be completed in three days.
I'm only vaguely aware of the reason for the trip which is likely religious. Things will be much clearer later. I'm collected as promised around 10 am. Although I know the recommended route to the northeast, it's not followed adding a couple of hours onto the journey. Instead of heading northeast through Saraburi and on to the Korat plateau we head east towards Chachoengsao along the Chonburi Highway. There's a stop planned near Chachoengsao. It's the religious site of Wat Saman Rattanaram While the religious significance is lost on me the temple location is ideal near the Bangkapong River attracting many visitors. All we need now though are rides and you'd call it a theme park.
As I'm a guest I cannot comment further, but that's taken a good hour. Not only that, it leaves a more difficult route up to the Khorat plateau at Wang Nam Khiao via Prachin Buri and Kabin Buri which takes it into late afternoon. I recommend that we press on leaving more options for tomorrow. An overnight stop is made in Nang Rong which leaves 45 minutes drive into Buriram but double that to the final destination. Rutna Resort, Just off the main highway 24 near the hospital is comfortable enough and dinner is taken in the town in the market square.
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