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Friday 20 April 2018
Rest Day........Since the thunderstorm in Noen Maprang 3 days ago the temperature has risen again into the upper 30’s Celsius and the last couple of days in Phitsanulok have been quite tiring for me but otherwise there are no issues so far this tour. Thankfully I’m awake earlier this morning to start my blog after nothing was done last evening. In the grand scheme of things it would be better to have more of a rest day today to catch up with things and then prepare for the next section of this tour.
Stopover........While a stopover before my next destination is necessary, there is a more direct route than using Si Satchanalai but I had identified another location missed off a previous tour. By 11am we’re ready to move but then in a fit of utter frustration I fail to locate the monument I was looking for despite numerous enquiries as it appears my record keeping has let me down. Having wasted the best part of an hour it’s time for lunch; there’s been no super breakfast today so it’s just a bowl of noodles in the town of Ban Hat Siao.
Sathon Gold Textile Museum........Just across the road from the fresh market in Hat Siao is the Sathon Gold Textile Museum opened in 1988, owned by an ex-broker for old woven textiles, Sathorn Sorajprasobsanti whose collection ranging from the simple to delicate patterns like Teen Jok, are on display in the museum and has attracted interest from academics and collectors. Many of the fabrics were made in Ban Had Siao Village where the Tai Puan people built their community during the reign of Rama II. They were known for their beautiful home-use hand-woven garments, knowledge of which was passed through many generations before the textiles became commercialised.
Rest Day........Since the thunderstorm in Noen Maprang 3 days ago the temperature has risen again into the upper 30’s Celsius and the last couple of days in Phitsanulok have been quite tiring for me but otherwise there are no issues so far this tour. Thankfully I’m awake earlier this morning to start my blog after nothing was done last evening. In the grand scheme of things it would be better to have more of a rest day today to catch up with things and then prepare for the next section of this tour.
Stopover........While a stopover before my next destination is necessary, there is a more direct route than using Si Satchanalai but I had identified another location missed off a previous tour. By 11am we’re ready to move but then in a fit of utter frustration I fail to locate the monument I was looking for despite numerous enquiries as it appears my record keeping has let me down. Having wasted the best part of an hour it’s time for lunch; there’s been no super breakfast today so it’s just a bowl of noodles in the town of Ban Hat Siao.
Sathon Gold Textile Museum........Just across the road from the fresh market in Hat Siao is the Sathon Gold Textile Museum opened in 1988, owned by an ex-broker for old woven textiles, Sathorn Sorajprasobsanti whose collection ranging from the simple to delicate patterns like Teen Jok, are on display in the museum and has attracted interest from academics and collectors. Many of the fabrics were made in Ban Had Siao Village where the Tai Puan people built their community during the reign of Rama II. They were known for their beautiful home-use hand-woven garments, knowledge of which was passed through many generations before the textiles became commercialised.
Sathon Gold Textile Museum, Hat Siao, Si Satchanalai District, Sukhothai Province Lampang........Finally we head northwest into the mountains, entering Phrae province and skirting around Wiang Kosai National Park following the Yom River. Joining National Highway 11 heading west we soon enter Lampang province. The ETA for Lampang city is just after 4pm. Normally leaving accommodation arrangements to Katoon, I’m not always sure that’s wise as we seem to do a city tour far earlier than expected. I do my best to use the High Tech method but it’s no use. It’s far better for me to take a pillow and let things take their course.
Yom River and Wiang Kosai National Park, Sukhothai and Phrae Provinces Good View Mansion........show. After what seems ages, Katoon locates Good View Mansion which is an apartment type. It’s not quite as close to the main street as I would like but at 500 baht with almost all the boxes ticked, I’ll take it. Although still quite early we head out for dinner which means an early return to start my blog but quite honesty it’s not really worth publishing today but there’s more time to focus on tomorrow’s tour list. Next Page.