Introduction Tour 22D
Off Script.......Finally, back in Thailand after Covid for a stay of over two months, my plan was to make the most of things by arranging three major tours supplemented with other opportunities as they presented themselves. With two major tours completed my attention now turns to the third. However, for this one I'm not keeping to the script, making significant changes to what I had in mind, the reason being that I did not want a repeat of such long duration trips which proved to be a little too ambitious. Accordingly, my third trip has been significantly reduced to just 10 days with a couple of short duration trips added instead. The first of these short trips is about to start in the morning but right now there is a distraction.
A Visit to Police.......At 4:00pm we head out for a short trip of 30 minutes for what will be my 4th football game since arriving in Thailand late in September. We are heading for Boonyachinda Stadium in Talad Bang Khen. This stadium is home to Thai Premier League team Police Tero FC and this Sunday evening there is a home fixture with local rivals Bangkok United. Unfortunately, a game which seemed to promise so much isn't the most entertaining. However, well into the second-half the home fans are rewarded with their patience when Police Tero score a fortuitous goal after a shot rebounded off the crossbar. I left this game about 6 minutes before full time simply because it started to rain leaving me to wonder why this particular stadium is mostly open air with no roof covering. Nevertheless, as I continue to try new things, I can scratch another attraction off my list.
Day 1, Monday 14th November - Singburi
Singburi.......Today is the start of a short trip to one of Thailand's central provinces. It's the only central province I've never visited so far. Singburi is just two hours north of Bangkok but there's too much to see in this small province to cover it in one day. Accordingly, we leave prepared for an overnight stay at just after 10am. Midday brings us across the provincial border into Singburi province. It isn't too far to the first stop.
Wat Amphawan.......Wat Amphawan is an ancient temple in Phrom Buri district, Sing Buri province dating back to the Ayutthaya Period. Its name was inscribed in the Chinese language on a stone of the former ordination hall. The popularity of this temple is due to the teaching and wisdoms of the Chief Abbot the Venerable Phra Rajsuddhinanmonkol locally known as Luang Pho Jaran who recently passed away and is at rest in this temple.
Most often from one onsite source or another there is enough information for me to work with but unfortunately not here so I'm grateful to my companion for helping me out with this one.
Maela Plapao.......From this temple we head further north along highway 32 where my companion is aware of a restaurant called Maela Plapao. This restaurant serves fish found in local waters of the Chao Phraya River basin. In particular the red-hybrid Nile tilapia known in the Thai language as pla thapthim ('pomegranate fish' or 'ruby fish'). This type of tilapia is very popular here. Of course, it's a great to sample the local cuisine but has this extended lunch blown me off course? We must get more visits done soon as it's now 3pm.
San Lak Mueang.......Making our way to the next temple site we first locate the City Pillar Shrine (Lak Mueang). I don't remember any city that doesn't have a shrine commemorating the city's foundation. The pillar is believed to be a relic from the day the city was created but for most local people, Lak Mueang is symbolic as their spiritual home. The next temple is to the west of the Chao Phraya River.
Wat Sawang Arom.......Wat Sawang Arom is situated south of the town. It is a centre for Buddha image sculpture. This technique was handed down from the Ban Chang Lo School in Thon Buri. A collection of 300 Nang Yai or shadow play figures at this temple is considered the most complete in Thailand. You need to book a tour to view this collection.
While we are unable to view the shadow puppets there is another reason for our visit to this temple to be cut short. I'm attracted to a live show of Thai classical dance happening in the temple grounds but soon made aware this isn't merely for public entertainment. At some expense, the community here has arranged this special event as part of a funeral ceremony prior to cremation. I can't possibly make a recording of my visit under these circumstances. We must get at least one more visit done today to avoid any congestion tomorrow as we head out of town to another temple.
Wat Phra Non Chakkrasi Worawihan.......Wat Phra Non Chakkrasi Worawihan is a royal temple of the third class. It is believed that the temple predates the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Inside the wihan (or image hall), a large reclining Buddha image is enshrined. This beautiful Sukhothai-styled reclining Buddha image is almost 50 metres long and faces the north. The other two Buddha images are Phra Kan, a gilded stone image, and Phra Kaeo, a seated image in the diamond throne posture. The two sacred images have beautiful features. They were built during the reign of King Rama V to be used as the principal images at oath of allegiance ceremonies for civil servants. In front of the hall are cannonball trees, which holds special significance to Buddhists.
This temple is one of the most important attractions in Singburi and I have to spend enough time at this site to acknowledge the fact and to admire the images. However, there is a sting in the tail: It starts to rain and not just a passing shower. Nevertheless, there is another important site near here and one I can't wait to view.
Wat Na Prathat.......Wat Na Prathat is a temple located in Pra Norn Chak Sri, Muang Singburi District. It used to be called Wat Sri Muang or Wat Hoa Muang until the reign of king Rama IV when it was renamed Wat Na Prathat. It is believed that the temple was sited on the bank of the Chak Sri Creek in the old Town.
The temple is located on a high rectangular 43 by 116 metre mound. It consists of a Prang as the main stupa with a viharn to the east and an ubosot to the west within rectangular boundary walls. The prang was decorated with a Garuda on top off the Naga and Asura. There are also chedis, halls, brick kilns and mortar sites scattered around the area.
According to the archaeological study the temple was supposedly built before the Ayutthaya era; 14th century AD. Subsequently there were many changes to its architecture in terms of its size and decoration right up until the 17th century when war broke out.
Wat Na Prathat was formally announced as a national heritage archaeological site on 8th March 1935. Then, between 1999 and 2000 the government funded renovation of the site.
Home Sweet Home.......Despite my visit during a rainstorm, I'm always fascinated by ancient ruins in Thailand noting their age and type of construction and how they fit in to the web of history. With time moving into late afternoon, it's time to check out our pre booked accommodation for tonight as we head back to highway 32 soon arriving at Sweet Home Resort.
Sweet Home Resort is a bungalow type just a couple of minutes from the main highway and set in farmland. Despite this it's just a short way from a 7Eleven convenience store should that be needed. However, this resort has everything we need including a restaurant and a small shop and of course the convenience of parking right next to room. Interestingly, the room has a flat roof and into evening heavy rain continues causes a thunderous noise above our heads.
Today we've covered some important sites in Singburi but tomorrow we need to work hard to cover as many other attractions as we can, the only restraint being darkness which happens in Thailand around 6:00pm. Returning to Bangkok from here is really straightforward.
Next Page.
Off Script.......Finally, back in Thailand after Covid for a stay of over two months, my plan was to make the most of things by arranging three major tours supplemented with other opportunities as they presented themselves. With two major tours completed my attention now turns to the third. However, for this one I'm not keeping to the script, making significant changes to what I had in mind, the reason being that I did not want a repeat of such long duration trips which proved to be a little too ambitious. Accordingly, my third trip has been significantly reduced to just 10 days with a couple of short duration trips added instead. The first of these short trips is about to start in the morning but right now there is a distraction.
A Visit to Police.......At 4:00pm we head out for a short trip of 30 minutes for what will be my 4th football game since arriving in Thailand late in September. We are heading for Boonyachinda Stadium in Talad Bang Khen. This stadium is home to Thai Premier League team Police Tero FC and this Sunday evening there is a home fixture with local rivals Bangkok United. Unfortunately, a game which seemed to promise so much isn't the most entertaining. However, well into the second-half the home fans are rewarded with their patience when Police Tero score a fortuitous goal after a shot rebounded off the crossbar. I left this game about 6 minutes before full time simply because it started to rain leaving me to wonder why this particular stadium is mostly open air with no roof covering. Nevertheless, as I continue to try new things, I can scratch another attraction off my list.
Day 1, Monday 14th November - Singburi
Singburi.......Today is the start of a short trip to one of Thailand's central provinces. It's the only central province I've never visited so far. Singburi is just two hours north of Bangkok but there's too much to see in this small province to cover it in one day. Accordingly, we leave prepared for an overnight stay at just after 10am. Midday brings us across the provincial border into Singburi province. It isn't too far to the first stop.
Wat Amphawan.......Wat Amphawan is an ancient temple in Phrom Buri district, Sing Buri province dating back to the Ayutthaya Period. Its name was inscribed in the Chinese language on a stone of the former ordination hall. The popularity of this temple is due to the teaching and wisdoms of the Chief Abbot the Venerable Phra Rajsuddhinanmonkol locally known as Luang Pho Jaran who recently passed away and is at rest in this temple.
Most often from one onsite source or another there is enough information for me to work with but unfortunately not here so I'm grateful to my companion for helping me out with this one.
Maela Plapao.......From this temple we head further north along highway 32 where my companion is aware of a restaurant called Maela Plapao. This restaurant serves fish found in local waters of the Chao Phraya River basin. In particular the red-hybrid Nile tilapia known in the Thai language as pla thapthim ('pomegranate fish' or 'ruby fish'). This type of tilapia is very popular here. Of course, it's a great to sample the local cuisine but has this extended lunch blown me off course? We must get more visits done soon as it's now 3pm.
San Lak Mueang.......Making our way to the next temple site we first locate the City Pillar Shrine (Lak Mueang). I don't remember any city that doesn't have a shrine commemorating the city's foundation. The pillar is believed to be a relic from the day the city was created but for most local people, Lak Mueang is symbolic as their spiritual home. The next temple is to the west of the Chao Phraya River.
Wat Sawang Arom.......Wat Sawang Arom is situated south of the town. It is a centre for Buddha image sculpture. This technique was handed down from the Ban Chang Lo School in Thon Buri. A collection of 300 Nang Yai or shadow play figures at this temple is considered the most complete in Thailand. You need to book a tour to view this collection.
While we are unable to view the shadow puppets there is another reason for our visit to this temple to be cut short. I'm attracted to a live show of Thai classical dance happening in the temple grounds but soon made aware this isn't merely for public entertainment. At some expense, the community here has arranged this special event as part of a funeral ceremony prior to cremation. I can't possibly make a recording of my visit under these circumstances. We must get at least one more visit done today to avoid any congestion tomorrow as we head out of town to another temple.
Wat Phra Non Chakkrasi Worawihan.......Wat Phra Non Chakkrasi Worawihan is a royal temple of the third class. It is believed that the temple predates the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Inside the wihan (or image hall), a large reclining Buddha image is enshrined. This beautiful Sukhothai-styled reclining Buddha image is almost 50 metres long and faces the north. The other two Buddha images are Phra Kan, a gilded stone image, and Phra Kaeo, a seated image in the diamond throne posture. The two sacred images have beautiful features. They were built during the reign of King Rama V to be used as the principal images at oath of allegiance ceremonies for civil servants. In front of the hall are cannonball trees, which holds special significance to Buddhists.
This temple is one of the most important attractions in Singburi and I have to spend enough time at this site to acknowledge the fact and to admire the images. However, there is a sting in the tail: It starts to rain and not just a passing shower. Nevertheless, there is another important site near here and one I can't wait to view.
Wat Na Prathat.......Wat Na Prathat is a temple located in Pra Norn Chak Sri, Muang Singburi District. It used to be called Wat Sri Muang or Wat Hoa Muang until the reign of king Rama IV when it was renamed Wat Na Prathat. It is believed that the temple was sited on the bank of the Chak Sri Creek in the old Town.
The temple is located on a high rectangular 43 by 116 metre mound. It consists of a Prang as the main stupa with a viharn to the east and an ubosot to the west within rectangular boundary walls. The prang was decorated with a Garuda on top off the Naga and Asura. There are also chedis, halls, brick kilns and mortar sites scattered around the area.
According to the archaeological study the temple was supposedly built before the Ayutthaya era; 14th century AD. Subsequently there were many changes to its architecture in terms of its size and decoration right up until the 17th century when war broke out.
Wat Na Prathat was formally announced as a national heritage archaeological site on 8th March 1935. Then, between 1999 and 2000 the government funded renovation of the site.
Home Sweet Home.......Despite my visit during a rainstorm, I'm always fascinated by ancient ruins in Thailand noting their age and type of construction and how they fit in to the web of history. With time moving into late afternoon, it's time to check out our pre booked accommodation for tonight as we head back to highway 32 soon arriving at Sweet Home Resort.
Sweet Home Resort is a bungalow type just a couple of minutes from the main highway and set in farmland. Despite this it's just a short way from a 7Eleven convenience store should that be needed. However, this resort has everything we need including a restaurant and a small shop and of course the convenience of parking right next to room. Interestingly, the room has a flat roof and into evening heavy rain continues causes a thunderous noise above our heads.
Today we've covered some important sites in Singburi but tomorrow we need to work hard to cover as many other attractions as we can, the only restraint being darkness which happens in Thailand around 6:00pm. Returning to Bangkok from here is really straightforward.
Next Page.
Boonyachinda Stadium, Khet Bang Khen, Bangkok Metropolis
Wat Amphawan, Prom Buri District
Chao Phraya River, Prom Buri District
Maeka Prapao Restaurant,
Mueang Singburi District
San Lak Mueang, Nai Mueang Singburi
Wat Sawang Arom, Nai Mueang Singburi
Wat Phra Non Chakkrasi Worawihan,
Nai Mueang Singburi
Wat Na Phrathat, Mueang Singburi District