Day 5, Sunday 19th March - Surat Thani
More in the City.......This morning we seem to be more organized possibly due to the extra comfort of staying in a hotel. It means we can get a better start this morning. However, it's also a leap of faith since we have made no plans regarding this evening’s accommodation. Having covered districts quite close to the city of Surat Thani over the last couple of days we plan to extend that further today but not before we've covered more of the city. Our first visit is just a short distance from the hotel.
Wat Pattanaram....... Pattanaram Temple is located in the Talat (Market) district of the city. It was founded around 1896. Luang Pho Pat Naratoe held a ceremony marking the sacred boundary in 1901 although it was not registered until December 2001. The main features are the ubosot, a decorated Buddha image in the Subduing Mara posture flanked by two decorated Buddha images in the attitude of carrying an alms bowl in the posture of stopping a rainstorm, a mural painting about Buddhas biography over the ubosot's panes and 8 boundary marker pavilions outside the ubosot. The ubosot was completed in 1897. Up until 1932 the temple held the ceremony of taking the oath of allegiance to the government. Another large temple further to the south is on the Ta Pi riverbank.
Wat Phothawas....... Phothawas temple is another temple brought to fame by a former Abbott. In this case Luang Pho Ghlom Nanta who was active at the end of the 19th century. in the 10th lunar month, the temple holds a Chak Phra Ceremony (robe offering) and a long boat race. The boat of Wat Phothawas has never been defeated. It is said that Ghlom would stand by the water's edge to take control of all the crocodiles that were abundant in the canal. This temple is also famous for a rare amulet.
Street Art....... Finally, before we leave the city near the night market there is a good example of street art and a more than century old arch.
Bueng Khun Thale....... We now head south locating Bueng Khun Thale, a natural area of swamp that has been tastefully landscaped with walkways and cycleways for recreation. We take lunch beside the lake in a shaded garden setting. It's time to head further out of the city.
One of the reasons I'm here in Surat Thani province is to visit more of its interesting sites. It's the largest province in southern Thailand and I can't say I know it that well. Oddly, we now head to a part of the province I have visited before but the area is so stunningly beautiful that inevitably there are some popular attractions we have missed.
Ban Nam Rad Headwaters Forest....... We head into Khiri Rat Nikhom District and to Ban Nam Rad Headwaters Forest. Here there is boating and swimming in clear, natural pools surrounded by tropical foliage & twisting vines. This attraction is particularly busy currently, being a Sunday. The headwater is fed by water running of the limestone mountain cliffs creating a river that eventually flows into the Ta Pi.
For me today this is a great photo opportunity, but it also provides a chance for me to get on board one of the small boats and head along the river surrounded by tropical forest. Despite having to pay the higher fee of 150 baht I would strongly recommend this to anybody, especially children.
We now head into Ban Ta Khun District and arrive at the small but elegant viharn at Wat Khao Phang. The main natural attraction is right opposite.
Khao Teppitak Suspension Bridge and Viewpoint....... Ban Ta Khun is the district that contains the massive and stunningly beautiful Cheow Lan Lake. However, I've already visited this lake and despite the temptation for a revisit we content ourselves today to visit a viewpoint.
In Thai this location reads 'Sapan Kwaen Phu Khao Roop Hua Jai' (suspension bridge and heart shaped mountain), a steel suspension bridge with concrete supports creating another great photo opportunity with the gorge below winding its way to the Rajjaprabha Dam. I live to regret that I didn't allocate an extra hour to view the Cheow Lan Lake but as things stand, we need to find accommodation.
The Lephant Hotel....... We head into Ban Tha Khun but draw a blank as regards finding something suitable and head back towards Surat Thani, finally settling for The Lephant Hotel close to HWY 41. This hotel has been used by us before on a previous trip south, so we know what to expect. So thankfully, they have rooms available and a noodle shop nearby. Tomorrow, we must think about the return journey to Bangkok. However, should the opportunity arise there is still more to see in Surat Thani province.
Next Page.
More in the City.......This morning we seem to be more organized possibly due to the extra comfort of staying in a hotel. It means we can get a better start this morning. However, it's also a leap of faith since we have made no plans regarding this evening’s accommodation. Having covered districts quite close to the city of Surat Thani over the last couple of days we plan to extend that further today but not before we've covered more of the city. Our first visit is just a short distance from the hotel.
Wat Pattanaram....... Pattanaram Temple is located in the Talat (Market) district of the city. It was founded around 1896. Luang Pho Pat Naratoe held a ceremony marking the sacred boundary in 1901 although it was not registered until December 2001. The main features are the ubosot, a decorated Buddha image in the Subduing Mara posture flanked by two decorated Buddha images in the attitude of carrying an alms bowl in the posture of stopping a rainstorm, a mural painting about Buddhas biography over the ubosot's panes and 8 boundary marker pavilions outside the ubosot. The ubosot was completed in 1897. Up until 1932 the temple held the ceremony of taking the oath of allegiance to the government. Another large temple further to the south is on the Ta Pi riverbank.
Wat Phothawas....... Phothawas temple is another temple brought to fame by a former Abbott. In this case Luang Pho Ghlom Nanta who was active at the end of the 19th century. in the 10th lunar month, the temple holds a Chak Phra Ceremony (robe offering) and a long boat race. The boat of Wat Phothawas has never been defeated. It is said that Ghlom would stand by the water's edge to take control of all the crocodiles that were abundant in the canal. This temple is also famous for a rare amulet.
Street Art....... Finally, before we leave the city near the night market there is a good example of street art and a more than century old arch.
Bueng Khun Thale....... We now head south locating Bueng Khun Thale, a natural area of swamp that has been tastefully landscaped with walkways and cycleways for recreation. We take lunch beside the lake in a shaded garden setting. It's time to head further out of the city.
One of the reasons I'm here in Surat Thani province is to visit more of its interesting sites. It's the largest province in southern Thailand and I can't say I know it that well. Oddly, we now head to a part of the province I have visited before but the area is so stunningly beautiful that inevitably there are some popular attractions we have missed.
Ban Nam Rad Headwaters Forest....... We head into Khiri Rat Nikhom District and to Ban Nam Rad Headwaters Forest. Here there is boating and swimming in clear, natural pools surrounded by tropical foliage & twisting vines. This attraction is particularly busy currently, being a Sunday. The headwater is fed by water running of the limestone mountain cliffs creating a river that eventually flows into the Ta Pi.
For me today this is a great photo opportunity, but it also provides a chance for me to get on board one of the small boats and head along the river surrounded by tropical forest. Despite having to pay the higher fee of 150 baht I would strongly recommend this to anybody, especially children.
We now head into Ban Ta Khun District and arrive at the small but elegant viharn at Wat Khao Phang. The main natural attraction is right opposite.
Khao Teppitak Suspension Bridge and Viewpoint....... Ban Ta Khun is the district that contains the massive and stunningly beautiful Cheow Lan Lake. However, I've already visited this lake and despite the temptation for a revisit we content ourselves today to visit a viewpoint.
In Thai this location reads 'Sapan Kwaen Phu Khao Roop Hua Jai' (suspension bridge and heart shaped mountain), a steel suspension bridge with concrete supports creating another great photo opportunity with the gorge below winding its way to the Rajjaprabha Dam. I live to regret that I didn't allocate an extra hour to view the Cheow Lan Lake but as things stand, we need to find accommodation.
The Lephant Hotel....... We head into Ban Tha Khun but draw a blank as regards finding something suitable and head back towards Surat Thani, finally settling for The Lephant Hotel close to HWY 41. This hotel has been used by us before on a previous trip south, so we know what to expect. So thankfully, they have rooms available and a noodle shop nearby. Tomorrow, we must think about the return journey to Bangkok. However, should the opportunity arise there is still more to see in Surat Thani province.
Next Page.
Surat Thani Province
Ta Ti River in Surat Thani
Wat Pattanaram, Mueang Surat Thani
Wat Phothawas, Mueang Surat Thani
Street Art, Mueang Surat Thani
Old City, Mueang Surat Thani
Bueang Khun Tale, Makham Tia,
Mueang Surat Thani
Isan Kiangbueng Restaurant, Bueng Khun Tale, Makham Tia, Mueang Surat Thani
Ban Nam Rad Headwaters Forest, Ban Tham Niap, Khiri Rat Nikhom District
Wat Khao Phang, Ban Tha Khun District
Khao Teppitak Suspension Bridge,
Ban Tha Khun District