Saturday 7 October - Bangkok/Chachoengsao/Bangkok
Reunion....... Another weekend has arrived after an interesting end to the week. Yesterday was an important day as my partner's youngest niece graduated from university. The event caused a family reunion culmination in an amazing dinner in Bang Rak, Bangkok. This event has kept me tied to the city this week. However, now with a little more freedom we can leave the city again. I've located a destination which has some interesting attractions as well as satisfying my needs to extend my video library recording railway traffic.
Minburi Market....... It's a late start as we head east from Bang Khen, first arriving at the market in Minburi. This is quite a large and popular district market serving every need you might expect. The interesting thing about this market is that it takes its name from the more popular weekend market at Chatuchak. It's an opportunity to do a little bit of shopping as well as take lunch at this location which offers exceptional value for money.
Chachoengsao Railway Station....... From Minburi we head directly east towards Chachoengsao and of course, a reunion with the railway.
Chachoengsao is a busy station handling Eastern Line passenger services as well as a high volume of freight operating between the Laem Chabang container port and Lat Krabang commercial complex east of Bangkok. On a couple of recent visits to this station I've been disappointed with the lack of traffic that I can record on video. However, almost immediately I arrive there is much activity causing me to stay longer while both passenger and freight trains pass through this station. Also at this station is a Kiha special excursion train which arrived earlier leaving its passengers to explore the city. It's a good start and I must thank my partner for her patience. Naturally I must balance things out and the intention is not to spend the whole day watching trains.
Chachoengsao Old Fort....... While I have been to Chachoengsao before, there is always something new to discover. The next location is close to the Bang Pakong River, one of the rivers in the delta which empties directly into the Gulf of Thailand. Here are the remains of the fort which protected the country from potential invaders. Today only the wall remains. Here a cannon used sit proudly but has since been removed. Located on Maruphong Road, the Chachoengsao City Fort Wall was built in 1794 during the reign of King Nangklao, or King Rama III, with Prince Rakronnaret as a construction supervisor, in order to protect the city of Chachoengsao. After that, in the reign of King Chulalongkorn, or King Rama V, the army used it as the base for suppressing the Ang Yi Rebellion, which consisted of illegal Chinese opium dealers who plundered many areas of the city. In front of the fort wall is a public area where you can get a scenic view of the river.
City Pillar Shrine....... In Thailand, a town's city pillar represents the ethos of the community and provides a focal point for many civic ceremonies and celebrations. Chachoengsao's City Pillar Shrine was ordered built by King Rama III at the same time as the fort.
Crossing the Bang Pakong....... From here we head northeast along the banks of the Bang Pakong River. The idea is to locate the railway bridge which is used by the freight line to Leam Chabang as well as passenger traffic terminating at Ban Plu Ta Luang in Sattahip district which I've covered on a previous tour. The bridge itself is hardly spectacular but it does cross the river which is quite wide here. Parking near the bridge we coincidentally have the opportunity to visit another must see attraction nearby.
Ban Mai Market....... Ban Mai Market is an old market existing in the 19th century. At that time much of the waterways of the delta were used by Chinese traders creating settlements along the riverbanks. Ban Mai Market is a heritage centre which retains the culture and traditions of these traders offering a good selection of products at most reasonable prices. These mostly include local food and traditional souvenirs. During our visit some local people are practicing traditional dance. The ambience of this place is unique in a glorious setting near the river which after recent heavy rain is at quite a high level.
Reminders of the Past....... We turn back the way we came again taking the opportunity to pause near the riverbank where there is ample space for relaxation within view of colonial buildings and the clocktower, a reminder of past. Returning to the fort area there is a Royal Temple.
Wat Pitulathirat Rangsar....... Wat Pitulathirat Rangsar is near the old fort wall and is a temple built during the reign of King Rama III in 1834 along with the construction of the fort by artisans from the capital. The architectural style is similar to the Prang Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok, differing only in subtleties. This temple was originally called Wat Muang but later King Chulalongkorn visited Chachoengsao Province and gave it the new name "Wat Pitulathirajrangsarit", meaning the temple built by the uncle of the God of the land.
Back on Track....... After a most interesting few hours in Chachoengsao we head back to the train station as we know the Kiha 183 excursion train will soon be departing for Bangkok. We arrive just as the tour coaches return to the railway station. I'm expecting a departure time of around 6:00pm but well before that the Kiha has embarked all his passengers and is ready to leave. As mentioned before, this is a busy station and the Kiha must find a slot in the timetable to depart. This happens earlier than I expect which allows normal business to resume. I have to admit that this second visit in conjunction with the earlier one turns out to be extremely productive, more so than anywhere else I can be recall.
The rather unexpected late activity means we leave Chachoengsao after 6:00pm just as dusk arrives allowing us to return to base at a reasonable hour after collecting some provisions.
Reunion....... Another weekend has arrived after an interesting end to the week. Yesterday was an important day as my partner's youngest niece graduated from university. The event caused a family reunion culmination in an amazing dinner in Bang Rak, Bangkok. This event has kept me tied to the city this week. However, now with a little more freedom we can leave the city again. I've located a destination which has some interesting attractions as well as satisfying my needs to extend my video library recording railway traffic.
Minburi Market....... It's a late start as we head east from Bang Khen, first arriving at the market in Minburi. This is quite a large and popular district market serving every need you might expect. The interesting thing about this market is that it takes its name from the more popular weekend market at Chatuchak. It's an opportunity to do a little bit of shopping as well as take lunch at this location which offers exceptional value for money.
Chachoengsao Railway Station....... From Minburi we head directly east towards Chachoengsao and of course, a reunion with the railway.
Chachoengsao is a busy station handling Eastern Line passenger services as well as a high volume of freight operating between the Laem Chabang container port and Lat Krabang commercial complex east of Bangkok. On a couple of recent visits to this station I've been disappointed with the lack of traffic that I can record on video. However, almost immediately I arrive there is much activity causing me to stay longer while both passenger and freight trains pass through this station. Also at this station is a Kiha special excursion train which arrived earlier leaving its passengers to explore the city. It's a good start and I must thank my partner for her patience. Naturally I must balance things out and the intention is not to spend the whole day watching trains.
Chachoengsao Old Fort....... While I have been to Chachoengsao before, there is always something new to discover. The next location is close to the Bang Pakong River, one of the rivers in the delta which empties directly into the Gulf of Thailand. Here are the remains of the fort which protected the country from potential invaders. Today only the wall remains. Here a cannon used sit proudly but has since been removed. Located on Maruphong Road, the Chachoengsao City Fort Wall was built in 1794 during the reign of King Nangklao, or King Rama III, with Prince Rakronnaret as a construction supervisor, in order to protect the city of Chachoengsao. After that, in the reign of King Chulalongkorn, or King Rama V, the army used it as the base for suppressing the Ang Yi Rebellion, which consisted of illegal Chinese opium dealers who plundered many areas of the city. In front of the fort wall is a public area where you can get a scenic view of the river.
City Pillar Shrine....... In Thailand, a town's city pillar represents the ethos of the community and provides a focal point for many civic ceremonies and celebrations. Chachoengsao's City Pillar Shrine was ordered built by King Rama III at the same time as the fort.
Crossing the Bang Pakong....... From here we head northeast along the banks of the Bang Pakong River. The idea is to locate the railway bridge which is used by the freight line to Leam Chabang as well as passenger traffic terminating at Ban Plu Ta Luang in Sattahip district which I've covered on a previous tour. The bridge itself is hardly spectacular but it does cross the river which is quite wide here. Parking near the bridge we coincidentally have the opportunity to visit another must see attraction nearby.
Ban Mai Market....... Ban Mai Market is an old market existing in the 19th century. At that time much of the waterways of the delta were used by Chinese traders creating settlements along the riverbanks. Ban Mai Market is a heritage centre which retains the culture and traditions of these traders offering a good selection of products at most reasonable prices. These mostly include local food and traditional souvenirs. During our visit some local people are practicing traditional dance. The ambience of this place is unique in a glorious setting near the river which after recent heavy rain is at quite a high level.
Reminders of the Past....... We turn back the way we came again taking the opportunity to pause near the riverbank where there is ample space for relaxation within view of colonial buildings and the clocktower, a reminder of past. Returning to the fort area there is a Royal Temple.
Wat Pitulathirat Rangsar....... Wat Pitulathirat Rangsar is near the old fort wall and is a temple built during the reign of King Rama III in 1834 along with the construction of the fort by artisans from the capital. The architectural style is similar to the Prang Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok, differing only in subtleties. This temple was originally called Wat Muang but later King Chulalongkorn visited Chachoengsao Province and gave it the new name "Wat Pitulathirajrangsarit", meaning the temple built by the uncle of the God of the land.
Back on Track....... After a most interesting few hours in Chachoengsao we head back to the train station as we know the Kiha 183 excursion train will soon be departing for Bangkok. We arrive just as the tour coaches return to the railway station. I'm expecting a departure time of around 6:00pm but well before that the Kiha has embarked all his passengers and is ready to leave. As mentioned before, this is a busy station and the Kiha must find a slot in the timetable to depart. This happens earlier than I expect which allows normal business to resume. I have to admit that this second visit in conjunction with the earlier one turns out to be extremely productive, more so than anywhere else I can be recall.
The rather unexpected late activity means we leave Chachoengsao after 6:00pm just as dusk arrives allowing us to return to base at a reasonable hour after collecting some provisions.
Chachoengsao Province
Chachoengsao Railway Station,
Nai Mueang Chachoengsao
Chachoengsao Old Fort,
Nai Mueang Chachoengsao
Bang Pakong River,
Mueang Chachoengsao District
Chachoengsao City Pillar Shrine,
Nai Mueang Chachoengsao
Bang Pakong Rail Bridge,
Nai Mueang Chachoengsao
Ban Mai Market, Nai Mueang Chachoengsao
Brown House Coffee Shop, Ban Mai Market, Nai Mueang Chachoengsao
Chachoengsao Clock Tower,
Nai Mueng Chachoengsao
Wat Pitulathirat Rangsar,
Nai Muaeng Chachoengsao