Day 2, 6 November - Trat
Settling In....... For a change there's not much to say about our accommodation at Paradiso Resort just that the bungalows are clean and functional as they should be. Now I'm in Trat what is the plan? Well, the weekend football activity hasn't ended and tonight there is a Thai Premier Leage game here, but I've planned to be here for the rest of the week. A second reason to be here is to take a break and just relax for a change. Apart from tonight's game I've planned nothing today. Let's just see what nothing looks like. We first head out of town soon arriving at an old temple.
Wat Si Buraparam....... Wat Si Buraparam is the oldest temple remaining in Trat Province dating from the reign of Phrachao Phasat Thong c. 1648 A.D. in the Ayutthaya Period. It went under restoration in the reign of King Rama V and has now been established as a museum in collaboration with the villagers who help keep the grounds beautifully landscaped. The museum comes under the 5th Regional Office of the Fine Arts Department based in Prachinburi. We now head west towards Nong Sano where we hope to see a Buddha in the water.
Pracham Nam Khao Rakam....... Khao Rakam Reservoir is a source of water from Khao Rakam and a raw water source for water supply in Trat Province. It is an eco-tourism attraction because it is waterfowl habitat and as a place for recreation and exercise for the people. The feature of this reservoir is the white Buddha image standing on a base at the water's edge. The full image though can only be seen during the dry season. Right now, the water in the reservoir is quite high and only the head and shoulders of the Buddha are visible.
For this visit to Trat I haven't prepared a list of attractions. There is no rush at the moment and I'm trying to fill in gaps left from previous visits. Searching as we go; we head for an attraction at the edge of the mangrove.
The Bridge to Test Your Willingness....... The Bridge to Test Your Willingness is an iconic footbridge over the Nam Chiao River. While I've visited Nam Chiao Mangrove Forest before I don't remember the bridge. There is a small Muslim community here which provides local products. It also provides boat trips through the mangrove with the boat costing 400 baht.
Ban Tha Ranae Community....... We return back to local road 3155 and continue south heading for the Trat River Estuary locating a community beside the mangrove forest. It's a nice place to stop and have a look around. Then, as is usually the case, Katoon gets chatting, this time with a man who turns out to be the village head. He is also a boatman and that opens the door again for a trip through the mangrove, but not today due to unfavourable tides. Katoon confirms our interest by noting the villager's phone number. There is something in the mangrove that we should see but we need to wait a day or two. The next location gives us a first view of the ocean.
Laem Ko Pu Lighthouse....... The odd white structure at Laem Ko Pu (crab island) doesn't look like any lighthouse I know and seems to be obsolete. However, it's worth spending a moment here just for the views of the Trat River Estuary and the wonderful views east towards Cambodia. We turn back and look for some lunch finding T. Silaas Home kitchen a nice restaurant on the edge of a lovely clear pond.
It's a late lunch and while we could find more to do any other ideas are spoilt by a thunderstorm. Back at the room an afternoon nap is most welcome for a change. Of course, we need to go out again later to accomplish what we came for.
Trat City Pillar Shrine....... At 4.30pm we head out again stopping at the Trat City Pillar Shrine. Structurally, Trat City Pillar Shrine is noticeably different to those found in Thailand's other cities, in that the building sports a Chinese-style roof. The shrine was sanctioned to be built by King Thaksin the Great when he assembled his independent troops at Trat in order to protect and save the city and restore peace and order. The city pillar shrine is a symbol of the bond between China and Thailand and there are regular Chinese-style celebrations held one month after Chinese New Year. So now it's time for football.
Trat Municipal Stadium....... We arrive at the Trat Municipal Stadium early so parking is not an issue. As expected, there are less facilities here especially in terms of catering but at least you can take food and drinks into the ground. We pay 150 baht here which is more than at most stadiums, but all the stands are covered which is good news with so much rain about.
Trat FC and Muang Thong United....... Today's game between Trat FC and Muang Thong United who play just outside Bangkok is between two mid-table teams who appear to be evenly matched. That proves to be the case as we get underway. Muang Thong are playing a patient game with better possession in midfield, but Trat is more direct and look dangerous going forward. On 40 minutes, patience pays off and Muang Thong score from open play. A beautifully flighted cross finds Stefan Scepovic at the far post who drives in a powerful header. It's 1 : 0 to the visitors at half time.
The second half starts in much the same way, but Trat gradually build up pressure and are denied a goal after a VAR review due to a foul in the box. This only drives Trat on more and Muang Thong's goalkeeper pulls off a couple of spectacular saves as Trat win corner after corner. With the end of the game approaching, Trat become more desperate and lose some composure. They won't score this way. The game ends with frustration for a decent crowd and Muang Thong take the points and move above Trat in the table. So, I've watched two games this weekend, both away team wins. It brings the total of grounds currently in this league I've visited to 13.
Next Page.
Settling In....... For a change there's not much to say about our accommodation at Paradiso Resort just that the bungalows are clean and functional as they should be. Now I'm in Trat what is the plan? Well, the weekend football activity hasn't ended and tonight there is a Thai Premier Leage game here, but I've planned to be here for the rest of the week. A second reason to be here is to take a break and just relax for a change. Apart from tonight's game I've planned nothing today. Let's just see what nothing looks like. We first head out of town soon arriving at an old temple.
Wat Si Buraparam....... Wat Si Buraparam is the oldest temple remaining in Trat Province dating from the reign of Phrachao Phasat Thong c. 1648 A.D. in the Ayutthaya Period. It went under restoration in the reign of King Rama V and has now been established as a museum in collaboration with the villagers who help keep the grounds beautifully landscaped. The museum comes under the 5th Regional Office of the Fine Arts Department based in Prachinburi. We now head west towards Nong Sano where we hope to see a Buddha in the water.
Pracham Nam Khao Rakam....... Khao Rakam Reservoir is a source of water from Khao Rakam and a raw water source for water supply in Trat Province. It is an eco-tourism attraction because it is waterfowl habitat and as a place for recreation and exercise for the people. The feature of this reservoir is the white Buddha image standing on a base at the water's edge. The full image though can only be seen during the dry season. Right now, the water in the reservoir is quite high and only the head and shoulders of the Buddha are visible.
For this visit to Trat I haven't prepared a list of attractions. There is no rush at the moment and I'm trying to fill in gaps left from previous visits. Searching as we go; we head for an attraction at the edge of the mangrove.
The Bridge to Test Your Willingness....... The Bridge to Test Your Willingness is an iconic footbridge over the Nam Chiao River. While I've visited Nam Chiao Mangrove Forest before I don't remember the bridge. There is a small Muslim community here which provides local products. It also provides boat trips through the mangrove with the boat costing 400 baht.
Ban Tha Ranae Community....... We return back to local road 3155 and continue south heading for the Trat River Estuary locating a community beside the mangrove forest. It's a nice place to stop and have a look around. Then, as is usually the case, Katoon gets chatting, this time with a man who turns out to be the village head. He is also a boatman and that opens the door again for a trip through the mangrove, but not today due to unfavourable tides. Katoon confirms our interest by noting the villager's phone number. There is something in the mangrove that we should see but we need to wait a day or two. The next location gives us a first view of the ocean.
Laem Ko Pu Lighthouse....... The odd white structure at Laem Ko Pu (crab island) doesn't look like any lighthouse I know and seems to be obsolete. However, it's worth spending a moment here just for the views of the Trat River Estuary and the wonderful views east towards Cambodia. We turn back and look for some lunch finding T. Silaas Home kitchen a nice restaurant on the edge of a lovely clear pond.
It's a late lunch and while we could find more to do any other ideas are spoilt by a thunderstorm. Back at the room an afternoon nap is most welcome for a change. Of course, we need to go out again later to accomplish what we came for.
Trat City Pillar Shrine....... At 4.30pm we head out again stopping at the Trat City Pillar Shrine. Structurally, Trat City Pillar Shrine is noticeably different to those found in Thailand's other cities, in that the building sports a Chinese-style roof. The shrine was sanctioned to be built by King Thaksin the Great when he assembled his independent troops at Trat in order to protect and save the city and restore peace and order. The city pillar shrine is a symbol of the bond between China and Thailand and there are regular Chinese-style celebrations held one month after Chinese New Year. So now it's time for football.
Trat Municipal Stadium....... We arrive at the Trat Municipal Stadium early so parking is not an issue. As expected, there are less facilities here especially in terms of catering but at least you can take food and drinks into the ground. We pay 150 baht here which is more than at most stadiums, but all the stands are covered which is good news with so much rain about.
Trat FC and Muang Thong United....... Today's game between Trat FC and Muang Thong United who play just outside Bangkok is between two mid-table teams who appear to be evenly matched. That proves to be the case as we get underway. Muang Thong are playing a patient game with better possession in midfield, but Trat is more direct and look dangerous going forward. On 40 minutes, patience pays off and Muang Thong score from open play. A beautifully flighted cross finds Stefan Scepovic at the far post who drives in a powerful header. It's 1 : 0 to the visitors at half time.
The second half starts in much the same way, but Trat gradually build up pressure and are denied a goal after a VAR review due to a foul in the box. This only drives Trat on more and Muang Thong's goalkeeper pulls off a couple of spectacular saves as Trat win corner after corner. With the end of the game approaching, Trat become more desperate and lose some composure. They won't score this way. The game ends with frustration for a decent crowd and Muang Thong take the points and move above Trat in the table. So, I've watched two games this weekend, both away team wins. It brings the total of grounds currently in this league I've visited to 13.
Next Page.
Trat Province
Wat Si Buraparam, Wang Krachae,
Mueang Trat District
Pracham Nam Khao Rakam, Nong Sano, Mueang Trat District
The Bridge to Test Your Willingness,
Nam Chieo, Laem Ngop District
Ban Tha Ranae Community, Nong Khan Song, Mueang Trat District
Laem Ko Pu, Nong Khan Song,
Mueang Trat District
City Pillar Shrine, Bang Phra,
Mueang Trat District
Trat Provincial Stadium, Bang Phra,
Mueang Trat District