Monday 3rd December

Heading south........Yesterday I was a bit concerned as my right leg was quite swollen as it is prone to do now in the heat. I've really been spending much longer than planned without air conditioning. It's time to make a move. My plan is to spend at least a week in the south. Other than that there is no plan I'm simply going to ad-lib it although up until today Trang was top of the list as a starting point. I had considered flying to Trang but still undecided I couldn’t get a good rate at short notice. Neither do I feel like making the long journey by bus, train or van in one go. By 9am I’ve made a decision to compromise. I’m heading for Prachuap Kiri Khan Province with a vague plan to stay in the area of Ban Krut known for its beautiful beaches. How to get there? I’ve ruled out the minivan. Although the quickest way, I just don’t like the idea of spending four hours in cramped condition with my leg still a bit swollen. I could take a tour bus but that means a long journey across town to the Southern bus terminal in Borom Ratchani Road. The train is the slowest method but the timetable I have confirms that there is a train leaving Hua Lamphong at 13.00 arriving at Ban Krut at 19.28. However it would be easier to catch this train at Bang Sue at 13.33. By 11am I am on my way.
Bang Sue Junction……..I arrive at Bang Sue by taxi well before departure time but at the ticket office my lack of forward planning begins to tell. Part of the adventure, the romance perhaps of travelling in Thailand is being able to adapt, to be resourceful. The 171 Rapid Service to Sungai Kolok is fully booked. Fortunately there is a plan B which has just been invented. Waiting in Bang Sue station is a service to Prachup Kiri Khan presently without an engine. This is the 251 Ordinary Service. Checking my older version of the timetable I don’t see this service departing from Bang Sue. It’s clear my timetable is out of date. The 251 Service is shown as departing from Thonburi station so I’m fortunate things have changed as the original service would not have passed through Bang Sue. Also fortunate is the fact that I did not book in advance any accommodation in Ban Krut. Although not too far from Prachuap it’s unlikely I’d find transport in the evening to Ban Krut. I’ll find accommodation in the town. Departure time is listed as 12.40 arriving 19.20 at Prachuap Kiri Khan. However I have noted this is an Ordinary Service which means it is a stop train just about everywhere and consists of 3rd class coaches only. The upside is the price; just 58 baht for the six and a half hour journey!....... (cont. on Page 2)