TrongpaiExpat
July 11th, 2006, 20:48
It was the BF's idea to visit Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan in for Asarnha Bucha. We started out at 0900 at HuaLamphong in Bangkok and took a train to Chachoengsao for 15B. The train was pretty full, but we got seats. Some were padded and others not. No AC but it was an overcast day and with a little rain half way there, the trip was comfortable. That is until two hefty sisters squeezed in next to us. They first ate a dozen or so boiled eggs and then fell asleep using our shoulders as pillows. Unlike bus travel, trains have lots of food and drink options. The map showed the rail line from Bangkok to Chachoengsao pretty much a straight shot. The trip took 2 1/2 hours, very slow moving and many stops. A few stops out of Bangkok and it was standing room only.
The train arrived in the center of town. It was a short tuk tuk ride for 40B to the Wat. The main structure was impressive containing several gold Buddha images. Behind the main Wat is another Wat that is very Chinese looking. I did not get any explanations as to why. The grounds could use some work but nice none the less. Further behind the complex on the river you can take a one hour scenic boat ride. It was nice enough but the non stop commentary from a bad speaker in Thai for the entire hour was a little annoying.
We ate lunch at a place overlooking the river with only a sign in Thai. The place is called something that sounds like Goonnan. It's on the river where the rail line crosses the Bang Pakong River.
We opted for a return via Bus, thinking that at least it guarantees a seat and might be quicker. The bus takes a less direct route but did save about an hour, the price was 74B. The funny thing about the bus station in Chachoengsao is that nothing is in English and the bays are not numbered.. The AC bus to Bangkok is to your left just at the entrance to the station. The bus got to Ekamai in Bangkok.
Chachoengsao is not your usual farang tourist destinations. There are no package group tours and I did not see one Farang all day. If your sick of the usual, and want to go someplace very Thai and not packaged for Farangs, give Chachoengsao, Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan and the boat trip a try.
www.thailandguidebook.com/provinces/chachoengsao.html (http://www.thailandguidebook.com/provinces/chachoengsao.html)
The train arrived in the center of town. It was a short tuk tuk ride for 40B to the Wat. The main structure was impressive containing several gold Buddha images. Behind the main Wat is another Wat that is very Chinese looking. I did not get any explanations as to why. The grounds could use some work but nice none the less. Further behind the complex on the river you can take a one hour scenic boat ride. It was nice enough but the non stop commentary from a bad speaker in Thai for the entire hour was a little annoying.
We ate lunch at a place overlooking the river with only a sign in Thai. The place is called something that sounds like Goonnan. It's on the river where the rail line crosses the Bang Pakong River.
We opted for a return via Bus, thinking that at least it guarantees a seat and might be quicker. The bus takes a less direct route but did save about an hour, the price was 74B. The funny thing about the bus station in Chachoengsao is that nothing is in English and the bays are not numbered.. The AC bus to Bangkok is to your left just at the entrance to the station. The bus got to Ekamai in Bangkok.
Chachoengsao is not your usual farang tourist destinations. There are no package group tours and I did not see one Farang all day. If your sick of the usual, and want to go someplace very Thai and not packaged for Farangs, give Chachoengsao, Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan and the boat trip a try.
www.thailandguidebook.com/provinces/chachoengsao.html (http://www.thailandguidebook.com/provinces/chachoengsao.html)