Thailand, Sukhothai 2

Thailand, Sukhothai

12 hour combination train and road trip to get here from Lopburi. And the only reason to visit Sokhothai is the 13th
Century UNESCO World Hertage Site historical park containing the ruins of the ancient city of that name. And whilst it is perhaps better preseved in places, I must say I found the ruins of the ancient city of Ayutthaya more engaging. Nonetheless an enjoyable day. There are actually 5 sites within the park and I took a bike around the central zone, considered the main zone containing the most impressive ruins. Managed a swim in the hotel pool later this afternoon. Beasted myself! Much needed!! Would I do both Ayutthaya and Sokhothai given their similarities and what I know of them now? I think so. Up to Chiang Mai by bus tomorrow. Five and a half hours all being well. My final stop in Thailand. Regarded as the capital of the north and from where I will fly to Mandalay later in the week to begin my month in Burma as we Brits continue to call it!!

Thailand, Lopburi

Thailand, Lopburi

Three mentions and two of them highlights from my day in Lopburi, another of Thailands oldest cities. The mention goes to Prang Sam Yot, the ruins of a 13th century budhist temple now home to a huge resident troop of monkies. The first highlight, undoubtedly King Nari's Palace, also home to the city's museum, with some fabulous artefacts. And right up there too was a pillion ride on the back of a police motorbike between the two. I asked for directions and he gave me a lift!!
Moving further north to Sukothai tomorrow. Will take most of the day I imagine.
G x

Thailand, Khorat to Lopburi

OK, so I booked on a bus to take me from Khorat to Lopburi. 16 seat.er minibus which they use a lot over here. Seemed simple enough. The bus was only half full so plenty of room all round. Result! But two minutes out of the bus station the driver pulls over to the kerb and suddenly the bus is full. Funny thing was that none of them had tickets and each and everyone of the new passengers paid the driver 20 baht (about 40p) to get on.
So my rucksack and day sack are suddenly on my lap and the air con starts to struggle!! And as the journey continued so  this carried on. And as people were dropped off and a space was created, he simply picked someone else up. People just stood on the side of the road and flagged him down. I kid you not, he must have turned over at least 80 if not a 100 people. But let's say 50 for calculation purposes equals a 1000 baht,  equals 20 quid. A day! 6 days a week that's a 120 quid.  The drivers sole intention once he was out of sight of the bus station was to make as much money on the side as he could. And quite honestly it went like clockwork. People on and off as smooth as you like and no deviation from the route whatsoever . The other funny thing was that when we pulled into the bus station at Lopburi only the original passengers were left on the bus!! And he wasn't the only one, they were all at it!! Interestingly, and bearing in mind that I have grossly underestimated the figure, I understand that what this driver gets in his back pocket each week is what an average bus driver can expect to earn in a month. Good scam eh!!  And having spent a considerable part of the journey observing bus driver behaviour along the route, lastly I would say that if you at all nervous about being in a bus with a driver who has no regard for passenger safety at all, perhaps Thai buses are not for you!! Out and about in Lopburi tomorrow!
Much love,
Glen

Thailand, Khorat (Nachon Ratchasima)

What to say about Thailands second biggest city. It doesn't celebrate Freedom day! I was expecting some sort of spectacle. Apart from a few fireworks - nothing. I did hear that the government had banned sending lanterns into the sky - the traditional method of celebration - for safety reasons. How true I dont know. Anyway, a huge wet squib!  Also, not a tourist attraction or tourist in sight! If I saw three other Caucasians all day, that was it!  In that respect, and after Bangkok, it was good to see a Thai city in the raw! It does have one claim to fame; Thao Suranari, or 'grandma Mo', who allegedly led a rebellion against Siam. The story goes that she convinced the women to seduce the invading soldiers while the men launched a successful surprise attack to regain the city!  For which she is now enshrined in the city centre!! Couldn't believe how many Thais were burning incense and offering gifts there. She appears hugely popular! Otherwise, some attempt to define the centre with a focal point, a large mall, shops and markets aplenty, and street vendors galore. I don't  know how the income tax system works over here but tracking market and street vendors must be a challenge! So all very Thai really. Off to the ancient town of Lopburi tomorrow on the bus. About 4 hours west of here. Also called monkey town, and rumour has it they will pinch anything!! The city celebrates its  resident monkeys during the last week in November so might get a party in yet!

Thailand, Ayutthaya to Khorat (Khoran Ratchasima)

When I traveled from Bankok to Ayutthaya on the train,  unbeknown to me at the time, I bought a 3rd class ticket. It cost  20 baht - about 40p!! Got on the train, sat down and thought this is ok. Comfortable, upholstered seat, air con and fans to blow the cool air around! Five minutes later the conductor came round and moved me to where I should have been sitting!! Hard, plasic, moulded chairs, minimum 30 degrees and fans blowing hot air around!! Tried to upgrade but couldnt. It was only for 2 hours so no big deal and quite an experience. Bought a 2nd class ticket to travel today so got the air con etc, etc. Ok the journey time was an hour longer but the cost of the ticket was 300 baht - £5.50. Cheap as chips for someone like me but a huge difference for someone that only earns  a couple of quid a day!! I suppose looking at it positively, it enables the general public to move around a large  country at a very affordable price. Would have taken a shot or two of the countryside from the train but the windows were almost opaque where I was sitting!!
Gx

Thailand, Ayutthaya 3

More general pictures from the day. Will leave Ayutthaya tomorrow for Nakhon Ratchasima, also known as Khorat. A bit off the usual tourist track.  About a 3 hour train ride to the east of here. Its a large city and I'm going there for no more reason than to have a look!! Will be there for Thailands Freedom/Lantern Day (25th November)!

Thailand, Ayutthaya 3

Hired a pedal bike and went on a long tail boat trip around the town. Some general pictutes from the day.

Thailand, Ayutthaya 2

These pictures are from a site adjacent to the former royal palace, of which, unfortunately, nothing now remains. I requested the picture with the small group of young acolytes who were pleased to oblige. One of them in return requested a picture with me!! I couldn't believe how thrilled he was. Perhaps it was because I was wearing my golf cap from the 2014 British Open and he thought I was a player!!

Thailand, Ayutthaya

Took the train to Ayutthaya this morning, about 60 miles or so north of Bangkok. It was the capital of what is now Thailand in the 1300s and home to some 1,000,000 inhabitants at that time! Unfortunately it was trashed by the Burmese in the mid 1700s being all but raised to the ground. The new city has been built along side the old,  with the ancient remains now contained in what they call a historic park. The remains are very impressive indeed and one can only imagine how spectaculer the old city must have.

Thailand, Bangkok 10

Khaosyn Road Area.

Thailand, Bangkok 9

Well last day in Bangkok today and unfortunately things didn't go according to plan. I had already decided to stick with the palace and drop the canal trip in favour of the khaosyn Road area. Got to the Grand Palace and it was closed. You could access the palace surrounds, but not the buildings themselves.  Which was the whole point really. The other thing was that I got there and you had to wear long trousers, and yours truly was in shorts. I could have hired some but all things considered, the queues in particular, I looked from afar and moved on. I took a couple of distance shots but theyre not up to much. So Khaosyn Road then! A plethora of hostels, bars, restauarants, massage parlours and street vendors. A backpacker paradise. And buzzing! A really good  experience and a great place to sit and people watch with a cold beer!
Bangkok overall? Certainly glad I came and wouldn't have missed it. But....it hasn't really done it for me and, unlike a number of capital cities I have had the pleasure if visiting, I wouldnt go out of my way to come back.
So time to move on. 11.20 train north, from Bangkok to Ayutthaya tomorrow. The ancient capital of Thailand!!
What I could get of the palace and some general pics of the Khaosyn Road area attached.
G x

Thailand, Bangkok 8

A small insight into the more rural life led by some Thai peoole.