Chantaburi - Laem Singh

Apart from Chao Lao beach, Chantaburi has many interesting sites to visit near Laem Singh, e.g., a local version of Seaworld, Khuk Khi Kai (chicken shit prison), temples, waterfalls, and a maritime museum. One of the most famous waterfalls is Phliu. The water falls 20 meters and at the foot of the waterfall, there is a pyramid and a statue in memory of King Rama V's beloved queen who drowned in a boating accident on the Chao Phraya River. 

A concrete path leads to the waterfall - passing places where you can feed veggies to gluttonous fish - but there are also nature trails in the area surrounding the waterfall (Phliu National Park).


One the road to Phliu, you can turn right off onto a small road  right. After you reach Wat Khao Ta Nim from where you used to be able to walk 400 meters up a hill to see a precariously balanced huge rock that is shaped like an old Chinese merchant ship. So, the rock is called Hin Sumpao Jeen. But last I was there, they had cut down all the vegetation on the hillside and seemed about to plant rubber trees, so now it may be that you will have to trek across somebody's plantation.

At the mouth of the road leading to Phliu (i.e., on Sukhumvit Road), you can stop and visit Wat Mangkon Buppharam to see a temple in Chinese style architecture. 

Chantaburi - Khao Khitchakut

Khao Khitchakut is one of Thailand's smallest national parks, but has a some wildlife (including barking deer and gaur), nature trails as well as a couple of waterfalls like Khrathing Watefall, which is seen from a distance in this picture. 


However, for two months each year, the park's Phrabat Mountain (just over 1,000 meters tall with a big rock at the top) is the destination for thousands and thousands of pilgrims that converge every day during those two months in order to hike to the summit to pray at Buddha's footprint.

Common wisdom has it that if you can make it to the top, you will be granted a wish. However, now that so many is doing this pilgrimage, hear-say has it that now you have to make at least three pilgrimages before a wish is granted.
As could be expected, this pilgrimage has developed into a major business for the locals. They will charge fees for parking space at the foot of the mountain. You are told you cannot drive yourself and the wonders of monopoly ensures that the locals offering to drive you up can charge an arm and a leg for the 3-4 km ride. After that, then you have to hike for another 3 km to reach the top. 

Since there are so many cramming in on the trail, it is the crowd and not the steepness that limits your progress. So, a round-trip pilgrimage can take 6-10 hours leaving you quite exhausted or at least exasperated when you're finally back at your parked car. 

If you continue further up north towards Sa Kaeo Province, you'll find Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary and the16-level Nam Tok Khao Soi Dao. Before that, you can stop near Pong Nam Ron to see a hot spring.

Bangkok - Father's Day 2011

His Royal Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday is December 5th. Each year, Thais celebrate that in a big way, e.g., with boat processions, singing contests, decorative lights on main thoroughfares etc.

For the first time in many many years, access to the Royal Palace Grounds and to Wat Phra Kaew was open during evening hours. Thousands of Bangkokians turned up to enjoy the spectacular sights.

This year, HRM the King turned 84 and thus started a new 7-year cycle.

I took a few snapshots in palace grounds and around Sanam Luang on December 7th. Below is link to my blog from last year.

http://tinamue.blogspot.com/2010/12/bangkok-fathers-day.html

Rayong - Khao Chamao

Khao Chamao and Khao Wong National Park are located in Klaeng District.  3-4 km from entrance to Khao Chamao, you can find the Klong Pla Kang waterfall. It is a lot more impressive and beautiful than Khao Chamao waterfall, but it is also rather difficult to reach. During the rainy season, the access road gets so muddy and slippery that the rangers often don't allow people to enter.



Khao Chamao waterfall is the most famous and visited attraction. Turn off the highway (Sukhumvit Road) at km 274 and continue for around 16 kilometers. The waterfall has seven levels and reaching the top levels requires ascending on a very rocky trail. The rocks can get very slippery during the rainy season, so the rangers often block the trail at level 5.


There are of course various types of trees and plants, but what surprised me was the information that this (relatively) small patch of forest is the last remaining old-growth forest on the Eastern Seaboard.


At the second level (called "Wang Mutcha") there is a pond, which is brimming with fish. They have become icons of this waterfall and it is a must for visitors to feed them.

If you are allowed to enter and park, ahead awaits a sturdy walk through the forest followed by a relatively steep climb up the mountain. Steep and slippery - one rainy day, I fell on the rocks and hurt my back. One of the occasions where an afternoon spent in front of the TV seemed a better option.


If you have the time and the stamina to do the climbs, however, a visit to Khao Chamao national park will reward you with a good feel of exploring a real rain forest where you may run into real "wildlife" like the little bugger pictured to the right. 


After the climbs, there is a wonderful beach about 10 km from Laem Mae Phim (in direction of Ban Phe), which is relatively deserted.