Now, I have to deal with issue of going to Bang Bumru station and Talingchan Junction along with Krasatsuek bridge over the railway line in a convenient way
Khun STN would like to meet some of those Thai railfans including
Anwar De-ae,
Kittitat Keeratinijakan,
SuperBall Rail Spotter,
Pattarachai Junction (Khun Boy)
Pitakchart Ittisupaset,
Noppanut Teerapongpaibul,
Ms. Kanrawee,
Jean Pechenegs, and
Phanu Arintaeng
on 5 July 2014 at Ban Makham restaurant near Bangsue Junction ... If you cannot come, please notify me. If you can come please answer so I can get the number of railfans. Other people of this list also welcomed.
You can send SMS to Khun STN's mobile phone at 001-65-9449-5587 and His real name "Yuen Shek Ngai" though
After the latest talk, I'm going to have a meeting with Khun STN at 6th floor of MBK (Food Court) this evening (around 7-8 PM) - here is the latest plan - need to cut up section by section
PLANS AND ITINEARY FOR BANGKOK AREA RAIL VISIT 2014
DRAFTED ON 08062014
REVIEWED 11062014, 15062014 (in red), 18062014 (in Blue), 22062014 (in Brown), 30062014 (ORANGE)
FINALISED 02072014 1852PM
SUBJECTED TO CHANGES AT LAST MINUTE
BY TRIP ORGANISER (YUEN SHEK NGAI)
------
TO DO LIST :
1. Hualamphong morning spotting (i.e. 0630 till 0925h, local time, same as below) - DAY 2, DAY 6/8 (EITHER), DAY 10
2. Hualamphong afternoon spotting (1445 to 1810h) - DAY 1, DAY 3, DAY 10
3. Hualamphong night spotting (1825 to 2130h) - DAY 7, DAY 6/8 (EITHER)
4. SAM SEN SPOTTING - DAY 1, DAY 6/8 (EITHER), DAY 10
5. Bangsue morning spotting (0700 to 0850h) - DAY 6/8 (EITHER), DAY 10
6. Bangsue afternoon spotting (2-something pm till 1958h) - DAY 1, DAY 6/8 (EITHER)
7. Visit and/or trainspotting at Thonburi - DAY 9
8. Suvarnabhumi airport visit and also the ride on both the Airport express (red, Makkasan <-> Airport) and airport city shuttle (blue, Makkasan <-> Phaya Thai) - DAY 2
9. BTS Joyride - all lines, preferably daytime - DAY 2, DAY 6/8 (EITHER)
10. BTS Saphan Taksin spotting (see it before it's gone for good) - DAY 2, DAY 5
11. Mahachai AND Maeklong Line visit - ALLOCATE ONE FULL DAY (DAY 5)
12. Visit to Kanchanaburi and Nakhon Pathom (1 full day - intend to schedule it on Saturday so as to take the train 909/910 direct from Hualamphong.) - DAY 4 (Ticket for 909/910 secured for Day 4 the 06072014)
13. Ayutthaya (1 full day) - DAY 7
14. Bangkok / Bangsue 2 <VIA RAMA 6 BRIDGE> BANG BAMRU joyride - DAY 6/8 (EITHER)
15. Trainspotting near Rama VI Bridge - DAY 3 (MORNING), DAY 6/8 AFTERNOON (EITHER)
16. Visit to 3 SRT RED LINE stations :
16A TALING CHAN JUNCTION - DAY 9
16B BANG BAMRU - DAY 6/8 (EITHER)
16C BANG SON - DAY 6/8 (EITHER) - Between BKK-Nonthaburi Road AND Prachachuen Road (parallel to canal)
17. explore inside Bangkok downtown :
17A - YAOWARAT (DAY AND NIGHT) AND PHAHURAT - DAY 2, 6/8 (EITHER), ANY NIGHTTIME DUE TO HOTEL LOCATION
17B - RATTAKONSIN (DAY ONLY) - DAY 9 MORNING
17C - KHAO SAN ROAD (BANGLAMPHU) (OPEN TIMING) - DAY 9 LATE AFTERNOON
17D - PRATUNAM (VICTORY MONUMENT) (DAY ONLY) - DAY 2
17E - SIAM SQUARE (DAY AND NIGHT) - DAY 1 (NIGHT), DAY 2 (DAYTIME)
17F - SILOM (DAY AND NIGHT) - DAY 2 (DAYTIME), DAY 5 (NIGHT)
18. SRI AYUTTHAYA LEVEL CROSSING SPOTTING (CHITLADDA TRIANGLE NORTH EDGE)- DAY 3/4 (EITHER), DAY 10
19. PHETCHABURI ROAD LEVEL CROSSING SPOTTING (CHITLADDA TRIANGLE SOUTH EDGE AND YOMMRAJ/LAN LUANG/PHETCHABURI ROAD INTERSECTION) - DAY 2, DAY 3, DAY 10
20. (ADDED 15062014) VISIT TO SRT HQ - DAY 6/8 (EITHER)
21. (ADDED 18062014) KASATSUEK BRIDGE OVERPASS TRAINSPOTTING (KM 1 FROM BANGKOK HUALAMPHONG) - DAY 6/8 (EITHER)
22. (AMENDED) EASTERN LINE JOYRIDE BANGKOK <-> MAKKASAN <-> KHLONG TAN - DAY 1 EVENING, OR DAY 2, 6/8 (EITHER)
NOTE (02072014) - State Railway Hall of Fame IS CLOSED
List of Non-Rail Attractions For Bangkok and Ayutthaya
Source from Wikivoyage, TAT brochures, Khun Wiz's recommendations
As at 02072014
Visit of each district / town in sequence unless indicated otherwise or necessary to skip
A. Siam Square - Bangkok (CENTRE)
1. Bonanza Mall (National Stadium BTS)
2. MBK Centre (National Stadium BTS) including Tokyu Department Store
3. Siam Centre (Siam BTS)
4. Siam Discovery (Siam BTS)
5. Erawan Shrine (Chit Lom BTS)
6. Amarin Plaza (Chit Lom BTS)
7. Central Chidlom (Chit Lom BTS)
8. CentralWorld (Chit Lom BTS)
9. Erawan Bangkok Mall (Chit Lom BTS)
B. Sukhumvit - Bangkok (EAST)
1. Terminal 21 (Asok BTS)
2. Emporium (Phrom Phong BTS)
3. Nana Square (Nana BTS)
4. Ploenchit Centre (Phloen Chit BTS)
5. Khlong Toei Market (Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre MRT)
C. Silom - Bangkok (SOUTH)
1. Chamchuri Square (Sam Yan MRT)
2. Lumphini Park (Silom MRT)
3. Central Mall (Sala Daeng BTS)
4. Silom Complex (Sala Daeng BTS)
5. Robot Building (outside only - BTS Surasak)
6. Bangkokian Museum (Saphan Taksin BTS -> Boat to Tha Si Phraya)
7. (OPTIONAL) East Asiatic Company Building / Old Customs House (Saphan Taksin BTS -> Boat to Oriental Pier)
8. Bangkok GPO (Saphan Taksin BTS)
D. Rattanakosin - Bangkok (CENTRE/WEST) - come in by Bus 25
1. King Rama VII Museum
2. Wat Saket (Golden Mount)
3. Wat Suthat
4. Giant Swing
5. Museum Siam
6. Wat Pho
7. Grand Palace / Wat Phra Kaeo (to see from outside only)
8. City Pillar Shrine
9. National Museum @ Front Palace
10. Sanam Luang
11. Tha Phrachan
(Boat from Saphan Taksin BTS to Tha Chang is 30 mins)
E. Khao San Road - Bangkok (WEST)
Get in by Road Transport or Boat (Wang Lang@Siriraj TO Phra Arthit)
1. Phra Sumeru Fortress
2. Banglamphu Market
3. Khao San Road
4. Democracy Monument
Get out by Bus 2 ORD, Bus 15 ORD (Siam Square), Bus 59 (VM BTS), Bus 56 ORD (Yaowarat)
F. Yaowarat / Phahurat (CENTRE) - HOTEL DISTRICT
1. Yaowarat Road Chinatown
2. Bangkok Bank Building
3. Phahurat
4. Old Siam Plaza
G. Dusit (NORTH) - Thewest Pier / Bus 70 (Grand Palace) / Bus 515 (VM BTS)
1. Dusit Palace / Vimanmek Mansion (OPTIONAL and outside only)
2. King Rama V Equestrian Statue (Uthong Nai/Sri Ayutthaya Road intersection)
3. Wat Benchamabophit (marble temple)
H. Thonburi (WEST) to visit on separate days (separate by a blank row)
1. Wat Arun (to see from Rattanakosin AND ferry [Tha Tien - Wat Arun])
2. Siriraj Museums (@ former Thonburi Railway Station - Not Tuesday) - Enter by cross river ferry [Tha Phrachan - Thonburi Railway]
3. King Taksin the Great Monument (Wong Wien Yai BTS and Wong Wien Yai SRT)
4. Rama VI and VII Bridges (Ferry or Bus to Rama VII Bridge)
I. Pratunam (CENTRE) - can walk in from Chit Lom BTS as well
1. Victory Monument (see from outside) (Victory Monument BTS)
2. Suan Pakkad Palace (Phaya Thai BTS/SRTET)
3. Baiyoke Tower II (Ratchaprapop SRTET)
4. Thai Labour Museum (Ratchaprapop SRTET)
5. Pratunam Market / City Complex (Ratchaprapop SRTET)
6. Indra Square (Ratchaprapop SRTET)
7. Krungthong Plaza (Ratchaprapop SRTET)
8. The Palladium World Shopping (Ratchaprapop SRTET) formerly Pratunam Centre
9. Platinum Fashion Mall (Ratchaprapop SRTET)
J. Phahonyothin (NORTH)
1. Chatuchak Park (Chatuchak Park MRT and Mo Chit BTS)
2 Chatuchak Weekend Market (Kamphaeng Phet MRT - see from outside)
3. Or Tor Kor Market (MOF Market) (Kamphaeng Phet MRT)
4. Chatuchak Plaza (4 blocks) (Kamphaeng Phet MRT)
5. JJ Mall (Kamphaeng Phet MRT)
K. Ratchadaphisek (NORTHEAST)
1. Thai Life Permanent Exhibition Hall (Thailand Cultural Centre MRT)
2. Big C Extra (Thailand Cultural Centre MRT)
3. Esplanade (Thailand Cultural Centre MRT)
4. Robinson (Thailand Cultural Centre MRT)
5. Fortune Town (Phra Ram MRT)
M. Samut Sakhon (out of Bangkok)
1. Mahachai Market (Mahachai SRT)
//-----------------------------
N. Ayutthaya (out of Bangkok)
1. taking a ferry to Chao Phrom market and then follow Naresuan road to Wat Mahathat and Wat Ratboorana - Thai Boat museum is within Wat Mahathat and Wat Ratboorana area
2. After that turning left along Cheekun road to the circle near the night market before turning right at Rotjana road all the way to Ayutthaya Historical study Centre [Highly reccommend place as i can testify by myself -
it is within Ayutthaya Rajabhat University] before heading to Chao Sam Phraya national museum - another highly recommended museum that contains artifacts of Ayutthaya including the gold treasure of Ayutthaya from the crypt of Wat Ratchaboorana and TAT tourist center at the old provincial hall.
3. Turning right to go along Srisanphet road to Wat Phra Srisanphet and Ancient palace via Wat Mongkhon Bophit
4. Following Naresuan road to Naresuan road Wat mahathat and Wat Ratchaboorana before heading to Chao Phrom market
5. Heading to Ayutthaya National Museum at Chan Krasem Palace before heading back to Ayutthaya railway station.
//------------------------
Here is what he wants before being amended:
Item No. Attraction (Place) Name Method to proceed to next item Remarks
From Ayutthaya Railway Station, take ferry/bus/taxi to Hua Ro Market
1 Hua Ro Market / Bus Station area bus to Item 2 START FROM HERE
2 Ayutthaya Historical Study Centre walk to item 3
3 Chao Sam Phraya Museum walk to item 4 cross the road
4 Wat Barom Phuttaram walk to item 5 cross the road
5 Tourist Info Centre / City Hall / Tourism Authority of Thailand walk to item 6
6 City Pillar Shrine walk to item 7
7 Khum Khun Phaen walk to item 8 cross the road
8 Wat Phraram walk to item 9 cross the road
9 Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit walk to item 10
10 Wat Phra Si Sanphet (Grand Palace) walk to item 11 cross the road thereafter
11 King U-Thong Monument bus/taxi to item 12
12 Wat Phra Mahathat (@ Wat Mahathat) walk to item 13 cross the road
13 Wat Ratburana bus/taxi to item 14 may change bus at bus station
14 Chao Phrom Market walk to item 15
15 Chandra Kasem Museum bus/taxi/walk to item 16
16 Wat Khunsan bus/taxi to item 17
17 Ancient Palace walk to item 19
18 Wat Na Phra Meru OPTIONAL
19 Wat Thammikarat bus/taxi to item 20
20 Wat Lokayasutha (@Wat Lokayasutharam) bus/taxi to item 21
21 Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park bus/taxi to item 22
22 Wat Suwandararam bus/taxi back to Ayutthaya Railway Station
If you want to go around by buses and Minibuses to save your budget and never want to get too exhausted, here are the choices:
1. Aircon Bus No.5 - Lotus - Phanit Nauk - Chao Phrom market - Rajabhat University of Ayutthaya [AKA Ayutthaya teacher collage]. This one is passing Wat mahathat and Wat Ratchaboorana along with Ancient Palace, Wat Mongkhon Bophit(a major temple between TAT tourist center and Wat Phra Srisanphet) and Ayutthaya Historical study Centre. You can catch this one from Chao Phrom market. This bus running at 15 minute interval from 5.30 AM to 10.30 PM
2. Aircon Bus No.6 - Government Complex - Hua Ror Market - Phanit Nai - Old Elephant Kraal. This bus line is for those who want to go to Chao Sam Phraya national museum, Hua Ror Market, Chan Krasem Palace [Ayutthaya National Museum], Ancient palace - Khum Khunphaen [traditional Thai house not far from Chao Sam Phraya national museum. This bus running at 15 minute interval from 5.40 AM to 9.40 PM
If you cannot wait for these 2 aircon bus around Ayutthaya city Island, here is the list of minibus lines [Blue buses] -
1. Chedi line - from Ayutthaya Government Complex - Ayutthaya bus terminal - Chao Phrom market - Hua Ror Market
2. Pom Phet circle line - running along U Thong Ring road in counter clockwise manner - passing Chao Phrom Market - Pom Phet (the last Ancient Fort of Ayutthaya) - Sri Nakharin park - Sri Syuriyothai Pagoda - Ancient Palace - Hua Ror Market - Chan Krasem Palace - Chao Phrom palace.
3. Railway line - starting from Ayutthaya railway station to Ayutthaya General hospital near Pom Phet
Tuktuk is quite easy to find as there are Tuktuk pools at the following places
1. Provincial Public Heath of Ayutthaya
2. Ayodhaya Hotel
3. Ayutthaya railway station
4. Chao Phrom Market
5. Hua Ror market
If you want to try this one to go to several place - 200 Baht an hour or so but need to check updated prices to prevent another rip off.
If you want to test your stamina - rending bicycle is another choice at 40 Baht a day for the one at Ayutthaya railway station - but need to check for updated price though.
For Chao Sam Phraya National Museum, it is opened on Wednesday to Sunday from 9 Am to 4 PM - 30 Baht per head
TAT tourist center opened from 8.30 AM to 4.30 PM
Ayutthaya Historical study Centre - Weekdays opened from 9.30 AM to 4.30 PM and Weekends opened from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM - 100 Baht per head.
Ancient palace - opened from 7 AM to 6 Pm - 30 Baht per head - Wat Mongkhon Bophit is just next to Ancient palace.
Wat Mahathat - opened from 8 Am to 6 PM - 30 Baht per head
Wat Ratboorana - opened from 8 Am to 6 PM - 30 Baht per head
Thai Boat museum opened from 9.30 AM ot 5 PM - free admission but donation is appreciated
For Chankasem palace [Ayutthaya National Museum], it is opened from 9 AM to 4 PM - 30 Baht per head
O. Nakhon Pathom and Kanchanaburi (out of Bangkok)
1. (NP) Phra Pathom Chedi
2. Bridge over the River Kwai (SRT Saphan Kwae Yai)
3. JEATH War Museum
4. Thailand-Burma Railway Centre
5. Kanchanaburi War Cemetry
6. WWII Museum / Art Gallery
Note: If I have a good luck, I will be able to see Pi Moh Rakphong at kanchanaburi station
//---------------------
List of overpasses and level crossings in Bangkok city area
As at 02072014
Overpasses (only those still open listed)
1. Krasatsuek (nearest bus stop Yotse) - North/NE/South/East Lines
- Bumrung Mueang Road (W) and Rama 1 Road (E)
2. Phayathai BTS Station - East Line
3. Lad Krabang - East Line
4. Wat Donmueang (north of Donmueang SRT) - North/NE Lines
Level Crossings
1. Yommraj intersection (Phetchaburi Road)
2. Sri Ayutthaya Road (near Chitladda Palace)
3. Rajvithi Road (near Chitladda Palace)
4. Nakhon Chaisri Road south of Samsen SRT
5. Setsiri Road north of Samsen SRT
6. Between Setsiri Road and Pradiphat Road
7. Pradiphat Road
Finally, I met Khun STN, but not at Food island ... as Khun STN came late since he thought Food Island at 6th floor of MBK closed at 10 PM ... eventually, I met Khun STN at Srikrung Hotel and give the Train 909/910 (Namtok line) to him along with goodies from SRT. ...
Now, Khun STN has learnt very hard lessons -
1. He needs to have dinner early or he has to rely on 7-11. Food court closed at 9 PM. in Thailand - even in the weekends - not 10 PM as in Singapore.
2. Furthermore, during the train spotting at Samsen by riding Diesel Railcar [the only place with flyover that good enough] he learns the need to have cool drinking ready during the trip to Namtok
3. he also learnt the loud noise of Diesel railcars that make Railcars unpopular to KTM
4. STN also felt astonished to learn that GE has been in used for 50 years [since 1964] which should have been retired long time ago ...
I just brought Khun STN to Taling Chan by Hua Hin ORD [Train 261] and the take Namtok train (Train 258) to Thonburi before bringking him To Thonburi Locomotive Depot ... everything went well until he has spotted barking dogs which peter him away from the deepest part of Thonburi Locomotive Depot ... then we have a lunch near the museum ... We did take a photo of pavilion along with the statue of King Chulalongkorn and Prince Sirirj and then take a photo of Mikado 950 loco ... After that, we head to the museum that record the past of the land before becoming Thonburi station - the day to conceive Thonburi station and Southern line and Siriraj Hospital and Medical school of Siriraj as a part of Mahidol University ... and learn more about health and Thai medicine .... and the community around Bangkok Noy [Thonburi station] ... and then we go to Phran Nok pier [AKA Wang lang Pier] to take Chao Phraya express to go to Rama 7 pier and climb the old stairway to take a photo of the train but we got sunburn for almost an hour (15.20 - 16.00) before spotting IE35 which has been delayed ... after that we took a taxi to Bang Bumru station along Bang Kruay - Sai Noy road ... got a strong wind before the rain... but at least we got the taxi on time before raining. We did take picture of SP 37 - Rapid 169 and ORD 355 along with photo around Bang Bumru station .... and when the rain stop around 5 PM, we took another taxi to Bang Son station for another spotting and got Rapid 173 .... along with taking a picture of Bang Son station of SRT and Bang Son station of MRTA. After that, we took Aircon bus no. 97 to Bangsue ... Initially, I thought I could get a good from Ban Makham restaurant ... but I learn very hard way that it is closed ... so we got to eat Phat Thai at the hawker between Bangsue 1 and Bangsue 2 with some trainspotting instead ... Now, I learnt that I better not to bring too far into the dangerous corner that have angry dogs ... For the list of Halal restaurants near Thonburi, I will compile later.
For the trip to Kanchanaburi, I'll focus on the good stuffs around Kanchanaburi City ----
Khun STN said he has come to Ayutthaya by taking Rapid 135 to Ayutthaya and take ORD 202 back BKK - see lots of things ...
Note that at the day KHun STN has come to Ayutthaya, Rapid 111 has been attached with Rapid 135 because of the loco shortage -- Not restaurant car in Rapid 111 while Rapid 135 has a restaurant car. After that, he went to yutthaya Historical Study Centre, Chao Sam Phraya Museum, Ancient Palace, Wat Thammikarat, Wat Mahathat before taking ORD 202 back to continued to joyride BTS Asok -> Thong Lo -> National Stadium -> Bang Wa -> Sala Daeng - explored a bit of Lumphini park.. lastly went to Yaowaraj and dinner there
Lots of photo to the point that Khun STN has to upload once he is back to Singapore.
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