Maeklong Railway Market

There has been alot of covereage on Maeklong Railway Market. From being just a town's people daily market site, the place is now thronging with tourists from all over the world. Honestly, if I am a townsman, I would be so irritated with all the tourist clogging up the tracks, taking pictures but almost never buying anything.

But as always, the Thais are ever so tolerant with outsiders, non-chalantly fanning themselves in the heat, trying to keep the flies away from their produce.

If you do want to capture the train chugging into the last station at Maeklong, be there early to get a good spot. Timing is roughly as follows, but don't blame me if you missed the train!

8.30am to 9am
11am to 11.30am
2.30pm to 3pm
5pm to 5.30pm

Wat Rai Khing

Wat Rai Khing is approximately 1 hour's drive from Bangkok, in the district of Nakhon Pathom.

This temple has a special meaning to me as I had previously "invited" a small statue all the way home to Singapore. We were on a roadtrip to collect some statues that a friend wanted to enshrine in his office. Coincidentally, the temple was offering several limited edition Luang Phor Wat Rai Khing statues with Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's royal monogram. Her Royal Highness was a patron the temple and to commemorate her 60th birthday, the temple created limited pieces of statues for worshippers. 

Knowing Mother's possible negative reactions towards me bringing home religious artifacts, I was in a super dilemma. I felt a connection to LP Wat Rai Khing and the kiasu side of me wanted the special edition. In the end, I decided to take a risk and got a 7" base one. I will deal with Mother when I get back. 

That was in 2015. 

It has been two years since and I was looking forward to visiting the temple again. 

It was said that the Buddha statue of Wat Rai Khing was thrown into the river during one of the war and after the war was over, the villagers found the statue floating in the rivr, fished it out and enshrined it at Wat Sala Poon. Later on, Wat Rai Khing was said to be built during Rama IV period and the statue was brought over to be the centrepiece. As the statue had no name of its own, it became known as Luang Phor Wat Rai Khing (Buddha of Rai Khing Temple). The statue is unique with the figure in the Chiang Saen era style, the hands in the Sukhothai style and the face in the Rattanakosin style.

The temple is next to the Tha Chin river and many devotees would buy bread to feed the catfish that inhabits the river. 

 On the way back out to the highway, do take time to have a meal at Somnuek Kai-Yang. Their thai grilled chicken is definitely a treat. 

Wat Bang Kung

Engulfed by the roots and branches of large banyan tree, Wat Bang Kung reminds me of Ta Prohm in Ang Kor, Siem Reap.



The temple dates back to Ayutthaya period and besides the large golden Buddha statue, the temple itself is pretty simple. 

The site also pays homage to Princess Montrathip, born in the late years of Ayutthaya period. She trained and led her troops to victory in the Battle of Bangkoong against the Burmese. She later passed on due to natural causes but people believed that her soul stayed on to bless who needed help.