I had an opportunity to explore Paed Riw City (the ancient name for Chachoengsao Province) for several times but every time it is just a going pass by trip and chose to visit only the must not miss signature places of Chachoengsao Province like Wat Sothon Woraram Worawihan or Pink Ganesh of Wat Saman Rattanaram. But this trip, I have two days and one night. which has enough time to allow me to get to know more of this Paed Riw City than every visit. Then I plan to travel to several districts as well as try to find the new places (for me). Hopefully, this review will be a good source for traveling to this province for many of you guys.
This review will not put the tourist places according to timeline but I would like to introduce them by district.
Before anything, let's get to know about the name of this province, "Chachoengsao" or another well-known name of "Paed Riw". From words to words, this city is very rich in natural resources, especially its abundant aquatic animals, particularly the snakehead fish which is so plentiful and in large size. When the villages catch them, they will fillet them and dry them out, it is said that they need to cut into 8 fillets and this originated the well-known name of this city, "Paed Riw" (eight stripes) accordingly to the size of this snakehead fish.
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Bang Pakong District is located to the Southwest of Paed Riw and is approximately 22 kilometers away from the province downtown. Part of this district is located on the Gulf of Thailand. The place that I would like to recommend is called Wat Hong thong. The highlight of this place is that the Vihara is surrounded by the water of the Gulf of Thailand.
Wat Hong Thong has walkways connecting the shore with the stupa of Phrathat Khongkha Mahachedi Pricha Prapakon and Ubosot, the main hall, both of which are situated in the sea. The two big Naga are also welcoming you at the connecting walkways. During the time I visited, the water is not in high tide so I miss to see the water covering Phrathat and the Ubosot.
On the connecting walking, there will be a wooden walkway for you to enjoy the standing sculptures of Thai literary characters in "Phra Aphai Mani".
Phrathat Khongkha Mahachedi has five levels. The first level is hosted a replica of the Buddha image of Luang Pho Sothorn together with several other Buddha images. There are also paintings about Buddhism and Thai kings.
On the second floor, it is hosted a replica of the Emerald Buddha as well as a wax replica of Luang Pho Sot of Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen.
On the highest level, you will see "Phrathat Khongkha Mahachedi" and this level also prominently stands a golden stupa. You can also walk around to enjoy the 360-degree view.
Inside the stupa, there is an altar with the world's first Arhats' relics to be hosted in the sea. This place is for us to worship and remembering the wisdom, the holiness, and the grace of the Buddha and all Arhats.
On the side to Phrathat Khongkha Mahachedi, there's also an Ubosot sitting in the sea. Inside this main hall is mural paintings showing the history of the Buddha beautifully.
This temple is also quite popular for nun ordination as I see many people coming for this ordination and I get even more surprised when most of them are in their teens or early adult. This has wiped out my old belief that only older people will go meditation and practice Buddhism. I think this is a very delighted news.
For those who love seafood like scallops and mussels, you will find an affordable price of them along the way from the main road to the temple. The mussels start at 20 THB per kilogram and I, myself, had supported them several kilograms.
Now let's continue to Bang Num Prieo District. It is located to the Northwestern to Paed Riw and is approximately 19 kilometers away from the province downtown. I choose to go visit Wat Prong Akard as the attraction in Bang Num Prieo.
Wat Prong Arkard is visible from a far distance.
In my opinion, Wat Prong Arkard is nothing different to the antique Thai House raised high under the floorboards. This is my first time seeing the design of temple in a raising up the floorboards fashion.
The basement is having 196 pillars, each pillar is as big as 2-3 people embrace size. Here also enshrines the chest relics of the Buddha, it is called Phra Ura Ka That from India.
Maha Chedi Ubosot that stands majestically in the view from below, now that I walk up on the second floor, this elegance golden pagoda is increased. As soon as my feet touched the ground in this afternoon time, I has to put my feet up immediately as the tile was so hot that I had to walk on the side of my feet.
In front of 4 sides of the entrance to Maha Chedi, there's different various postures of two giants majestically standing in each side. Inside the Maha Chedi, it enshrines a large replica of Luang Pho Sothon.
On the side to Maha Chedi Ubosot, we can also see the garden of the pink Ganesh.
The pink Ganesh is in a seated giving blessing pose and it is said to be the largest in Asia. Overall looking, the pink Ganesh is just recently completed as the color is still very fresh and the surrounding is still in the process of renovation.
Well, since we are already talking about the Ganesh, now let me take you to Khlong Kuen District. I will take you to worship the Ganesh made from bronze.
Khlong Kuen District is located to the North of Paed Riw and is approximately 18 kilometers away from the province downtown. The interesting place here is Ganesh Monument Park.
This standing Bronze Ganesh (comprising of silicon, manganese, nickel, iron, tin, lead, zinc and copper) is the world's largest bronze Buddha statue. It is the accomplishment, success, and realization pose in a height of 30 meters with four hands. The standing Bronze Ganesh is made from casting in a total of 854 parts and shape them together.
In front of the Ganesh sit the rat statue. It is believed that the rat is the animal of the Ganesh and it will tell the Ganesh to grant the success. Those who come worship the Ganesh is widely whispered the wish to the rat's ears. For the whispering, there's also some technique. While you are whispering your wish to the ear of the rat, you must close the other ear of the rat.
Each hand of the Ganesh is holding fruits, including mangoes, jackfruit, banana, and sugarcane. These fruits are the famous fruits of Paed Riw.
And at the foot of the Ganesh sits the rat holding Modak, a favorite snack of the Ganesh and it also symbolizes the abundance of land.
At the base of the Ganesh, there's several small arches that carved elephants inside and I'm not quite sure what it means.
Even the small bell also cast the statue of the Ganesh.
As far as I can count, Paed Riw has the three largest Ganesh statue in Thailand. The first one is the sleeping pose at Wat Saman Rattanaram and the second one is a seated pose at Wat Prong Arkard, both of which are made from mortar. And the third one is a standing Ganesh pose here. Personally, I like the Ganesh here more than the other two places as it is bronze so it looks more sacred than the pink one.
During the time I visited, the Ganesh Monument park is yet completed as there's still some renovation going on.
After traveling to several places, let's take a break with food. For today lunch, I want to recommend a famous dish of Phanom Sarakham District which is Pak Mo Noodle or Thai Steamed Rice-Skin Noodle.
Pak Mo Noodle at Phanom Sarakham is considered the original recipe of Pak Mo Noodle that sell throughout Paed Riw. Along the two sides road to Phanom Sarakham market is full of Pak Mo Noodle shops. For the meal, the local take me to try this dish out at Soi Municipalities 6.
The Pak Mo Noodle shop is unlike typical noodle shop where the cooking facilities will be set up in front of the shop. Pak Mo Noodle will set up their cooking stand in the middle and the customers will be sitting in a circle around a simple thing for table seating and a short chair. But if you prefer high chair, you can also find the shop that offers such seating as well.
For the filling of Pak Mo Noodle, there will be eight fillings altogether. The first one is stir-fried shredded long beans with minced pork.
The second filling is bean sprouts.
The third one is garlic chives or Kui Chai.
The fourth one is bamboo shoot.
The fifth one is fried tofu.
The sixth one is a sweet filling made from fried beans and radish.
The seventh filling is pickle.
And the last filling is corn.
Now, let's take a look at the broth. The soup is delicious with boiled bones. And you can also add pork ribs, bounced pork, chicken feet, and blood into the soup. If you want to combine many into the soup, it's also up to you.
As for the Steamed Rice-Skin Dumplings, the flour is very soft and thin.
After you choose your soup, the chef will put the Steamed Rice-Skin Dumpling one by one into each bowl, as for the filling, you can tell the chef directly. For each bowl of broth is 30-40 THB and the dumpling is 5 for 10 THB.
From what I have tried this dish at Wat Saman Rattanaram or the old market Nakorn Nueng Ket, I have to say the Pak Mo Noodle at Phanom Sarakham is the best.
Now that we are full, let's go onto Sanam Chai Khet District. I will take you to worship the Buddha and appreciate the upside-down bell-shaped pagoda that is like no other place in Thailand.
Sanam Chai Khet District is located to the West of Paed Riw and is approximately 50 kilometers away from the province downtown. For the interesting place in Sanam Chai Khet, I choose to go Wat Huai Nam Sap or a more well-known name in Wat Phra That Wayo.
The eye-catcher in the Wat Huai Nam Sap can be nothing but Phra Maha Chedi Phra That Wayo. It is the upside-down bell-shaped pagoda with a height of 39 meters and the base diameter of 20 meters wide. It is looking different and unlike upside-down bell-shaped pagoda in other temples. The pagoda here is designed as a three-story. The lowest layer is decorated with the yellow floor tiles, the middle layer is in blue and the highest floor is in white.
Inside the pagoda enshrines the relics of Lord Buddha as well as five other Buddhas which include Phra Kaku Santha Putthachao, Phra Konakhom Phutthachao, Phra Kassapa Phutthachao, Phra Sakayamuni Gautama Phutthachao, and Phra Ariyamettrai Phutthachao. There are also the oil paintings telling the Lord Buddha history. In addition, the tourists can also take a staircase to enjoy the high angle view. At this ground floor, it is also painted in gold, making it look brilliantly bright.
On the second floor, it is the area inside the blue pagoda. It enshrines the Buddha statues around and around the core Chedi in 4 directions.
The higher you walk, the narrower the walkway. This is the highest floor that enshrines the Buddha statue around. From here, we can have a 360-degree view, overlooking to Ubosot and Lad Krating reservoir.
Now, let's come to see the Ubosot that we were overlooking earlier, inside is having a very beautiful mural paintings.
Luang Pho Yai Prathanporn, a large Buddha statue is in a seated giving blessings pose with a width of 20 meters and height of 29 meters. This is another must not miss scared place that we should go for worshiping.
At Wat Phrathat Wayo, in addition to this big seated Buddha image, there's also this large sleeping Buddha in a reclining pose in a 20 meters long statue.
And the last light at Phrathat Wayo
Even though traveling to Wat Phrathat Wayo is quite far and it's not located on the main road, if you ever come to Sanam Chai Khet District, I do recommend you to not miss this place.
Now, let's continue to our next district, Bang Khla District. It is situated to the East of Paed Riw and is approximately 25 kilometers away from the province downtown. Bang Khla has several interesting places and my first recommendation is Wat Pho Bang Khla.
It has no clear evidence as of when Wat Pho Bang Khla has been built but it is believed that this temple was built around 1767-1907 during the reign of King Taksin the Great. Inside the temple, there are three outstanding spots. The first spot is the open pavilion in the middle of the temple. It enshrines several famous Buddhist teaching statues as well as important Buddha images and five Benjapakhi.
But what really strike my eyes as I have never seen elsewhere before is the Buddha in mortification pose. The Buddha is seated in crossing his legs and both hands are stacked on the thighs. His body is so thin that his bones and his tendor is visible to us.
Walk a little further, we will find the small centuries-old ancient Chaturamuk Vihara. It is located next to the front wall of the temple, where a statue of Luang Pho To Wat Bang Khla is enshrined. This Vihara has two entrances and a window. Inside enshrines a reclining Buddha and beautiful mural paintings.
And the last interesting thing that you will see all over the temple compound is tens of hundreds of fruit bats (flying foxes) roost in the trees. No matter where you look on the trees, you will find them. These fruit bats are considered to be the world's largest species of bats.
The second place that I would like to introduce in Bang Khla and it is located not so far from Wat Pho Bang Khla is King Taksin the Great Stupa Memorial.
The Gulf Jolo used to be the place King Taksin the Great fought with Burmese army and with his talent, he was able to win over the Burmese army who had more manpower. King Taksin has rested his army in this area for a while and built a Chedi (pagoda) to commemorate the victory in the battle against Burma. But later, the area was eroded by water tides and the pagoda collapsed. Then, the stupa memorial was rebuilt again at the same place. From here, we can see Koh Lad which is located opposite to the King Taksin the Great Stupa Memorial.
Actually, going from Wat Pho Bang Khla to the King Taksin the Great Stupa Memorial, we will go pass another tourist place, Bang Khla floating market. But due to I arrive here in the late afternoon and I cannot find a parking spot so I didn't get to see this place. So our third stop is Wat Paknam Jolo which is also located not so far from the King Taksin the Great Stupa Memorial.
The highlight of Wat Paknam Jolo is that the Ubosot is elegantly gilded both inside and outside, let it be the roof, the door, or the wall. It is regarded as the only golden Ubosot in Thailand. The reliefs here are especially elegant when painting in gold and they will get even more magnificent when sunlight shines over to the Ubosot. It is brilliantly illuminated than ever.
Inside the Ubosot enshrines the Buddha in the attitude of subduing Mara, the main Buddha in the Ubosot. The carves and the reliefs is decorated with gold instead of murals which is very beautiful. And another very special feature here is that the base of the Buddha statue is built as a room with a front and back door so that the visitors and the Buddhists can walk under to enhance the prosperity and blessing in their lives.
Wat Paknam Jolo is located adjacent to Bang Pakong River. When you are walking to the river, you will also see the King Taksin the Great Stupa Memorial.
And the last attraction in Bang Khla Disrict that I want to recommend is Wat Hua Suan. Wat Hua Suan is another temple that has its unique identity like Wat Paknam Jolo. The unique identity of Wat Hua Suan is that it has the beautiful and the largest stainless Buddhist sanctuary in Thailand.
The stainless Buddhist sanctuary is built upon the idea of Phra Kru Pawana Jariyakul (the abbot) in order to have it last for a millennia. The study found that stainless is the material that can last for thousands years whereas the mortar will last only in hundreds years. Accordingly, the abbot designed this Buddhist sanctuary. This Buddhist sanctuary is using 50 million THB budget to build and it was all done by the faith of Buddhists who come to donate at the temple while the temple had done no advertisement.
This Buddhist sanctuary has the entrance from the front and the back, two doors each side. Gable apex, toothlike ridges on the sloping edges of a gable, and the sloping are all craved from stainless and at the gable and the window is craved the Buddha image and angels. All around the sanctuary also craved the 80 Arhats from the stainless and the carrying lamp swan poles.
The external is very spectacular, the interior is not any less marvelous. Inside the sanctuary enshrines Phra Puttha Mahalab or the Fortune Buddha which is decorated with precious stones and gems from Australia, Africa, and Myanmar. When the light shines to the Fortune Buddha, it is so shinning and stunningly beautiful.
As for the murals, Wat Hua Suan is also like no other. This temple is using the air brush spraying technique in telling the Buddha's 10 lives stories.
And the last district that I would like to introduce to you is Muang Chachoengsao District. Let's start at Wat Chin Pracha Samosorn (Wat Leng Hok Yee).
Wat Chin Pracha Samosorn is a Chinese temple in Mahayana Buddhism that extends from Wat Leng Neng Yee in Bangkok. The legend said that it was built since the King Rama V when he visited to Prachin Buri City to open the railroad of Bangkok - Chachoengsao.
This temple has a Chinese name as Wat Leng Hok Yee which means the dragon of destiny or the dragon of luck. So people are largely coming here to worship in seeking for fortune. According to Chinese Feng Shui, this temple is considered to be the stomach of the dragon. The head of the dragon is at Wat Leng Neng Yee in Bangkok an the tail is at Wat Leng Hua Yee at Chantaburi Province.
Upon walking into the temple, you will find the 4 large Thao Chatu Lokkaban made from paper aged over 100 years. This is the Chinese wisdom from Shanghai. They are standing at the entrance, 2 on each sides, left and right. On the left side, the left one is the Thao Virudhaka Maharaj who rules the South and Kumbhanda. On the right is Thao Virudbaka Maharaj who rules the West and Naga.
To the right side of the entrance, the one on the left is Thao Kuvera Maharaj (Vesuvan) who rules the North and giants. On the right hand side is Thao Thasarattha Maharaj who rules the East and Gandharvas.
If I haven't told that these 4 large Thao Chatu Lokkaban were made from paper, I wouldn't believe it as I still think that they are made from wooden crave.
In the middle of the temple enshrines the three Buddha statues.
Thep Diew Kuangmeng Chaising (Bang Boo), the God of Fortune
Guan Yin Bodhisattva is craved from 100 years old tree root.
The bell at Wat Leng Hong yee is weight more than 1.5 tons and it is one of the three bells in the world that has the Maha Prachaya Porammittasuthra alphabet. It is believed that if you are hitting the bell, it's like you are praying.
As for the procedure of worshiping the gods inside Wat Chin Pracha Samoson, the temple will provide the number chronologically attached to each god for us to follow and offer the incense and pray.
Behind the temple is a Chinese style pagoda which is still under construction.
After Wat Chin Pracha Samosorn, just approximately 1 kilometer towards the downtown Chachoengsao, we will find Banmai Market.
Banmai Market is the old market of more than 100 years old. It is the ethnic Chinese community. In the past, this is an important exchanging goods place of Chachoengsao. People living here are mostly doing trading business.
The market can be characterized as having the wooden houses building next to the river. The structure of houses remain unchanged even after many generations. It is a source of delicious taste of the city's topknot food as well as some rare snacks. In addition, small gifts and souvenir is also available for your pleasure.
The shop offers a wide variety of souvenir in an affordable price.
The noodle shop is decorated to so inviting to sit style. Even though there's some renovation making the shop looks more chic, the structure of the store is still uniquely preserved in an ancient wooden house style.
For some shops, they will use certain space of the house to sell goods but the house is still for residency purpose.
Now let's turn to look at some desserts and snacks. Start with Lod Chong Dessert in Coconut, I really wanted to take some home but I'm afraid that the coconut milk might get rotten so I didn't buy them.
Fried Garlic Chives or Fried Kui Chai, are freshly fried!
Kuay Tiew Lord or steamed rice noodles with mixed meat and tofu in the black sauce. It comes in a new form that I have never seen before. Typically, the rice noodles will be big and wrap all the fillings which are made from bean sprouts fried with minced pork and tofu. But here, this dish comes in just like this.
Khanom Tan or Toddy Palm Cupcakes and Khanom Kruai or Banana cupcakes come in banana leaves.
Sweetened sticky rice in coconut shells with many toppings such as taro, ginkgo, red beans, looking so delicious!
Quail eggs are fried in Khanom Krok (coconut cake) pan.
Saku Sai Moo or Tapioca Balls with Pork Filling is freshly cooked
Khanom Bueng Yuan (a kind of filled pancake) is looking very appetizing.
Seeing this fermented crab, I'm thinking about papaya salad with it.
This shop will make the chili paste lover happy as there are many kinds of chili paste to choose from.
Khanom Kay Sorn Lum Jiak, a traditional flower dessert. It is quite rare nowadays.
Rice wrapped in lotus leaf, I thought that it is only available at Samchuk Market but Banmai Market also offers this dish and with many fillings.
Khanom Mai Fah or the sky silky snack is a blessed snack. It is made from honey mixed with the rice flour, corn flour, and sticky rice flour. Then you massage it, pull it and it would be stretching out and comes out like as silk. The next process is to wrap cashew nuts, peanuts, and white sesame. You will feel the softness of silk and the crunch of cashew nuts and peanuts when eating it. But it can be a little bit stiff to the neck and it can fall all over the places. So I recommend that to put them into a fridge for a while and we will feel a bit crunchy when eating it in the cold manner. Khanom Mai Fah has quite a process of making so it is quite a slow production that a few people are waiting in line for it.
Jang Lon with ancient recipe, it looks like fish cakes that we are familiar with. We would cook it by frying but here, they grill them and sell in 10 THB per stick.
Khanom Kui Chai or Garlic Chives Dessert, freshly wrapped and steamed.
I'm not sure if this dish is called Khanom Mo Kaeng, I also forgot to ask the seller when I took the photos.
Salted Boiled Fish, there are many kinds of fish to choose such as Mackerel or Carp.
Thong Pub (Crispy Cake)
Small colorful baskets...
The Banmai market also provides a boating service to enjoy the sightseeing of two sides of the river. It will take you to worship a holy reclining Buddha statue in the glass with more than 100 years old. It will also take you to worship and ask for the blessings from Luang Pho To, a holy Buddha statue of Wat Thep Nimit. If you are interested to visit here, I recommend you to come to Banmai Market in the morning about 9 or 10 a.m. as the weather is not yet so hot, you can walk around and have lunch here. There are a wide selection of restaurants. They also have Pak Mo Noodle. I can guarantee that coming here your stomach will be full and you will certainly get some souvenir back home too. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you that this market only opens on the weekends from 09.00 a.m.-17.00 p.m..
Then, let's move a bit closer to downtown. On the way to Wat Sothon Woraram Worawiharn. The building of Crown Property Bureau of Chachoengsao which is located on the Bang Pakong River is really catching my attention.
The building of Crown Property Bureau of Chachoengsao is the ancient building in a Western architecture. It was built in 1903 and used to be a town hall as well as municipal hall of Chachoengsao. This building was registered as a National Historical Place since 1977.
I used to come here a few years back and I admit that I felt sad that this invaluable building was left abandoned. At that time, the building looked so old and dilapidated and it was the parking area for vans. But today, it has a positive change, the atmosphere is great, the building was renovated in a more valuable look, the sourrounding was developed into a recreation of a relaxing and an attraction for Paed Riw residents. I would really give them applause for this work.
Getting a little bit closer, we will pass Phuttha Sothon Hospital and see Maru Phong Park which is housing the ancient fortress at the heart of the center. This fortress was built in the King Rama III to prevent the enemy invasion and during the King Rama V, this fortress has been used to be the place to fight against Angyee Rebel. This place is also getting recreational that makes it looks much more beautiful than my last visit.
The opposite site of the fortress is also renovated into the place for sitting and relaxing as well as enjoying the view of Bang Pakong River. There's also Irrawaddy dolphin sculptures playing the water.
Why dolphin? May be some of you not yet know that Paew Riw is also a place for Irrawaddy dolphin watch at the Gulf of Bang Pakong River. During the winter time, it is the time when the saltwater is more than freshwater in all season. Apart from other sea animals that will come, hundreds of Irrawaddy dolphin will also come, making the Gulf of Bang Pakong is lively and colorful. These Irrawaddy dolphins emigrate to this area in order to escape from the cold. During November to February, dolphin watching boat is also offered. In addition, they will also take you to tour mangrove ecosystem and the island in the middle of the river which will have many kinds of birds resting. This has made Paed Riw an ecosystem tourist destination that is unique from other places.
And last but not least, the place that you must not miss to visit if you are coming to visit Chachoengsao, that is to worship Luang Pho Phuttha Sothan which is a signature Buddha image of Paed Riw Province.
Wat Sothon Woraram Worawihan, originally called "Wat Hong", was built in late Ayutthaya period. Currently, the Ubosot that we see is the new one that built on the old one. It is the Thai building style that specially designed in each reign. The roof is decorated with Thai roofing style and connected the Vihara from the front and the rear. On the side it is connected with a single Muk Dej building with the Vihara. Together, the building is in Chaturamuk style like a Thai castle. In the middle of Ubosot has 85 meters high of the roof, the tip of the roof consists of five tiered of umbrella with a height of 4.90 meters. The tip of the umbrella is a 77 kilograms gold, valued 44 million THB. The outside wall of the Ubosot is paved with marble from Carrara city, Italy.
In the middle of the Vihara enshrines a stucco "Luang Pho Sothon" in the attitude of meditation craved by Lan Chang craftsmen. The legend said that the Buddha status was miraculously floating along the river and finally enshrined at this temple. Originally, it was a beautiful bronze Buddha image in a cubit width. In order to prevent it from being stolen, the monks cover the Buddha image with mortar and it becomes what we see today.
The left wing of the Vihara is a big hall that enshrines the Buddha Image in the attitude of persuading the relatives not to quarrel. I'm not sure whether the temple will open this area to the public in general or not as the day I went was the day that the deputy abbot of Shaolin temple took 40 Chinese monks to worship Luang Pho Sothon, therefore the temple opened up this section. And before the Chinese monks arrive, I asked for the permission to visit inside.
Luang Pho Sothon is a miraculous and holy Buddha Image and a high respect to Paed Riw residents as well as to the Thai people all over the country. If you guys ever have a chance to visit Chachoengsao, I highly recommend you not to miss to worship Lunag Pho Sothon for blessings in lives.
As for accommodation in Chachoengsao, I choose to stay at the Bang Pakong Park Seminar House which is managed by Rajabhat Rajanagarindra University.
The Bang Pakong Park Seminar House is located not so far from Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan, it is a 5 minutes walking distance.
The room is equipped with standard facilities like the hotel but has quite a smell. From the room, we can also overlook to Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan.
The room is 600 THB per night including breakfast, I think the price is reasonable.
The highlight of staying here is that you can come up to have a high angle view of Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan at night. But you will need to submit a written request form and get approval from Bang Pakong Park Seminar House in advance.
Due to this place is located at the heart of the city, you will hear the traffic throughout the night. The breakfast is quite nice with a variety of choices like rice porridge, fried rice, hot dogs, ham, eggs, bread, and coffee.
As for souvenir shop, I recommend a chiffon bakery shop called "Pu Ka A".
Pu Ka A is located not so far from my hotel. They have several souvenir and bakery but I will focus on chiffon. I think many of you also have tasted chiffon from Pu Ka A. I used to go to gas station in Bang Bueng, Chonburi province and saw that chiffon of Pu Ka A was sold there. So since we are already here at the authentic Pu Ka A shop, why not go and have some as well?
When walking into the shop, I see many customers are waiting in line for chiffon. Not only customers are full, I see the employees are making the chiffon with spinning hands. Chiffon offers so many tastes like orange, coffee, chocolate, blueberry, milk tea, Foi Thong, young coconut, etc. It is 9 THB per piece with a box of 10 pieces. Chiffon has a really soft texture with no reservations. Some filling might get bad easily like young coconut. Before you buy, the store will ask you how long will you get home. If it takes long time, the store will not recommend you to buy young coconut chiffon. I secretly laugh at my co-trip friend as in the morning we went to offer food to monks at Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan and my friend bought chiffon cake of Pu Ka A from a middle man who sell it in front of the temple. She sold in a price of 120 THB per box. Late morning, we were coming to the original store and my friend bought 2 more boxes and felt bad that he paid more earlier, a 30 THB extra. Moreover, on the way home, my friend takes care of the chiffon like he takes care of a baby by turning air conditioning in the coldest possible way throughout the trip as he is afraid that chiffon might get bad. He has no worry of how cold we could be but that chiffon stays good.
In fact, there are still many more tourist places in Chachoengsao that I have yet visited. For example, the sand sculpture world that we planned to visit during this trip but it was temporarily closed for renovation. In addition, there are many more temples with a long history and many old markets. But due to the time limited, I choose to go only the highlight of each district first. If I have a good opportunity, I will definitely come back and travel to more places in Paed Riw.
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Monday, October 26, 2015 5:05 PM