Saturday evening...

Suddenly, I felt like taking a train trip. But the problem is, I just thought of it on Saturday, tomorrow is Sunday, and then I have to go to work on Monday. That means I only have one day to travel. What should I do? Where should I go for a short trip near Bangkok?

A Day Trip to Sanam Chan Palace: Following in the Footsteps of King Rama VI

The realization that King Rama VI preferred Sanam Chan Palace over Phaya Thai Palace due to its cooler climate sparked an idea. Having recently visited Phaya Thai Palace, the thought of exploring Sanam Chan Palace the next day became irresistible. Its proximity to Bangkok, accessibility by train, and suitability for a day trip made it the perfect choice.

With limited time, the decision was made to embark on this historical adventure. Information was gathered, travel plans were set, and anticipation grew for a journey into the past.

We started researching and found that the earliest train was the 08:05 Special Express. We tried to check the price, but the website was experiencing an error. We decided to ask at the counter tomorrow instead. We assumed the price wouldn't be too high, as it was only to Nakhon Pathom.

Sunday morning...

Early Morning Departure for Nakhon Pathom

We left home early in the morning to catch the train at Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong). Our destination for the day was Nakhon Pathom Station. We planned to enjoy the scenery along the way at a leisurely pace.

Arriving at Hua Lamphong before 8:00 AM, we headed to the ticket counter. We learned that the 8:05 AM Special Express train cost 341 baht. "What?!" we exclaimed. "341 baht for such a short trip to Nakhon Pathom? That's too expensive!"

We decided to switch to the free train instead. The free train departed around 9:00 AM, which meant an hour delay, but we didn't mind.

Preparing for the Free Train Journey…

After changing our plans and securing free tickets, we prepared to take a free train ride. The train was scheduled to depart from Bangkok Station at 9:20 AM and arrive at Nakhon Pathom Station at 10:46 AM, leaving us with ample time to spare. To make the most of the wait, we decided to venture outside the station for lunch. While there were food options available inside, our desire to capture photos of the station's facade led us to seek sustenance elsewhere.

After finishing our meal, we took a leisurely stroll and snapped some photos. At around 9 am, the train arrived at the platform. We boarded and looked for seats. "Which side should we sit on?" we pondered. "It doesn't matter," we decided, "let's just sit down." And so, we chose the right side of the carriage.

09:20 AM. The train departed precisely on time, which was surprising. As the train pulled out of the station, it gradually moved into the sunlight. We were anxiously waiting to see which side the sun would shine on. Finally, when the train was fully exposed to the sun, we looked at each other and smiled. Full blast! The sun was shining directly on us! There was nothing we could do but laugh. We had just chosen the wrong side of the train to sit on. ><!

10:46 a.m. Arrived at Nakhon Pathom station right on time!

Before embarking on our adventure, we decided to inquire about the return schedule with the staff. While we had gathered some preliminary information, we wanted to ensure accuracy. Initially, we considered taking the free train back, but we anticipated that the return trip on a Sunday, especially with the added incentive of being free, would result in overcrowding and a lack of available seats. Therefore, we opted to purchase non-free tickets with reserved seats for the return journey, believing it to be a more prudent option. Upon consulting with the staff, we were informed that there were scheduled railway repairs that day, potentially causing delays. They suggested taking a van instead, which we gratefully accepted. This timely inquiry saved us from a potentially lengthy wait on the return trip.

Our initial plan was to visit Phra Pathom Chedi first, as it was visible from the train station. However, upon looking up, we were met with a bright, sunny sky. The intense heat prompted us to change our plans and head to Sanam Chan Palace instead. We opted for a tuk-tuk ride, securing the driver's number for our return trip. The journey from Nakhon Pathom Railway Station to Sanam Chan Palace was relatively short, taking only a few minutes. While walking was an option, the heat made it less appealing. (The fare for a tuk-tuk ride was 100 baht, while a motorbike taxi might be a more affordable alternative.)

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Sanam Chan Palace

Before arriving at the Sanam Chan Palace, we purchased tickets. The entrance fee for Thai citizens is 30 baht per person. The palace grounds are extensive, and visitors can choose to walk or rent a golf cart (300 baht for the first two hours and 100 baht for each subsequent hour). Photography is permitted only outside the royal residences and pavilions; interior photography is strictly prohibited. We made the right decision to visit this palace first. The grounds are lush with trees, providing a welcome respite from the sun. After mistakenly boarding a train on the wrong side and enduring the full force of the sun, we needed a break.

14:00 We spent nearly 3 hours inside the Sanam Chan Palace, then called a tuk-tuk driver to pick us up and continue to the Phra Pathom Chedi. Upon arriving at the Phra Pathom Chedi, we stopped to find something to eat nearby as we were starting to feel hungry and exhausted.

3:00 PM. After finishing lunch, we walked to pay respects at Phra Pathom Chedi.

Phra Pathom Chedi

4:00 p.m. We spent about an hour here and then prepared to return to Bangkok. As mentioned earlier, if we were to wait for the train back, we would be waiting indefinitely without much of a destination. We had no idea when the train would arrive. Therefore, we opted to return by other means. We had the choice between a van and a bus. We chose the bus, which cost only 40 baht per person. It was incredibly cheap and dropped us off near Pinklao.

5:00 p.m. arrived in Bangkok, marking the end of a short weekend trip.

The charm of traveling is like this, there are some unexpected changes in plans, which is normal. ^^ As for the next trip, where we will go and how many days we will be there, please stay tuned with us A dayscape. See you again on the next trip.

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Palace of Sanam Chan

Opening Hours:

• Open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Ticket sales close at 3:30 PM.
• Closed on public holidays and November 25th of each year in observance of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday.

Special Opening Days:

• January 1st of each year (with opportunity to sign the book of well-wishes)
• August 12th of each year (with opportunity to sign the book of well-wishes)
• December 5th of each year (with opportunity to sign the book of well-wishes)

Contact:

• Tel: 034-244-236, 034-244-238-9, 034-270-035-6

Dress Code:

• Please dress modestly. Sleeveless shirts, shorts, and skirts above the knee are not permitted.

Check train times.

http://www.railway.co.th/checktime/checktime.asp

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