Uthai Thani, a province in central Thailand, may not be familiar to many. However, when the name Seub Nakhasathien is mentioned, recognition dawns. Seub Nakhasathien, a passionate conservationist, dedicated his life to preserving the Huai Kha Khaeng forest. His efforts led to the forest's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

Uthai Thani, our slow-life city, is a small town in central Thailand. The Sakae Krang River flows through the city center, creating a community of raft dwellers who have lived there for generations. These raft dwellers cultivate pandan leaves and raise giant gourami fish in cages as a means of livelihood.

After gathering some basic information about Uthai Thani province, we began our journey. We traveled with a close friend from Bangkok. My friend traveled from Mo Chit and we met at Robinson Ayutthaya (Ayutthaya Park) using Highway 32 (Asian Highway) to head north. The total distance was 153 kilometers and it took almost 2 hours to travel.

Our first destination was Wat Tha Sung, a very famous temple with a constant stream of devotees. We chose to travel early in the morning to catch the morning opening of the Crystal Vihara at 9:00 AM.

After admiring the beauty of Wat Tha Sung, we continued our journey to the filming location of the drama series "Nakee" at **Huai Pa Tad**. The journey from the city center is approximately 53 kilometers from Uthai Thani town, located in Lan Sak district. The highlight is the discovery of the **pink millipede**, found only in Thailand. The name Huai Pa Tad comes from the abundance of **Borassus flabellifer**, a type of palm tree that grows in this area. The overall appearance resembles the Jurassic Park era due to the limestone hills with only one entrance and exit. The numerous Borassus flabellifer trees further enhance the resemblance to a prehistoric Jurassic landscape. For tourists, there is an entrance fee of 20 baht per person for Thai nationals. Officials will provide a flashlight; please remember to return it upon exiting.

Certain spots, if observed closely, resemble the face of a dinosaur. After enjoying the natural scenery and surroundings, we continued to a rest stop in Uthai Thani town at Jongrak Restaurant.

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Jongrak Cafe is a traditional coffee shop in Uthai Thani province. The shop is decorated with a collection of old items, creating an interesting atmosphere. Postcards are also available for collectors at affordable prices. The shop offers hot and cold drinks, as well as shaved ice, providing a relaxing experience. The atmosphere of the shop is reminiscent of Uthai Thani, making it a comfortable place to spend time. I enjoyed my time at the shop and hope the owner doesn't mind.

As the evening approached, we checked into our accommodation for the night at Klang Muang Villa, a comfortable guesthouse for 800 baht per night. The house was spacious and well-equipped, with comfortable beds, fragrant towels, and a clean bathroom. It also had private parking and was conveniently located near the city center, including Trok Rong Ya. We were very impressed with the accommodation, although we unfortunately forgot to take any pictures (apologies, we'll make up for it next time!).

After settling in, we freshened up and prepared for our evening adventure. Our first stop was Sa Ka Krang Hill, a scenic viewpoint overlooking the city of Uthai Thani. The hill is a popular spot for locals to exercise, with many people running or walking up and down its slopes. We drove up to the top, which is accessible via a road near the sports stadium, covering a distance of about 2 kilometers. For those who prefer walking and have the energy, there is also a path leading up from Wat Sangkat Rattanakhiri. At the summit, you'll find a statue of King Rama I, a replica of the Buddha's footprint, a large bell built by Phra Palad Jai and the people of Uthai Thani, and a beautiful tree with a distinctive canopy.

Trok Rong Ya Walking Street is a weekend night market in Uthai Thani, open only on Saturdays from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Vendors sell a variety of goods, including snacks, rice dishes, beverages, and vegetables, at affordable prices. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, with vendors offering warm smiles. Due to its limited opening hours, the market can get crowded, especially when there are events in the city. During my visit, a group of students from the agricultural college was in Uthai Thani, which led to an unusually high number of shoppers. Despite the crowds, Trok Rong Ya retains its charm as a local market in Uthai Thani.

We inquired about the product and ended up purchasing some "khanom khon mu" (unfortunately, we forgot it in the car and didn't get to try it. Apologies to the lovely vendor!).

In the past, when I was a child, I used to pound dried fish into a paste, add salt, and eat it with sticky rice. Oh, it was incredibly delicious!

This famous restaurant's satay has a long queue, but I'll come back next time. I'm too hungry to wait this time.

The music was great, and we contributed to the young man's fund. Hanuman's waist was very good, bouncing up and down (but there are no pictures 555+).

Let's stop by Infinity Coffee for a quick drink.

A candid shot of the shop owners, both in good spirits. If you're strolling through the Yaowarat alley and miss this shop, you're missing out big time (seriously!).

Treat your fellow travelers.

After strolling through the Trok Rong Ya market, we decided to have dinner at one of the local stalls, enjoying a delicious papaya salad and grilled chicken. With our stomachs full, we set out to find a relaxing spot to unwind and chat. We opted for Kanya's shop, as recommended by the friendly owner of Infinity Coffee. He mentioned that the owner of Kanya's was a handsome friend of his, but unfortunately, we didn't get to meet him during our visit.

Kanya's service is truly top-notch. The staff is incredibly friendly, polite, and knowledgeable. We give them a big thumbs up! Today, feeling adventurous, we decided to try Chalawan craft beer. We each ordered a bottle, and it turned out to be quite dark. We had neglected to check the details of the craft beer's flavor profile. As expected, Chalawan lived up to its name, packing a punch. However, fueled by our desire to try something new, we ended up finishing two bottles throughout the evening. Our friend stuck to their usual Thai brand. While our first experience with Chalawan may have been a bit rough, we're definitely planning to give it another try next time. We're ready for the challenge!

Ready to go back to rest, huh? On the way, let's take another set of pictures for the riverside of the Sakae Krang River near the morning market.

Enough, you can return to your accommodation.

07:00 AM, the alarm clock rings, signaling the start of a new day. After getting ready, it's time to head to the bustling morning market by the Sakae Krang River. Let's go!

Fresh-faced, haha. The morning market here mainly sells fresh produce like fish, vegetables, dried food, and ready-made meals. But I'm going to walk past it for now and take a stroll along the banks of the Sakae Krang River. The weather is pleasant, and it's a nice walk.

They would definitely come and relax like me.

As the sunlight hits the water, it creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Below, a pandan garden thrives, providing an additional source of income for the community living on the Mae Sa-Ka Krang River rafts.

Crossing the bridge to the other side, you will find Wat Ubosottharam, an ancient temple that has been a landmark of Uthai Thani since the early Rattanakosin era. The morning atmosphere is very peaceful.

As the sun's rays grew stronger, our eyes began to tire. It was time to return to our lodgings, wash away the day's weariness, and refresh our spirits. With renewed vigor, we prepared for our journey home.

After checking out, we grabbed a morning coffee before heading back to reality. **Khop Cafe** was the perfect ending to our slow life experience in Uthai Thani. The name itself is charming, suggesting a traditional and intriguing atmosphere. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a nostalgic scene of a row of old shophouses with a chic and cool glass-walled cafe at the corner, exuding the essence of Uthai Thani. We indulged in a smooth and creamy latte paired with a biscuit, a perfect combination. "This is so good!" exclaimed one of my friends, a phrase she often uses to express her delight.

Time flies! Our fun weekend has come to an end. Let's recharge our batteries for the upcoming week with a moderate amount of enjoyment. Uthai Thani has much more to offer for a slow-paced lifestyle than what we've shown you. You might discover new perspectives that are more intriguing and exciting. However, never lose sight of your true self.

... Sometimes...

Happiness

Easy.

Excessive...