Thailand The Johnsons

Huahin Railway Station
Some photos from my recent visit to Huahin Railway Station, felt like I was back home in the UK, in Leatherhead where I used to live and where there is a very similar railway station to this, or is it the other way round? without the grand royal pavilion of course!

A remnant of bygone times, the picturesque Hua Hin train station is one of the stops on the route from Bangkok to the South. The station is located in the center of town, in walking distance from attractions as the night market and the main beach.

Its main attraction is the Royal Waiting Room which was used by Thai Royals when they visited the seaside summer Palace. Pictured on postcards and t-shirts, the building is one of Hua Hin’s most recognizable landmarks.

A visit to Hua Hin railway station feels like a step back in time. The station is one of the oldest in Thailand and one of the few still in its original state.

The main building in Victorian style dates back to the mid 1920’s.
Old style light bulbs between the tracks are carried by mythological birds.
On the other side of the tracks stands an antique steam locomotive.

A little away from the main building stands the Royal Waiting Room, a beautiful teak wood building in bright yellowish and red colors.

Originally part of Sanam Chandra Palace in Nakhon Pathom province, the building was moved to Hua Hin to be used as the Royal Waiting Room.

The very well preserved building was once used by members of the Thai Royal Family when they visited the seaside Maruekhathaiyawan Palace. King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) built the teak wooden palace as a seaside summer retreat in 1923.

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Title:Orient by SefChol

Pran Buri Forest Park Walk
In this video you will see some of the mangroves but mostly the local colourful Crab population that has been allowed to thrive here.
Some were easy to see and some not so easy.......
Founded in 1982 under the majesty of Queen Sirikit, Pranburi Forest Park is located 25 km. south of Hua Hin and encompasses over 3.17 sq. km. of protected land. The park is known for its vast and dense forests of mangroves and twisty trails that lead visitors to all corners of the park. With its pristine views and natural beauty, Pranburi Park is the perfect escape from some of the urban centres in southern Thailand.

The nature reserve is an excellent day excursion from the Hua Hin area (and best of all, it’s practically free). Not only will you be surrounded by the tranquil and majestic scenery, but you’ll also get to see an abundant array of flora and wildlife, many of which are exclusive to Thailand.

The forest floor in the mangroves is covered by muddy sediments formed by the tides, densely covered by horizontally grown tree roots above and below the ground. This muddy habitat is an ideal place for crabs, mudskippers and shrimps. During the low tides, many crabs and mudskippers can be seen from the boardwalk.

Recently finished, Wat Bang Thong was built with donations from the locals who wanted a beautiful temple in which to worship closer to where they live. With its glittering golden central tower reaching almost 70 metres in height, Wat Bang Thong is easily seen from hundreds of metres away.

This Temple is just a beautiful on the inside as on the outside. Adorned with colourful paintings of Buddhas journeys. with a wonderful centerpiece focussing the worshipper on a magnificent Buddha statue.

Clearly a huge undertaking, with its various buildings and encircled walls with magnificent gates x4. Having all the features recognised for a Wat ; Ubost, Viharn, Sala,Prang, Mondop, Ho Trai and of course Kuti (where monks live). You can read more about them here, in an article I wrote: https://true-travels.com/2019/01/27/whats-in-a-wat/

Along with the beautiful grounds this was a great place to visit. I hope you enjoy it too!

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Title: Mer-Ka-Ba by Jesse Gallagher

During my December break in 2021, I was in Phang Nga on my road trip around the province.

I had seen there was this huge beautiful Limestone park and wanted to visit it. About mid morning was actually a good time to go and visit, still cool enough , but also busy enough. I say busy, but actually most of the visitors were locals doing their morning exercise and jogging.

As we walked around the main pathway through the park, it became apparent why the locals stayed within the main pathway. There, are we found out for ourselves, in due course, two very large troupes of Macaque monkeys. With the lack of tourists and people they have made larger areas of the park their home.

We did narrowly avoid a major skirmish between the two alpha males and their harems. Along with about 20 offspring. Nearly finding ourselves with our backs up against the locked railings at the other end of the park we stayed absolutely still and made no sudden movements or noise that might attract their attention.
Thankfully they all ran like a river of water towards the limestone cliffs and disappeared into the trees. We carefully made our way back , keeping to the main paths.

I did manage before that to get some interesting views of the cliffs, and the surrounding area, I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

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Title: Anomalous Hedges by The Mini Vandals

What a truly beautiful situation for a Wat, by the beach! A totally wooden Wat made of Thai Teak, intricately carved window shutters, each panel carved with devotion and great skill.

Information translated from Thai;

Religious place outstanding with the Ubosot, golden teak wood carved with traditional Thai carving patterns, located close to the beach, next to the Andaman Sea.

The full name of this temple is Wat Tesk Thammanawa. It is located in the area under the supervision of the Royal Forest Department. Given permission to be established as Buddhism and Forest Demonstration Center under the supervision of Wat Prachathikaram In the past, the area around the temple was a forest area filled with pine forests and various tropical plants. They are therefore called "Pa Tha Sai" and this place. It used to be a “cemetery” before. due to the past This Tha Sai Forest Local residents and neighborhoods When someone dies, the body will be cremated or buried in this "Tha Sai forest". Which the villagers call it "Ao Rao" or a basin in the cemetery.

Later, Phra Ajarn Winai Rattanawanno, a student of Luang Pu Tesk Tesrangsi, renovated the area and built a teak church at Wat Tha Sai. It is constructed in a Thai style building modeled after Phra Aranyawasee Ubosot, Tha Bo District, Nong Khai Province, to be built with golden teak wood. The church's bouquet is carved by Chiang Mai craftsmen. The outstanding work of Buddhist art is the window panes that have been carved in the most beautiful traditional Thai patterns. When the window is opened, it opens up to the sea. inside teak church with a wall covering with the chairman's altar Enshrined a Buddha image in the posture of preaching, carved from white jade stone, Indian style. His face is full of mercy.

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Credit to: The Sleeping Prophet by Jesse Gallagher