Kiha-183 Excursion Train to Chachoengsao
The following is my live trip report that I posted on Facebook and Twitter as the train journey progressed. All photos were shot on my iPhone. I went on the trip on 14th January 2023.
Good morning from Bangkok Railway Station (Hua Lamphong). Today I’m on the KiHa-183 excursion train to Chachoengsao.
The KiHa-183 trains were donated by Japan. They were then refurbished in the Makkasan Workshops so that they look as good as new.
They kept the livery the same as when it was used in Japan. There also kept the information signs. The KiHa-183 trains will be used in Thailand as tourist trains.
The trip today is a package tour to Chachoengsao. The ticket price is 1,999 Baht which includes breakfast, lunch and a bus/boat tour.
Our first stop was in the middle of the bridge over the Bang Pakong River for around 20 minutes. Due to the ramp either end, this is the longest railway bridge in Thailand at a length of 1,743.20 metres. Even longer than the longest viaduct over Pasak Chonlasit reservoir.
At Chachoengsao Junction we changed to an air-conditioned bus for the tour of the province. Our first stop was at Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan. This is the biggest temple in Thailand. Thais come here to pay respect to the revered Buddha image called Luang Pho Sothon [MAP].
Our second stop in Choengsao was at Wat Chin Pracha Samosorn (Leng Hok Yi). Highlight at this Chinese shrine are three Buddha images that are remarkably made of paper [MAP].
Our lunch was a delicious and generous meal at The River Barn restaurant on the banks of the Bang Pakong Riverbin Chachoengsao. They gave us eight dishes plus fruit as a dessert [MAP].
After lunch they gave us free time to walk around Ban Mai Market, the 100 Year Old Market. [MAP].
Our next stop was Bang Khla Floating Market where they gave us twenty minutes to look around while we waited for our boat trip. If you come here by yourself, there’s plenty of good restaurants to have lunch and you can also join boat tours. [MAP].
At Bang Khla Floating Market we switched to a boat for a 40 minute tour along the Bang Pakong River. This was very enjoyable and relaxing with a lot to see along the way.
Our boat tour finished at Ganesha Park where we had 20 minutes to explore before boarding the bus. The highlight here is the world’s largest bronze Standing Ganesha. [MAP]
Our final stop on this day long tour was Wat Saman Rattanaram. The highlight was a gigantic image of a bright pink Reclining Ganesha which is 16 metres tall and 24 metres long. In Ganesha’s hands, he holds a broken tusk in one hand and a lotus flower in another. [MAP]
That’s the end of the day long trip to Chachoengsao. We are now back onboard the KiHa-183 excursion train. I hope you enjoy my photos and I’ve inspired you to visit even if you don’t go by train. By I do highly recommend this trip today. It was a lot of fun.
