KIHA 183 To Chachoengsao | キハ 183 ไป ฉะเชิงเทรา | Pink Ganesha | Wat Sothon Wararam | Bronze Ganesha

It’s 7 a.m., and we are at Hua Lamphong railway station, ready to board the KIHA 183 train and go on a 1-day trip to Chachoengsao.

KIHA 183 is an air-conditioned diesel rail car given to Thailand by Japan’s Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido). It has been upgraded and renovated by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) for use as a tourist train. Since then, SRT has converted one car into a locomotive for public transportation and to promote domestic travel while keeping the Japanese flavor.

Timestamps:
00:00 KIHA 183
02:25 Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan
02:50 Bang Khla Pier
03:42 Wat Pho Bang Khla
04:08 Wat Paknam Jolo is the only all-gold temple in Thailand.
04:50 Bronze Ganesha shrine in Khlong Khuean National Park
05:30 100-Year Baan Mai Market
07:28 Wat Saman Rattanaram
07:45 Huge Ganesha statue
08:08 Red and green naga dragon
08:43 Hindu God Brahma
08:53 Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy

SRT renovated the train and preserved the KIHA 183’s identity; therefore, when choosing the new color, it stayed faithful to the original, which is white with a purple tint, cut with a green line, and added the SRT logo. In addition, the seats and curtains had been thoroughly cleaned. Many Japanese signs were maintained inside the carriages, while others, both Japanese and English, were added. The doors between the carriages and the toilets are fully automatic, with pressure pads in the door mats. All the seats can be reclined, with a food tray for the rear seat passengers. More importantly, the seats can be swiveled to face the opposite direction for return journeys.

Today, KIHA 183 is going to transport us from Bangkok to Chachoengsao. We were among the first hundreds of people to board the KIHA 183 train at Hua Lamphong railway station. The trip was well organized, and we had a fantastic time exploring Chachoengsao temples, taking a boat ride down the Bang Pakong River, and visiting the 100-year-old Baan Mai market.

The trip’s highlight is definitely the KIHA 183 train; however, we never expected Chachoengsao to surprise us with beautiful temples and delicious food. So what are we waiting for?

Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan, also known as Wat Luang Pho Sothon, is an ancient temple in Chachoengsao. The Paet Riu people and tourists from around Thailand worship the Luangpho Phutthasothon, considered the most significant Buddha image in the province. It is located about two kilometers from the central market, on Maruphong Road.

Bang Khla is a brand-new floating market, open every Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We came to board the boat for our cruise down the Bang Pakong River.

Wat Pho Bang Khla – Although its ancient temple is noteworthy, a large group of fruit bats residing on the temple grounds draws a crowd of visitors here. These bats hang on tree branches during the day and fly outside in the evening for food. Even though they love fruits, these bats never consume any that the Bang Khla people farm.

Wat Paknam Jolo is the only all-gold temple in Thailand.

This Ganesha was created to promote tourism in Chachoengsao and Thailand. It is known as “Ganesha, standing on the bronze, completing the purpose.” The statue is regarded as the largest bronze Ganesha figure in the world and measures 39 meters tall.

After lunch, we walk to the 100-year Baan Mai Market, a  renowned antique market in Chachoengsao. Because it is located in a historic Thai-Chinese neighborhood that dates back more than a century, the market has a vintage feel. The market is situated along the Bang Pakong River’s bank.

Wat Saman Rattanaram is a vibrant temple with enormous statues of the Hindu gods Ganesha, Indra, Brahma, and the Chinese goddess of mercy, Guanyin.

The first statue you see is a massive, 16-meter high by 24-meter long, pink statue of reclining Ganesha. The image of Ganesha features an elephant-like head with two tusks, one of which is broken off. Four arms make up the image. The broken-off tusk is in one hand, while a lotus blossom is in the other.

A sizable figure of the Hindu deity Brahma, sitting on a pedestal with his left foot resting on pink lotuses, overlooks the river.

Guanyin, the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, is shown as a standing figure facing the river.

Thank you for watching, and I hope you enjoy this virtual tour as much as I have enjoyed my trip. Remember to click “like,” click “share,” click “Subscribe.”

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KIHA 183 To Chachoengsao | キハ 183 ไป ฉะเชิงเทรา | Pink Ganesha | Wat Sothon Wararam | Bronze Ganesha
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