Wat Sothon Tour-Bang Pakong River Buddha

Its 6.00 AM, you’re in your hotel and you’re wide awake. You jetted in on a red eye non-stop flight arriving in Bangkok around midnight. You can’t sleep anymore. What to do at this hour? Nothing opens ‘till 10.00 AM and the night life doesn’t start pumping until after 10.00 PM.

Get up, get ready and get a little Thai culture under your belt. Visit the amazing temple known as Wat Sothon. Situated on the west bank of the Bang Pakong River, Wat Sothon is located some 100 kilometers east of Bangkok, in the city of Chachoengsao. Enshrined in a new gigantic hall is Phra Phutthasothon, or "Luang Pho Sothon" regarded as one of the most revered Buddha images in Thailand. The image, in the attitude of meditation, measuring 1.65 metres wide at the lap and 1.98 metres high, is always seen entirely pasted with gold leaves by worshipers. Two annual fairs celebrating the image fall in the 5th and the 12th lunar months (around April and November).

To reach this amazing attraction, and remain within the two dollar price limit is not difficult if you travels by train from Bangkok. The Eastern line train can be boarded at any of many stations starting at Bangkok’s main Hualamphong Station (Satani Rote Fai) .

Chachoengsao trains (Eastern Line) depart approximately hourly from 5.55 AM. Last train to depart for Bangkok leaves Chachoensao at 8.05 PM. Check the State Railways of Thailand web site below for the latest timetable and fares. At the time of writing there are three fares offered. 1^st Class 57 Baht. 2^nd Class 30 Baht and 3^rd Class 13 Baht. Note the departure time from Chachoensao back to Bangkok for your return trip planning.

Step one. Print out this article before you leave home, or download it into your PDA, and take it with you. If you forget, that’s okay you can go online in Bangkok at any of hundreds of Internet cafes, download & print it there.

Step two. Go to the concierge desk in your hotel lobby and get the following information:

• Ask how to get to Hualamphong Station (Satani Rote Fai Hualamphong). This tour starts from Hualamphong station.
• A hotel business card with the return address in Thai writing on it. This is important. You may get lost and have to take a Meter Taxi back to the hotel! Hey, there’s no extra charge for getting lost!
• The nearest ATM machine location or money changer. You want some small Baht bills.

Step three. If your accommodation is closer to Sukumvit then got to the Asoke Train Station (Satani Rote Fai). Asoke station can be reached by any number of means including:

• The MRT from Sukumvit Asoke Station (One Stop-Phetchaburi).
• BMTA Bus # 38 running from Sukumvit along Asoke Road. Get off when you see the railway crossing. Remember to ask the bus attendant "Asoke Satani Rote Fai."
• Taxi. Ask your hotel concierge to direct the taxi to “Asoke Satani Rote Fai."

Step four. At Hualamphong station buy a single ticket, 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd class to Chachoengsao Station. At Chachoengsao station (1.13-2 hours depending on the type of service) get off the train and catch a local bus to Wat Sothon. Walk away from the station straight ahead to the street. Brush off the Tuk Tuk Drivers and Temple Touts by saying "Mai Krap," while smiling. At the street you will find a number of yellow pickup buses. They meet the train arrival and go to Wat Sothon. Fare - 7 Baht You can walk it (2 Kilometers). Just say “Wat Sothon U Teenai Krap?” if you are male and Wat Sothon U Teenai Ka.” If you are female. Use a rising tone as in a question. “Wat Sothon is where?”

Step five. At the Temple bus stop you will see a very large building (See photo). This where the Buddhas will be housed when the temple is finished. The main action however is to the right of the large building in a separate single story older building, as you face the large building. Here you will find local people paying their respects to the various Buddhas and sacred artifacts. Here also you will see the Temple Dancers performing every few minutes. Notice how during their rest between dances strict seniority is maintained. The older dancers sit in the first row facing the cooling fans!

Step six. When you have had your fill of all the cultural activities going in the Buddha hall, exit to the street and cross over to the small market opposite the main Temple building. Here you may safely get something to eat and drink or buy some local delicacy to take back to Bangkok. The yellow pickup buses leave for Chachoengsao train station from the street outside this market. The buses generally appear at time designed to connect with the next train departure. Fare back to the station is 7 Baht. The station stop is the last stop. Buy your ticket back to Bangkok and enjoy the trip. Always something different and new to see, hear, feel and smell.

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Useful links.

State Railway of Thailand. http://www.railway.co.th/english/index.asp

MRT Bangkok. http://www.bangkoksite.com/MRTA/Route1A.htm

Wat Sothon. http://www.thaibuddhist.com/wat_sothorn.htm

© Copyright Geoff Ogilvie 2007-2018