Chachoengsao, a charming ancient city

#Roaming around to eat and take photos

#Great trip to 5 districts

If we talk about old and charming cities near Bangkok, "Chachoengsao" must definitely be one of the list. This province is very diverse both for its nature and lifestyle. It also has nice food and sacred temple. It is such an ideal place to travel for fun and relax. What's more, it is also very close to Bangkok.

Today I will take everyone to eat, take photos and roam around Chachoengsao province. We will visit 5 districts within 2 days and 1 night. This trip, we drive our personal car which takes only about an hour. Since each destination is not far from one another, we are able to travel to every place within 2 days.

First of all, you may be wondering what Chachoengsao has to offer. Let's follow our plan to roam and eat as much as possible. In this trip, we travel to 5 districts in Chachoengsao: Bang Khla, Muang, Khlong Khuean, Ban Pho and Phanom Sarakham.

Below is our plan, I have to say it's very full and fun.

#อำเภอบางคล้า Bang Khla District
1. Bang Khla Floating Market
2. Nai Raem Noodle Shop
3. Kuay Jab at Bang Khla Tri-junction (Pork Belly Rice Noodle Soup)
4. Crispy Sweet Noodle Khun Ya Pool
5. Wat Pho Bang Khla
6. Wat Pak Nam Jolo
7. Palm Juice Village
8. Lung Daeng Coconut Farm
9. Tara Bang Khla Resort Chachoengsao

#อำเภอเมือง Muang District
1. Wat Saman Rattanaram

#อำเภอคลองเขื่อน Khlong Khuean District
1. Suanpalm Farmnok (palm and birds farm)
2. Khlong Khuean Ganesha Park

#อำเภอบ้านโพธิ์ Ban Pho District
1. Mini Murrah Farm

#อำเภอพนมสารคาม Phanom Sarakham District
1. Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center
2. Baan Melon
3. Jae Bo Original Recipe of Pak Mo Noodle (Thai Steamed Dumpling)
4. Jae Tim Pak Mo Noodle Phanom Sarakham (Thai Steamed Dumpling)
5. Khanom Kui Chai Jae Im, Kokanun

#Bang Khla District

Destination 1: Bang Khla Floating Market

This is a huge floating market which consists of 5 bamboo boats. We can buy all the food here. It provides chairs and tables for us to sit and enjoy the food which we can buy from any shops. Food, beverages, snack, vegetables, fresh fruits and clothes are available for us to shop here.

Bang Khla Floating Market is a community market where local people bring out their fresh products from the farm to sell here.

Products sold here are quite diverse. It is also a good mix of the old and modern Thai. Packaging made from banana leaves and all beverages are put in clay containers. There is a wide selection of delicacies such as Som Tam, Pork Satay, Grilled Shrimps, Grilled Squid and several other Thai desserts.

Bang Khla Floating Market is also special where it has beautiful scenery on the banks of Bang Pakong River. It has rich nature with abundant resources in mangrove forest like shrimp, fish, plants, even way of life of local people where you would see them catching fish or shrimp near the river bank.

Bang Khla Floating Market has port stretching into the river.

Location: Bang Khla Floating Market is located in Bang Khla district, Chachoengsao province. Bang Khla district is considered a huge district in Chachoengsao province.

Opening hours: Sat-Sun, 8.00-18.00 p.m. and also during long holidays

Destination 2: Nai Raem Noodle Shop

This is a famous noodle of Bang Khla. Visitors love to stop by here due to the soft noodle and delicious soup. There are also delicious pork satay which go so well with noodle. Just thinking about it now, I'm already mouth watering.

Location: 75/14 Rabiepkit Anusorn Road, Bang Khla sub-district, Bang Khla district, Chachoengsao province 24110

It is situated on the opposite site of Kasikorn Bank (after passing Bang Khla bus terminal, the shop is located on the far end of the parking lot opposite to Kasikorn Bank).

Opening Hours: Daily, 8.00-15.30 p.m.

Destination 3: Kuay Jab at Bang Khla Tri-junction

A mellow tasty Kuay Jab is what define this restaurant. It is located at the tri-junction where you can simply turn left to find it. In addition to Kuay Jab, their crispy pork is also very delicious.

If you love it, you could also pack some home.

Location: Soi Kitcharat (in front of Rungrot Witthaya School)

Opening Hours: Daily ,08.30 - 17.00 p.m.

Destination 4: Crispy Sweet Noodle Khun Ya Pool

It is a souvenir that everyone must bring home. These sweet noodle are freshly made daily.

It is so attractive due to its fine process, fresh, crispy, delicious, offers a various selection of flavors and the price is also not expensive. Each box is 35 THB and you can also buy 3 for 100 THB.

This is an original recipe, the taste is so good.

Location: It is located inside Bang Khla Floating Market.

Opening Hours: Sat-Sun 08.00 – 18.00 p.m. and during long holidays

Destination 5: Wat Pho Bang Khla

Wat Pho Bang Khla is located at Bangkla district, Chachoengsao province. According to the narratives of local elders, it was unclear as of when this temple was built. However, It is presumed to have been built from the late Ayutthaya period and used to be the resident of King Taksin when he fought with Burmese army at the mouth of the bay (around a kilometer away). This happened around 1766.

The front of the temple houses a hundreds-year-old Viharn with late Ayutthaya period style. This roof was repaired in 1942 and then it was all collapsed. Therefore, in 1998, the entire new set of roof was built to replace the old ones.

A reclining Buddha was enshrined inside this ancient Viharn.

Inside the temple is very shady and full of trees. Another very interesting thing is hen bats. This temple has several hundreds of hen bats which would hag onto branches during daytime and are clearly visible.

It's unclear since when hen bat has resided here but they are quite huge. From what I see, I think each of them could weight up to a kilogram.

Location: Bang Khla district, Chachoengsao province

Destination 6: Wat Pak Nam Jolo

Let's get to know about the history of Wat Pak Nam Jolo a bit.
It was built during King Taksin era when he led the army to fight at Chanthaburi. When he won the battle near the river bank, he has this pagoda built as a memory. It is said that the name was derived from the fact that King Taksin the Great sailed the boat alone to lure Burmese army that he was coming alone. Then, he had his army ambushed and won finally. Hence, it was named "Chao Lo" (King's sailing) and then the sound was eventually pronounced as "Jo Lo". Another saying said that this area has lots of snappers and Chinese people call it "Jo Lo". Or, it could be because this temple was located at Pak Nam Jo Lo, so it is conveniently called "Wat Pak Nam Jo Lo".

Here is the only golden color Ubosot in Thailand. Both indoor and outdoor paintings are so spectacular.

Location: 51/1 Moo 7 Ban Pak Nam, Bang Khla district, Chachoengsao province 24110

Opening Hours: Daily, 8.00 – 17.00 p.m.

Destination 7: Palm Juice Village

Palm Juice village which is located at Moo 11, Bang Khla district is a place that still keep the traditional way of making palm juice. It is also preserving a culture of way of making living of local people and pass it down to later generations and general public so that this local wisdom of making palm juice could stay with Thai society. We can also see how they make palm juice and palm sugar. it is certainly another interesting agro-tourism place.

This village is the only place to produce ready-to-drink palm juice in the eastern region of Thailand.

It is a pity that we didn't get to see the local climb the tree because palm are still few so we miss the opportunity to see this process during the rainy season. The villager told us to come back again after the end of rainy season.

Location: Palm juice village, Moo 11, Paknam sub-district, Bang Khla District, Chachoengsao

Opening Hours: Daily

Destination 8: Lung Daeng Coconut Farm

This is another great agro-tourism place. In addition to be able to drink fresh coconut juice from coconut trees, we get to walk around the farm and learn more about agricultural knowledge.

Enjoying a fresh coconut juice right from the tree is so refreshing....

Apart from walking around the farm, we also get to paddle the boat around for fun.

You can also get to enjoy swinging. Although it's very fun, please be careful to swing well and not to fall into the water.

Here is our little tour guide who is a niece to the owner. She takes us around by her bicycle and takes such a good care of us, she's so lovely.

Khanom Chak is also sold here. It is freshly cooked with shredded coconut, so yummy.

It is 5 THB a piece, comes in such a good quantity and so delicious.

Location: Moo 6, Sao Cha Ngok sub-district, Bang Khla district, Chachoengsao province

Opening Hours: Daily and free of charge for the visit

Destination 9: Tara Bang Khla Resort

Tara Bang Khla Resort is located on the bank of Bang Pakong River.

It is uniquely decorated, just like an art gallery among shady and peaceful nature. You can take a walk around for as long as you want without feeling bored. The resort has a lot of collections for us to see and offers us lots of chic angles to take photos as well.

We choose to stay at the house near the river. Simply open the door and Bang Pakong River is right in front of us. It is so refreshing, just love it so much.

Here it is, our room, right on the bank of Pang Pakong River.

Resort internal atmosphere

Evening atmosphere from our room

Morning atmosphere from our room

Enjoying food while watching Bang Pakong River view is just so amazing.

Location: 39/5 Moo 7 Chachoengsao-Bang Khla Road, Hua Sai sub-district, Bang Khla district, Chachoengsao province 24110

#Muang District

Destination: Wat Saman Rattanaram

This temple has the largest reclining Ganesha in Thailand. The pink Ganesha is 16 meters high and 22 meters long in half sitting and half reclining posture. On the left hand, he holds the broken ivory while the lotus is in his right hand. On his base, there are 32 postures of him for us to pray and make a wish. This reclining posture symbolizes luxury, comfort, wealth and prosperity. Lord Ganesha is also a sacred thing for people in Chachoengsao province.

Let's whispering at the mouse's ear?....It's believed to be one forms of asking for a wish.

Let's pay a homage to the Buddha Sheltered by Naga Hood.

Bodhisattva Guan Yin Giving Child Posture

Atmosphere inside Wat Saman Rattanaram

The world's largest Thao Mahaprom Shrine

Here we can worship Phra Rahu too.

Golden Rock Pagoda

Make a wish, write it out, and hang it on this tree

Location: On the bank of Bang Pakong River, Moo 11, Bang Keow sub-district, Muang district, Chachoengsao province

#Khlong Khuean District

Destination 1: Suanpalm Farmnok

Let's relax and get close to several species of parrots at Suanpalm Farmnok.

There are more than 2,000 parrots and 80 rare species raised in a natural environment.

These parrots are very intelligent.

The entrance fee is 120 THB per person.

This is not include a golf cart rental fee, bicycle, and bird feeding fee which is the highlight here.

The fee to go feed the bird is 100 THB and food is 20 THB each time.

Parrots love eating sunflower seeds.

Everywhere is full of various species of palm trees.

We can walk to see a variety of parrots displayed in cages.

In addition to parrots, this place also has other animals.

Aren't they cute? They are waiting for us to feed them some grass.

Location: Bang Talat sub-district, Khlong Khuean district, Chachoengsao province

Opening Hours: Daily, 9.30-17.00 p.m.

Destination 2: Khlong Khuean Ganesha Park

This is a standing Lord Ganesha symbolizing success. It was built to promote tourism in Chachoengsao and Thailand as a whole. It is also to promote career development, agricultural products selling channel, create local jobs, and as a valuable memorial sculpture which will last for many generations to come.

The world's largest bronze success standing Ganesha

This bronze standing Ganesha is outstandingly stood on the bank of Bang Pakong River, Khlong Khuean district. This park also built other sacred things for people to come pay respect and pray.

Location: Khlong Khuean district, Chachoengsao province

Opening Hours: Daily, 08.00-18.00 p.m.

#Ban Pho District

Destination: Mini Murrah Farm

It is the only agro-tourism on Murrah buffalo in Thailand. This farm has area for feeding animals, agricultural demonstration and farm-made style restaurant.

This is a fun destination for kids. Kids get to be close to animals which are not dangerous at all. Besides, there're a lot of workshop activities like making pizza, making ice cream from Murrah buffalo milk, gardening vegetables and farming rice, etc. Kids love these activities a lot.

Making salted eggs activity

Making pizza activity

Making pancake activity

Feeding animal activity

Kids are having fun sliding down the mud slider after finishing rice farming activity.

A lot of activity zones are provided.

Murrah buffalo ice cream is so delicious.

Feeding milk to Murrah buffalo activity

Feeding milk to fish activity, loads of them....

You can also come play with them like us.

You will find these little pigs walking around the farm.

Prices for different activities

Get to see the earthworm cultivation closely.......

There's also a restaurant providing food and beverages inside the farm.

Location: 79/4 Moo 2 Sip Et Sok sub-district, Ban Pho district, Chachoengsao province 24140

Opening hours: Daily, 10.00 - 20.00 p.m.

#Phanom Sarakham District

Destination 1: Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center

It is an agricultural study center raising animals, farming, and fishery.

The objective of Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Center is to study, conduct experiment, research and develop agricultural land.

This is the atmosphere inside Khao Sin Sorn Royal Development Study Center.

Location: At the km. 53 Chachoengsao-Kabinburi, near the highway number 304

Destination 2: Baan Melon

Let's stop for delicious melon and take a tour inside the farm.

The front of Baan Melon is a restaurant where several beverages, food and snack are provided for us to enjoy.

If you love these melons, you can also take them home too.

We can enjoy the melon in a very close up fashion.

There's also a sheep farm where we can stop by to feed them.

And a lot of angles for us to take photos

Location: 99/9 Moo 2, 304 Road, Khao Hin Sorn sub-district, Phanom Sarakham district, Chachoengsao province 24120

Opening Hours: Mon-Tue-Thurs 11.00 -19.00 p.m., Fri-Sun 09.00 - 19.00 p.m. and the farm closes on Wednesdays

Destination 3: Jae Bo Original Recipe of Pak Mo Noodle

Jae Bo Original Recipe of Pak Mo Noodle is certainly one of the must not miss restaurants in Phanom Sarakham district. There're a lot of stuffing for us to choose along with delicious soup.....which are freshly made, so good.

Location: Turn left at Phanom Sarakham intersection and then go straight to the house number 5 and you will find it (it is located opposite to Phanom Photo Digital shop).

Destination 4: Jae Tim Pak Mo Noodle Phanom Sarakham

Here is Jae Tim Pak Mo noodle in Phanom Sarakham.

It is one of the first shops in Phanom Sarakham which has operating more than 50 years.

This shop is located inside Phanom Sarakham market which is hard to find a parking place. It's better to park outside and walk inside.

If you come here during noon time, it'd be a lot of people where you have to queue but I guarantee that it's definitely worth a waiting time.

Location: Phanom Sarakham market, Sukhaphiban 8, Phanom Sarakham district

Destination 5: Khanom Kui Chai Jae Im, Kokanun

A thin flour of Kui Chai is deliciously matched with yummy dipping sauce.

Original stuffing of Kui Chai

It's really a thin flour and heavy stuffing.

Location: Soi Thetsaban 1, Chachoengsao (turn right from the Phanom Sarakham intersection and then go straight for about 3 km and keep your attention on a sign on your right hands and then turn into Soi Thetsaban 1).

How's our travel plan? Is it fun? haha. If you travel in our style, you will find it's all fully planned with lots of food.

Please give it a try and go to enjoy Chachoengsao, a province where there're still many places and food waiting to wow us. This is only a 2 days 1 night trip so we can only go to the nearby attractions.

P.S This time we travel with our own personal car so the expenses depend on how much we eat and how many places we are traveling to.

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