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Bangkok Travelbug Feb 2022 Scenic Beauty in Lopburi
February 09, 2022
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Scenic Beauty in Lopburi

Dear friends and readers, for those who are celebrating the Lunar New Year of the Tiger, Gong Xi Fa Cai. May you and your families be blessed with good health, happiness and prosperity.

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you too. Valentine's Day also marks the 19th anniversary of my stay in Thailand. So it's a happy occasion for me as well.

In this issue we get away from the historical ruins in Lopburi City to explore the natural beauty in the province as far as 100 km from the city centre.

Our tour will cover a sunflower field, a viewing point on a mountain, the largest dam and catchment area in Thailand, a wildlife sanctuary and a temple on a mountain.

Let's take a look at each of these places in Lopburi.

Contents (click on the link to go directly to the topic)


Wicharn Sunflower Field

It was November when we visited Lopburi; the start of the sunflower season. It would be a shame to miss out on these beautiful flowers even though I've viewed them a couple of times before. So, we turned into route 3017 at the Nikom Sang Ton Eng junction to look for these flowers.

But it was so different from my first visit here in 2009. Back then the sunflower fields could be seen from the main road. It took just a short walk to get to the fields. This time round, the buildings were right up to the main road. We had to ask our way to the sunflower fields.

The staff at a gas station kindly directed us to this field; Wicharn Sunflower Field. After a short drive, we arrived at the sunflower field.


The Wicharn Sunflower Field

Unlike in the past when there was no entrance fee, this field had an entrance fee. There was also a small market to walk through to get to the entrance.

At the market we bought some packets of sunflower seeds which provided a crunchy and aromatic snack.


Coconut flavoured crunchy sunflower seeds

When we entered the field, the sunflowers were as glorious as ever.


Among the blooms

I've always had a fascination with sunflowers since I first came to live in Thailand. That feeling is just as strong today.


Parting shots

For more on these sunflower fields, please see Sunflowers of Lopburi

Contents

Khao Phraya Doenthong

Our next stop was Khao Phraya Doenthong, a viewing point up on a mountain. From here we had a panoramic view of the Pasak Chonlasit Dam, the catchment area and beyond.

It's not far from the sunflower field but the going was slow as we were driving uphill.


The way up

The view was breath-taking at the top. It was like having the whole north-eastern sector of Lopburi right at our feet us, a wonderful experience. Initially it was very cloudy and misty in the distance. We couldn't get a clear of the reservoir.


View from the top

Later in the morning when the sun was stronger, the view cleared.


Pasak Jolasid Reservoir and beyond


A memorable sight

Contents

Pasak Chonlasit Dam

The Pasak Chonlasid Dam was opened on 25 Nov 1999. With a length of 4.86 km, it's the longest dam in Thailand. It has a rain water catchment area 14,520 sq km and a reservoir capacity of 785 cu m.


Entrance to the Pasak Jolasid Reservoir and area

This catchment area provides irrigation and fishing areas to Lopburi and neighbouring Saraburi. Besides irrigation, the dam also generates hydroelectricity.


Placid waters of the Pasak Jolasid Reservoir


The popular monkey mascot of Lopburi

The Pasak Chonlasit Dam area is a popular picnic location for the locals.


Parting shot

Contents

Khao Somphot Wildlife Sanctuary

Next, we drove on to the Khao Somphot Wildlife Sanctuary. Even when we were on the mountain, we weren't quite sure where the sanctuary was. So, we stopped at a building to ask the way.


Ranger Station

We were in luck, the building turned out to be the ranger station. We asked the ranger where the wildlife sanctuary was and he replied that it's all around us.


Khao Sompot Wildlife Sanctuary

We took a walk around the grounds of the ranger station. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see any of the other inhabitants.


Area around the Ranger Station

Contents

Wat Khao Somphot

Wat Khao Somphot is actually on the other side of the mountain. But there's no road from where we were to the temple. We had to drive all the way down and come up to the temple by another route.


Way up to Wat Khao Somphot

There were two monks at the entrance to the temple who tested our temperatures before allowing us into the temple grounds. We were told to stay in our cars while we were in the temple grounds.

When we got in, we understood why, the whole place was overrun with monkeys, a feature of Lopburi. What's more, it was feeding time and the monkeys were out in full force.


Monkeys, monkeys everywhere

The monkeys were on the temple grounds, on the road and sometimes we had to drive off the road to avoid them. Finally, we got a glimpse of one of the temple buildings.


One of the temple buildings

On our way back, we took route 2256 across the reservoir just as the sun was setting.


Driving across the reservoir at sunset

It was twilight when we made our way back to route 3017, then back to the hotel for a nice dinner, a warm shower and a good sleep. This was a very satisfying trip, we managed to visit all the places we set out to see.


Goodbye Lopburi, till the next trip

See you next month! Stay safe and well.

Contents

Map to Scenic Beauty in Lopburi



If the map doesn’t appear, click on this link

How to get there

From Bangkok, take the Vibhavadi-Rangsit Highway past Don Muang Airport. At the northern end of the airport join Highway 1, proceed along Highway 1 till you get to the outskirts of Lopburi City. There's no need to go into the city.

Choose a hotel along Highway 1 near the Nikhom Sang Ton Eng junction or along route 3017, as this is the main road leading to all the sites to be visited. Have a nice trip.

Contents

Next month

Prasat Nakhon Luang, Ayutthaya

See you then. Have a prosperous year in 2022, the Year of the Tiger.

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Eric Lim
Tour Bangkok Legacies
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