Pa Mok - Wiset Chai Chan

Despite the fact that Ang Thong is just a hundred kilometres or so north of Bangkok, the province is often overlooked by holidaymakers. Some might say that most of Ang Thong's attractions are nothing but wats. Well, that's kind of true. But guess what...the temples here are so different from one another. And each of them, I must say, is very interesting.

Well, first let's get yourself to Highway 329 which, as you can see in the accompanying map, branches off from Highway 32. Eight kilometres and a half along the 329 you'll find an intersection.

Here turn left to get onto Highway 309 which takes you southward to Wat Sa Kaew and Wat Tha Suthawat, about six kilometres or so down the road.

To reach Wat Pa Mok, retrace to the mentioned intersection then turn left. Shortly after that you'll find yourself going on a big bridge over the Chao Phraya River. At the foot of the bridge veer left onto a smaller road that leads to Pa Mok town. Wat Pa Mok and the drum making village are not far from the small town.

After visiting Wat Pa Mok and the drum shops, get back to the bridge, back to the east side of the river and back to that old intersection where your road crosses path with Highway 309. Turn left onto the 309 and head north to the provincial town of Ang Thong.

From Ang Thong, take Highway 3195 toward Wiset Chai Chan. About 4.5 kilometres along the 3195, you'll find on your left a side road to Wat Muang. (You can see the wat's giant Buddha from the highway.)

From Wat Muang, get back to the 3195 and continue westward. At Wiset Chai Chan, just a few hundred metres before the bridge that spans the Noi River, there's a soi that leads to Nai Dok-Nai Thong Kaew Monument. There are a few turns in the soi but all you have to do is ask people for "Pu Dok-Pu Kaew", as the locals respectfully call their heroes, and you'll have no trouble finding the monument.

To go to Wat Khien, drive back to the 3195, go across the Noi River, drive through Wiset Chai Chan town till you reach a big intersection. Wat Khien is on Highway 3454, less than a kilometre from the intersection.
Bangkok Post June 06 www.bangkokpost.com