Central Thailand: Getting out of the City

Do a trip report here....go to another city and want to relate it to what KC is doing right or could do better? Give us a summary in here.
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IraGlacialis
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Central Thailand: Getting out of the City

Post by IraGlacialis »

Of course, Bangkok is not the only place in Thailand. And it definitely isn't the place where to experience the most culture.
Unfortunately, due to my relatively tight schedule, I am unable to currently visit some of the further places such as Chang Mai or Phuket.
However, that doesn't mean that there isn't anything to do around central Thailand, much of it within 3 hrs of the main city. Ayutayah (the old capital city), Chonburi (pretty much the economic center, despite Bangkok holding most of the headquarters and international relations), Pattaya (for those who like to do nothing but party), as well as plenty of natural sites such as Khao Keow.

One thing to note. If you are to travel around by bus, go first class, which is distinguished by only being blue & white and can only be boarded with a pre-bought ticket.
If you see a bus with an orange stripe, DO NOT GET ON IT! That is a 2nd class bus, which ironically will charge you at least double to ride on it, will take twice as long to get to a destination, and isn't as comfortable. I made the mistake of getting on one of those buses (the guys who want you to get on those buses are extremely aggressive, sometimes going so far as gently yanking you towards their respective buses to get in it) and had to pay 200 baht. First class cost 88 baht.
IraGlacialis
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Re: Central Thailand: Getting out of the City

Post by IraGlacialis »

Ko Sichang or Sichang Island. About 40 min ferry ride from the city of Si Racha, which is about 2 hrs from the main city. Once used as a summer retreat by King Chulalongkorn but was abandoned due to a tiff with the colonialist French. Now is a fishing town just a little bigger than Peculiar, pop wise.
Currently here for my research internship. Collecting diatom and benthos samples from pre-set traps.
This is my last weekend here.

These ferries are not only responsible for transporting people, but are also repsonsible for shipping good between the island and the mainland.
No really big or complex is it. Also not that pleasant to ride in a storm, as I found to my chagrin during the last trip, especailly riding outdoors when the indoor hold was packed. Word to the wise: cameras and sea water don't mix. Shit.
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Sunrise with Si Racha in the background.
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Goats.
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Hehe... I love bad translations.
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Sichang town.
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Re: Central Thailand: Getting out of the City

Post by Highlander »

Thanks for the pics, I guessed I missed this thread earlier.  I really enjoyed getting out of European cities and into the countryside regardless of the socio-economic setting.  Surprisingly, the rural areas you show here appear to have a relatively high standard of living.  I know the feeling of being on small ferries in rough water, not pleasant.  I am curious as to what you are studying for your research internship (as in what discipline).
mean
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Re: Central Thailand: Getting out of the City

Post by mean »

I don't know how I missed this, but dude... freakin' sweet pics, thanks. Gorgeous country.
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IraGlacialis
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Re: Central Thailand: Getting out of the City

Post by IraGlacialis »

Thanks guys.
If wanted, I can pull up some more pictures.
Highlander wrote: I am curious as to what you are studying for your research internship (as in what discipline).
Marine biology. I'm a bio sci major.
Pretty much did this experiment from scratch to determine the biodiversity of planktonic species in a coral environment over a three weeks' period. Set a trap, wait a week, then bring it up to put the sample under a microscope to pretty much make a census. Mostly pennate diatoms and cilliates.
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Re: Central Thailand: Getting out of the City

Post by Highlander »

IraGlacialis wrote: Thanks guys.
If wanted, I can pull up some more pictures.Marine biology. I'm a bio sci major.
Pretty much did this experiment from scratch to determine the biodiversity of planktonic species in a coral environment over a three weeks' period. Set a trap, wait a week, then bring it up to put the sample under a microscope to pretty much make a census. Mostly pennate diatoms and cilliates.
Thanks.  Always welcome to post more pictures.  I only look at marine creatures that have been dead for a while. 
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