IN KING NARAIS TRAILSINGBURI AYUTTHAYABy Tricky VandenbergUpdate 01 October 2010

AYUTTHAYA KAYAKING EXPERIENCE is a subsidiary fromAYUTTHAYA HISTORICAL RESEARCHPromoting quality ecotourism in Ayutthaya!By Tricky Vandenbergwww.ayutthaya-history.com

THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECT King Narai (r. 1656-1688) used the Lopburi River for his boat travels between the Grand Palace in Ayutthaya and the palace in Lopburi. The latter was built during the years 1665 - 1677 and once served as the King's residence and administrative center during his regular annual stay.

THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECTThe King boarded at the Wasukri landing in front of the Grand Palace in Ayutthaya, turned into Khlong Sra Bua, to join the Lopburi in the north. He disembarked at the old royal harbor at the back of the Lopburi palace and entered the Lady's Court through the western gate "Yatra Kasattri" after climbing a flight of stairs, called "the fifty-one steps".

We will follow in King Narai's steps...

THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECT

Sport event - Kayak the whole stretch from the mouth of the Lopburi River in Singburi till its confluence with the Pa Sak River in Ayutthaya.Cultural event - Experience the importance of waterways in the Ayutthayan era - the veins of life of the former Kingdom.Ecological event - Water = life. Make people aware that the river - a heaven for birds, animals and fish and a source of sweet water - should not be used as an open sewer and garbage collector. OBJECTIVES

DAY I

THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECTRecce Track Bang Phutsa - Pho Kao Ton (1/3) executed on 20 Feb 10 and 11 June 2010.30 Km - long route goes west of the City of Lopburi.Conclusion:Mouth of the river is obstructed for about 100 m.Descend of the river possible from Wat Tuk Racha onwards.No water hyacinth blocking passages.River is fairly open.Sufficient water level.Minor obstacles:Fishing nets on 2 places near Asian Highway Bridge.Floating bridge near Tha Wung Yellow Bridge.

THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECTMajor obstacles:Two dams:Ton Pho Dam.Pho Kao Ton Dam.R&R points:Wat Sri Pho.Wat Sanam Chai.Wat Khok Mo (Lodging at hotel in Lopburi).

Mouth of Lopburi RiverAsian HighwayTon Pho DamWat Tuk RachaFishing netsFishing netsWat Phra Prang MuniDAY I TRACK IRd Crossing

Mouth of the Lopburi River (confluence with the Chao Phraya River) near Bang Phutsa. Photos taken 12 Feb 10. Status: Obstructed. Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

Wat Tuk Racha Bridge.Photos taken 11 June 10. Status: Obstructed on N-side.

View near Wat Tuk Racha.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.

View near bridge over Rd 3026.Photos taken 11 June 10. Status : Weed concentration not dense.

Ton Pho Dam.Photos taken 12 Feb 10. Status: Obstruction - Kayaks to be taken out of the water prior arriving at the dam. Ropes needed to ascend and descend the sloops. Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

Ton Pho Dam

Wat Srattha Phirom BridgePhotos taken 11 June 10 . Status: Free

Muang Mu.Photos taken 12 Feb 10. Status: Fishing nets. Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

Asian Highway Bridge .Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: Fishing net obstacle.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

Wat Phra Prang Muni Bridge.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: Free.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

View South of Wat Phra Prang Muni.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: Free.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

R&R Point 1Wat Sri PhoWat Pak Nam BridgeWat Phrom Buri BridgeWat Rampharam BridgeDAY I TRACK I/II

Bridge Rd 3033.Photos taken 11 June 10.Status: Free.

Wat Pak Nam Bridge.Photos taken 12 Feb 10. Status: Free.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

Wat Phrom Buri Bridge.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: Free.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

Wat Sri Pho Bridge.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: Free.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.Rest & Recuperation Point 1/1.

Wat Rampharam Bridge.Photos taken 11 June 10.Status: Obstacle New bridge in construction.

Tha WungYellow BridgeWat KetBridgeWat Pinyo Samoson BridgeWat Tha RabBridge

Wat SuaBridge

Wat Pak KhlongBridgeDAY I TRACK II

Wat Ket Bridge.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: FreeStatus unchanged on 11 June 10.

Wat Pinyo Samoson Bridge.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: Free.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

Tha Wung Yellow Bridge.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: Free.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

Wat Tha Rab Bridge.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: Free.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

Wat Sua Bridge.Photos taken 11 June 10.Status: Free.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

Wat Pak Khlong Bridge.Location: Bang Khu.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: Free.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

Pho Talat Kaew Crossing

Wat Sanam Chai BridgeR& R Point 2

DAY I TRACK III

Pho Talad Kaew Road crossing #311.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: Free.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

Wat Sanam Chai Bridge.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: Free.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.Rest & Recuperation Point 1/2.

OvernightPho Kao Ton DamWat Pho Ngam BridgeWat Phrom Mat BridgeNarai PalaceLopburiWat Pho Rahat BridgeWat Thong Thaeng BridgeWat Klang BridgeWat Amphowan BridgeWat Thep Khun ChonBridgeDAY I TRACK IIIWat Sing BridgeWat Maprang Waan Bridge

Wat Thong Thaeng Bridge.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: Free.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

Wat Sing Bridge.Photos taken 11 June 10.Status: Free.

Wat Pho Rahat Bridge.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: Free.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

Wat Klang Bridge.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: Free.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

Wat Amphowan Bridge.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: Free.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

Wat Thep Khun Chon Bridge.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: Free.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

Wat Maprang Waan Bridge.Photos taken 11 June 10.Status: Free.

Wat Prom Mat Bridge.Confluence with Chonlaprathan (canal) at Lopburi City.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: Confluence obstructed by weed.

Wat Pho Ngam Bridge.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: Free.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.

Pho Kaw Ton Dam.Photos taken 12 Feb 10.Status: Free.Status unchanged on 11 June 10.Night stop Hotel Lopburi.

Pho Kaw Ton Dam

END OF PART I