IN KING NARAI’S TRAIL

SINGBURI – AYUTTHAYASINGBURI – AYUTTHAYA

By Tricky Vandenberg

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 the 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 PROJECT

Recce Track Bang Phutsa - Pho Kao Ton (1/3) executed on 12 Feb 10.

30 Km – long route goes west of the City of Lopburi.

ConclusionMouth 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.

THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECT

Minor obstacles:Fishing nets on 2 places near Asian Highway

Bridge.Floating bridge near Tha Wung Yellow Bridge

Major obstaclesTwo dams

Ton Pho Dam Pho Kao Ton Dam

Mouth of Lopburi

River

Asian Highway

Ton Pho Dam

Wat Tuk Racha

Fishing nets

Fishing nets

Wat Phra

Prang Muni

DAY I – TRACK IDAY I – TRACK I

Mouth of the Lopburi River (confluence with the Chao Phraya River) near Bang Phutsa. Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

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

View of Ton Pho Dam.Kayaks to be taken out of the water priorarriving at the dam. Ropes needed to ascend and descend the sloops. Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

Muang Mu – Fishing net obstacle.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

View under the Asian Highway Bridge – Fishing net obstacle.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

View from Wat Phra Prang Muni Bridge.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

View South of Wat Phra Prang Muni.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

R&R Point 1Wat Pho Sri

Wat Pak Nam Bridge

Wat Phrom Buri Bridge

Wat Rampharam

Bridge

DAY I – TRACK I/IIDAY I – TRACK I/II

View from Wat Pak Nam Bridge.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

View from Wat Phrom Buri BridgePhoto taken 12 Feb 10.

View from Wat Pho Sri Bridge.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

Rest & Recuperation Point 1

View from Wat Rampharam Bridge.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

Tha WungYellow Bridge

Wat KetBridge

Wat Pinyo Samoson Bridge

Wat Tha RatBridge

Wat SuaBridge

R& R Point 2Wat Pak Khlong

BridgeDAY I – TRACK IIDAY I – TRACK II

View from Wat Ket Bridge.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

View from Wat Pinyo Samoson Bridge.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

View from Tha Wung – Yellow Bridge.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

View from Wat Tha Rat Bridge.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

View from Wat Sua Bridge.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

View from Wat Pak Khlong Bridge.Location: Bang Khu.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

Rest & Recuperation Point 2

Pho Talat Kaew

Crossing

Wat Sanam Chai Bridge

DAY I – TRACK IIIDAY I – TRACK III

View from Pho Talad Kaew Road crossing.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

View from Wat Sanam Chai Bridge.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

OvernightPho Kao Ton

Dam

Wat Pho Ngam Bridge

Wat Phrom Mat Bridge

Narai PalaceLopburi

Wat Pho Rahat Bridge

Wat Thong Thaeng Bridge

Wat Klang Bridge

Wat Amphowan

Bridge

Wat Thep Khankhon

Bridge

DAY I – TRACK IIIDAY I – TRACK III

View from Wat Thong Thaeng Bridge.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

View from Wat Pho Rahat Bridge.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

View from Wat Klang BridgePhoto taken 12 Feb 10.

View of Wat Amphowan Bridge.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

View of Wat Thep Khankhon Bridge.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

View from Wat Prom Mat Bridge.Confluence with Chonlaprathan (canal) at Lopburi City.Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

View of Wat Pho Ngam BridgePhoto taken 12 Feb 10.

View from Pho Kaw Ton DamPhoto taken 12 Feb 10.Night stop

DAY II

THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECT

Recce Track Pho Kao Ton – Maha Rat (2/3) executed on 20 Feb 10.

30 Km – long route goes south of the City of Lopburi.

Conclusions:No water hyacinth blocking passages.River is fairly open.Sufficient water level.No obstacles.

Proposed Rest & Recuperation points: (later)

Wat Bua

Wat Khok Pho Kun

Chon Bridge

Wat Luang Suwanaram

Bridge

Wat Thammikawa

t Bridge

DAY II – TRACK IVDAY II – TRACK IV

View from Wat Bua. Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

View from Wat Thammikawat Bridge.Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

View from Wat Suwanaram Bridge.Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

View from Wat Khok Pho Kun Chon Bridge.Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

Wat Krajiaw Bridge

Wat Pho LoiBridge Wat Ban

DabBridge

Wat TakoBridge

Wat BotBridge

Wat Yan Sen

Bridge

Wat Thao UthongBridge

Wat Luang Phor Kiauw

Bridge

DAY II – TRACK IV/VDAY II – TRACK IV/V

View from Wat Krajiaw Bridge.Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

View from Wat Pho Loi Bridge.Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

View of Wat Ban Dab Bridge.Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

View of Wat Tako Bridge.Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

View from Wat Bot Bridge.Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

View of Wat Yan Sen Bridge.Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

View from Wat Thao Uthong Bridge.Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

View from Wat Phor Kiauw Bridge.Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

Wat Sam Phaniang

Bridge

Wat KrajomBridge

Bridge on Rd Crossing

DAY II – TRACK VIDAY II – TRACK VI

View from Wat Sam Phaniang Bridge.Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

View from Wat Krajom Thong Bridge.Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

View from Bridge near road crossing of Rd 3267-347 and 3196.Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

DAY III

(Track III will be reconnoitered in the near future and this presentation will be updated accordingly.)

THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECTPreparation - 08 July 2010

1800 Hr – Start pick-up of participants & kayaks.

1930 Hr – Departure to Bang Phutsa.2030 Hr – Deposit of kayaks at Wat Tuk Racha.2100 Hr – Lodging at Hotel “Sweet Inn” at

Bang Phutsa.

THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECT

Day I – 09 July 20100445 Hr – Wake up & early morning snack. 0530 Hr – Departure Track I.0800 Hr – Resting Point at Wat Pho Sri & breakfast.0900 Hr – Departure Track II.1130 Hr – Resting Point at Wat Po Talad Kaew &

lunch.1600 Hr – Departure Track III.1830 Hr – Deposit of kayaks at Wat Khok Mo.1900 Hr – Overnight stay at hotel in Lopburi &

diner.

THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECTDay II – 10 July 2010

0445 Hr – Wake up & early morning snack. 0530 Hr – Departure Track IV.0800 Hr – Resting Point at Wat Ban Dab & breakfast.0900 Hr – Departure Track V.1130 Hr – Resting Point at Wat Luang Phor Khiauw

& lunch. Excursion to King Narai’s Palace.1600 Hr – Departure Track VI.1830 Hr – Deposit of kayaks at (later).1900 Hr – Overnight stay at hotel in Bang Na &

diner.

THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECTDay III – 11 July 2010

0445 Hr – Wake up & early morning snack. 0530 Hr – Departure Track VII.0800 Hr – Resting Point at (later) & breakfast.0900 Hr – Departure Track VIII.1130 Hr – Resting Point at (later) & lunch.1500 Hr – Departure Final Track IX.1730 Hr – Arrival at Wat Tong Pu (Final point)1800 Hr – Transport of participants & kayaks

home.2000 Hr – Drink.

The Kayak Route can be viewed on Google map at URL:http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=nl&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=106040646098684588940.00047ec0faf57e39f617e