04 Borders: Trat

 “The only impossible journey is the one you never begin...” – Tony Robbins

(Wat Jai Bridge in Trat)

Day 04: Wednesday, 13 Nov 2024
Route: Samut Sakhon - chanthaburi - Trat
Distance: 389 km (5:40)
Hotel: Pailin Resort, Trat

Breakfast with half boiled eggs, bread, pineapple juice and Nescafe in the hotel room.

(Driving out of Samut Sakhon)

(A new elevated highway under construction)

(Driving on a tolled highway)

(A six lane Inter-city elevated highway)

(Smooth traffic all the way)

(Ice-cream break at Nong Samsak PTT)

Checked out and collected our deposit of B500. Drove on the Bang Na Expressway to Chon Buri. Also known as Burapha Withi Expressway, it is a six-lane elevated highway in Thailand. It is a toll road running above National Highway 34. Next, we took the motorway to Chanthaburi and had lunch at Chanthaburi Muslim Restaurant. This is our usual stop for lunch whenever we are in this province.

(Detouring to Chanthaburi town)

(Parking our bigfoot at the Chantanimit riverside)

(786 Muslim Restaurant of Chanthaburi)

(Murtabak, Bryani and beef curry for lunch)

Visited Masjid Muhajirin, which was quite run down then drove to Tamil Muslim Association Mosque for jamak prayers. We visited both mosques during our previous trips here.

(Masjid Muhajirin of Chanthaburi)

(The main prayer hall of Masjid Muhajirin)

(Tamil Muslim Association Mosque of Chanthaburi)

( The spacious main prayer hall)

(A replica of the Tamil Mosque)

Arrived in Trat around 4.00 pm. We drove to Baan Nam Chiao located not too far from Trat City. Baan Nam Chiao is a small fishing village located on both sides of the Nam Chiao canal. The community is made up of Khmer Malay Muslims, Chinese, and Thais living together harmoniously. Some houses are on stilts and connected by small concrete alley only can be accessible from the main road by motorcycles. We had to park and walk quite a distance to explore the attractions.

(Heading towards Thailand/Cambodian border)

(Arriving in the town of Trat)

(The fishing village of Baan Nam Chiao)

(The canal of Nam Chiao)

The most popular landmark at Ban Nam Chiao is the Wat Jai Bridge also known as 'the Bridge to Test Your Willingness' which is a steep bridge that connects the two sides of the canal.

(The famous bridge crossing the canal)

(A muslim cafe along the canal)

There is a mosque, a Chinese and a Thai Buddhist temples within the vicinity. Masjid Kubro located by the canal is over 200 years old, and is the religious center for Muslims there. It has been renovated several times over the years. There are a few small halal eateries along the canal. We packed seafood rice and iced Thai tea for dinner later.

(The 200 years old Masjid Kubro)

On the way back to the hotel we visited Masjid Raudatul Jinnan, the Central Mosque of Trat which is located along the main road. It is a large mosque catering to the Muslims in Trat.

(Masjid Raudatul Jinnan)

(The Central Masque of Trat)

Tonight we checked in Pailin Resort at Rm86/night. Pailin Resort is a cozy resort with both adjoining and single chalets available.

(The reception area)

(Chalets and adjoining rooms available)

(A simple clean room for the night)

05 Borders: Aranyaprathet

If you want to make your dreams come true, the first thing you have to do is wake up... - J.M. Power

(The Golden Cliff Beach)

Day 05: Thursday, 14 Nov 2024
Route: Trat - Had Lek - Aranyaprathet
Distance: 407 km (5:49)
Hotel: Baan Sabuy Jung, Aranyaprathet

We had simple complimentary breakfast for two with sunny-side up eggs and toast and a free flow of coffee.

(Trat Pailin Resort dining hall)

(A simple complimentary breakfast)

Checked-out by 7.30 am and headed towards the Thailand/Cambodia border. Stopped for photo opportunities at The Narrowest Part of Thailand. The narrow strip of land measured from the western coast to the head of Khao Banthat dividing Thailand and Cambodia, measuring about 150 m. It is located in Ban Khot Sai Village in Khlong Yai District.

(Heading towards the Cambodian Border)

(Passing through the quiet Khlong Yai town)

(The Narrowest Part of Thailand)

(A long and winding road along the rocky beach)

Stopped at Thailand/Cambodia Border Check-point at Hat Lek/Cham Yiem which was not very busy at this time of the day. This Immigration Checkpoint is relatively quiet with less hassle. This border is one of our favorite entry points into Cambodia. We crossed this border quite a number of times before with our motorbikes and Bigfoot. The border opens from 06.00 – 22.00 hrs daily.

(Ban Hat Lek Thailand/Cambodia border check point)

(The border is not so busy early in the morning)

Strolled along the Ban Hat Lek Border Market which is situated at the end of Highway 3 next to the border crossing. This market is where the Cambodian vendors buy fruits and vegetables and bring in for re-selling in Koh Kong, Cambodia. Cheap electronic appliances, eyeglasses, bags, watches, shoes, and perfumes are also sold at this market.

(Ban Hat Lek Border Market)

(A few historical monuments near the border)

We made a few more photo stops at Marine Corp Memorial Baan Hat Lek and the Khlong Yai 522 Naval Ship. 

(The road has been upgraded and in good condition)

(A brief stop at a temple on top of a hill) 

(A naval ship monument next to the temple)

Detoured to the Golden Cliff Beach Resort for more photo shots. The resort is on the cliff and below is the nice beach with white sand. Unfortunately, the resort looks abandoned, but the Cliff Cafe is quite new.

(Golden Cliff Beach Resort)

(The new Cliff Cafe of the Golden Cliff Beach Resort)

(A beautiful view of the Ocean)

(Beautiful ambiance of the surroundings)

(Quiet and tranquil rocky beach)

Stopped for lunch at Husni Restaurant in Chanthaburi which is located near the Mujahirin Mosque. Performed our jamak prayers at Masjid Tamil Chantaburi again as the washrooms and ablution area are easily accessible.

(A dark heavy cloud looming ahead)

(The entrance to Trat town)

(A lunch break at Restoran Husni in Chanthaburi) 

(An alternative to the 786 Muslim restaurant) 

By 2.30 pm we drove out of Chanthaburi and headed towards Aranyaprathet in the heavy rain. Arrived Aranyaprathet around 5.30 pm. We drove a short distance to Bushran Halal food for an early dinner. There is another halal eatery located around the vicinity. Walked to a nearby 7-eleven for bread and fruit juice for breakfast tomorrow.

(Driving with care in the heavy rain towards Aranyaprathet)

(The rain is clearing up)

(Many border checks along the boundary line)

(The few halal eateries in Aranyaprathet)

Checked-in at Baan Sabuy Jung resort for Rm68/night. The 2-star hotel is located very near the border and a short driving distance to the halal eateries in town and the Rong Kluea Market, the open air shopping market of Aranyaprathet.

(A small cozy resort near the border)

(Our lodging for tonight)