Bangkok Photographers Group Walk - Mahachai preparations
Last July I was contacted by the group to set up a new walking tour and I suggested doing something different.
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Instead of exploring Bangkok's back alleys and markets as usual (*), why not go beyond that and hop on the train to the old port of Mahachai? (**)
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Early August I met Greg and Ben (2 of the 3 organizers of the group) at Wongwian Yai BTS station and walked to the old, similarly named, railway station.
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After a 50+ min 3rd class, open windows train ride we arrived at Mahachai's railway station and market! This is actually the first so-called 'train market' but without the folding umbrellas of the more famous Mae Klong market! (***) Even so, here too were plenty of veggies and assorted food products sold along the tracks.
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It was relatively quiet, with virtually no tourists, and therefore perfect for shooting pics.
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This was the first of the many nicely decorated drain covers we encountered.
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We took a ferry to Tha Chalom, just a short boat ride away.
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These ferries go very regularly and are pretty reliable, except for the fact that they're built more for hobbits than the average tall Dutchman...
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Greg 'discovered' a small ship graveyard which turned out to be a welcome addition to the tour.
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To my surprise, there was now an old train wreck on display at the station there.
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From Ban Laem Station people can take another train to Mea Klong.
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We took a ferry back to the main market and walked around a bit more.
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Not sure if she uses those chicken feet as mobile phone holders, but it was a funny sight!
Afterwards we took a train back to Wongwian Yai, and all of us agreed that this would be a cool walk for the group.
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A few days later the official announcement was posted on social media and on August 27th we had about 50 photographers joining!
The results of that day can be seen here:
(*) Nothing wrong with that, on the contrary!
(**) Mahachai or Samut Sakhon
(***) Mae Klong or Samut Songkram