A Weekend in Kamphaeng Phet and Tak Provinces with the Siam Society
Friday, 10 to Sunday, 12 February 2012
Leader: Khun Ekkarin Latthasaksiri, Study Trip Manager
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Kamphaeng Phet
The old town of Kamphaeng Phet is situated on the left bank of the Ping River some 80 km south-west of Sukhothai and 374 km north of Bangkok. Kamphaeng Phet city was established in the Sukhothai period as a regional capital and one of the three primary sites cities of the Sukhothai k
ingdom. The city later operated as a buffer city between Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, and also between Ayutthaya and Lan Na. There are many interesting and remarkable ruins inside and outside the city walls. Some were constructed for forest-dwelling monks in a Sinhalese tradition; many were heavily restored during the Ayutthaya period. Taken together with Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai, Kamphaeng Phet serves as the third most important historical and archeological site in central Thailand. The old city of Kamphaeng Phet is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tak Province
Tak is a provincial capital 426 km north of Bangkok on the east bank of the Ping River and rarely visited by Western tourists, through the city has interesting wooden architecture and some historical ruins. It is known as the home town of King Taksin, who restored the Siamese kingdom 1767-1782. For several centuries, the town has served as a major teak trade and conduit for logs which were harvested and then floated down the Ping River to Bangkok. In Ban Tak district many ruins date from the Sukhothai period.
Reservoir at Bhumibol Dam
The largest reservoir in Thailand was created in the early 1960s with the construction of Bhumibol Dam, 65 km north of Tak. The resulting Mae Ping Lake reaches from the dam north to Lamphun and Chiang Mai, submerging many villages, ancient temples, etc. The boat cruises on the lake are very enjoyable.
Over Friday, 10 to Sunday, 12 February 2012, the Siam Society will arrange an expedition for members to visit many ruins, temples, museums and other sites of interest in Kamphaeng Phet Historical Park and in Tak Province. Members will spend the first night at a hotel in Kamphaeng Phet and second night in guest houses belonging to the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand at Bhumibol Dam. The bus will leave the Siam Society on Friday, 10 February at 01:30 p.m. and we expect to return to the Society on Sunday, 12 February at 09:30 p.m.
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Booking
A contribution of Bt. 9,500 (Bt. 10,500 for non-member) is solicited to cover bus and boat transportation, 7 meals, all entrance fees, accommodation for one night at Chakungrao Riverview Hotel in Kamphaeng Phet and guest houses at the Dam (two persons per room) and other arrangements to make this trip possible. An additional sum of Bt. 1,150 is requested for a single room. Please pay by cash or cheque (payable to ‘The Siam Society’). Alternatively you can deposit/transfer the money to the Siam Society travel account at the Thai Military Bank, Asoke Branch saving account no. 053-2-18000-7. Please fax or e-mail the deposit or transfer docket to us. There is a 4% surcharge for credit/debit card payment to cover bank charges.
The Siam Society reserves the right to change the programme as necessary. Seats are limited. Please book your place as soon as possible.
For further information and bookings please contact Khun Prasert (ext. 504) or Khun Ekkarin (ext. 506) on 0 2661 6470-7, fax 0 2258 3491 or e-mail: ekkarin@siam-society.org. Office hours: 9:00am.–5:00pm. Tuesday–Saturday (except holidays).