Si Racha

[Sheryl]

I have to attend a funeral in Sri Racha. Will drive there from Bangkok which should be straighfoward enough fro mthe looks of it, but returning I need to go back to Prachinburi.

Can anyone provide directions for the route? Once on Rte 304 I can manage OK.

Also -- any suggestions for a nice quiet hotel as I will probably need to stay the night? And is Koh Si Chang worth a visit in terms of beaches, since I'll be there anyhow?

Thanks

[sriracha john]

Sorry to hear of your reason for visiting.

Which temple are the rites being conducted at? Wat Wanghin?

To go to Prachanburi from here, I would suggest Route 3 to Chonburi, then Route 315 which goes all the way up to your route 304 (via Phan Thong) to Prachinburi.

For accomadations, there is the

top-end - "City Hotel" Tel : 038-322700 http://www.citysriracha.com/rooms.htm

medium range - "Sriracha Lodge" Tel: 038 311609 http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tp/a0192

low range - "Siriwattana Hotel" Tel: 038-311037

I'd say Koh Si Chang is worth a visit. The beach (Tham Pang Beach), although small, is pretty good for the Eastern Seaboard area. It's a short ferry boat ride (40 minutes and 40 baht) to the island from Sriracha.

Tiew Pai Park Resort (Tel: 038-216084) has a variety of room levels, decent restaurant, motorbikes for rent, and not far from the Koh Si Chang pier.

There's a guest house at the beach itself (it's on the opposite side of the island from the pier), but it's all off by itself and away from town... but then again, maybe you prefer that.

Tham Pang Beach Resort (Tel: 038-216179)

Here's a website for the island itself:

http://www.ko-sichang.com/index.html

Feel free to PM if you have any other questions... and once again, my sympathies to you.

[Mobi]

Not wishing to create too much confusion, as you have altready been advised on routing, but as I have travelled from Bangkok to Sri Racha on many occasions, and have also driven from Pattaya to Prachin Buri, I would advise as follows. I am assuming you want the quickest and best roads. From Bangkok take the Pattaya motorway, route 7 and turn off at the BangSaen junction and take route 3 through Bang Saen, and thence to Sri Racha. An alternative is the Bangkok Chon Buri elevated expressway via Bang Na (route 34), and then follow signs to Bang Saen, Sri Racha on Route 3. From Sri Racha, take route 3 to Bang Saen, the follow the signs just past Bang Saen to Motorway Route 7 to bangkok, and turn off the motorway (just past the service stations) onto route 314 to Chachongsao. Turn right just before Chachongsao onto route 319 (sign posted to Phanom Sarakham). This road will take you all the way to Prachin Buri, and both the 314 and 319 are pretty good roads, mainly 4 lane. (dual carriageway as we say in the old country). Hope this helps.

[Sheryl]

Thank you both for the advice & directions, sounds clear enough that I'll probably attempt it at night unless things run really late.

& John, thanks for the condolences. He was not yet 50, very sad. The worst part is that although he & his wife were extremely close friends I somehow didn't get around to seeing them for almost 15 years...always thought there's be time. Anyhow it's a wake up call to me to be better about keeping in touch with folks since we never know how much time there may be....

[sriracha john]

Thank you both for the advice & directions, sounds clear enough that I'll probably attempt it at night unless things run really late.

& John, thanks for the condolences. He was not yet 50, very sad. The worst part is that although he & his wife were extremely close friends I somehow didn't get around to seeing them for almost 15 years...always thought there's be time. Anyhow it's a wake up call to me to be better about keeping in touch with folks since we never know how much time there may be....

You are very welcome...

Geez.... it somehow seems so unfair when someone that young leaves.

If you are coming with people that know the area, they should be able to direct you to the temple. If not, is it Wat Wanghin? (one of the more popular temples)... and I can direct you there.