A day before arriving Bangkok, I persuaded my friend to try our luck backpacking to see sunflower. From my reading I know that we can find sunflowers at Saraburi or Lopburi province but I am not too sure the exact location. Initially we wanted to rent car but it was fully booked due to peak holiday season. My trip to Bangkok was an unplanned last minute one. 2nd option is to hire private car with driver but the cost is too high, around 3500 baht for a day for trip to Saraburi. 3rd option is by train, but then again we haven't had time to go to Hua Lumphong Train Station to check out the ticket. I know that when reaching there, we have to hail taxi to bring us to see sunflower. 4th option is to travel by bus/minivan from Mo Chit Bus Station. We chose option 4.
On Sunday morning 25th December 2016, we departed early at 6:30 am from The Plim Place to Mo Chit Bus Station. Taxi cost is 70 baht. There we asked around bus operator for ticket to Saraburi as we wanted to see sunflower. It was quite challenging to speak with non-English speaker. As last resort, I showed them picture of sunflower. Then they nodded and told us to go to Lopburi instead.
We walked down the stairs to ground level and continue looking for minivan ticket counter. The first counter that we saw does provide minivan services and the fare to Sara Buri costs 90 baht while Lop Buri is 110 baht. Then we tell again our story to the lady at counter about wanting to see sunflower at Lopburi. She typed in her calculator, it cost 130 baht. That's higher than quoted in above signboard. Then in our ticket, she wrote Pattana. Then another lady came and escorted us to the place where we have to board the minivan. She waited with us for around 30 minutes until the designated minivan came.
We walked down the stairs to ground level and continue looking for minivan ticket counter. The first counter that we saw does provide minivan services and the fare to Sara Buri costs 90 baht while Lop Buri is 110 baht. Then we tell again our story to the lady at counter about wanting to see sunflower at Lopburi. She typed in her calculator, it cost 130 baht. That's higher than quoted in above signboard. Then in our ticket, she wrote Pattana. Then another lady came and escorted us to the place where we have to board the minivan. She waited with us for around 30 minutes until the designated minivan came.
Since I don't really know where we are headed to, I turned on my GPS along the way just to check out the route chosen by the van. I quickly googled nearby sunflower farm at Lopburi and found a guide for Khao Jeen Lae. I thought the minivan will take same route as Lop Buri railway station. However it took a different direction to Patthana Nikhom. Then panic attack started. The passenger next to drivers asked us where do we want to stop (in Thai). Then another passenger took out Google translate which read, "May I help you?". I took out my phone and tell them we want to go to sunflower field, namely Khao Jeen Lae . She said this minivan route doesn't go to Khao Jeen Lae.
Along the way we passes by few small sunflower field and I told them we wanted to go to big one. Coincidentally there's a sunflower farm signboard and we passed by a big field. So we decided to stop there.
Along the way we passes by few small sunflower field and I told them we wanted to go to big one. Coincidentally there's a sunflower farm signboard and we passed by a big field. So we decided to stop there.
Before unboarding the minivan, I took out my Google translate and ask her, "What is the name of this place?". She told me the name but I forgot. Then I typed in Google Translate, "How do we go back to Bangkok?". Then the driver took out the business card and ask us to call the number when we want to go back. Then the driver went to talk to the sunflower stall merchant to help us call them when we want to go back. All communication in Thai. The van departed and we started grinning in awe seeing the beautiful sunflowers.
It took around 2 hours to reach there and distance is 135 km from Mo Chit Bus Station. It is worth the travel. GPS Coordinate: 14.836517, 100.910146
It took around 2 hours to reach there and distance is 135 km from Mo Chit Bus Station. It is worth the travel. GPS Coordinate: 14.836517, 100.910146
Entry to the farm is 10 baht.
We know that it will be hard to find halal food so we packed our lunch. We had a picnic inside the sun flower field eating sandwiches. Then we bought roasted sunflower seed, honey and unpeeled sunflower seed. Then we went to Arissa Cafe (ร้านกาแฟสด) nearby to quench our thirst. The drink is so cheap: 45 baht for ice blended mocha. 40 baht for Cha nom yen, Thai ice milk tea.
Around 12 pm we asked for help from the stall merchant to call the minivan driver. The next minivan to Bangkok arrives at 1.45 pm. So we decided to perform jama' prayer for Zuhr and Asr while waiting for the van. Then we continue sitting at the cafe until around 1.20 pm and we walked back to the stall. The stall owner even arranged 3 chairs for us to sit while waiting for the van to come.
After few minutes delay and few calls we managed to board the minivan across the road. Along the way, the van driver made few calls to his passengers and there was a passenger boarding from another sunflower field. Minivan fare to go back to Bangkok is 120 Baht each. On way back, the minivan stopped at Mochit BTS station and we walked to Chatuchak Market which is just nearby.
We had our dinner at Saman Islam (Section 16 Soi 7). I had Kai Pad Kra Pao (basil chicken with rice). Price is 150 baht, which I considered quite expensive. Cha yen 50 baht. A plate of seafood Pad Thai costs 200 baht and a bowl of Tom Yum is 300 baht. Around 6 pm lots of shops started closing business and it is time for Maghrib prayers. We went to a prayer room which is next to a halal stall. Problem is for women, the ablution place is at open spaces. So I decided to look for a more secluded place nearby the closed shops and take my ablution there using water bottle.
We had our dinner at Saman Islam (Section 16 Soi 7). I had Kai Pad Kra Pao (basil chicken with rice). Price is 150 baht, which I considered quite expensive. Cha yen 50 baht. A plate of seafood Pad Thai costs 200 baht and a bowl of Tom Yum is 300 baht. Around 6 pm lots of shops started closing business and it is time for Maghrib prayers. We went to a prayer room which is next to a halal stall. Problem is for women, the ablution place is at open spaces. So I decided to look for a more secluded place nearby the closed shops and take my ablution there using water bottle.
Heading back to the Plim Place, we hailed a taxi but the driver refused to take passengers to our place. Then we boarded MRT from Kamphaeng Phet Station to Phahon Yothin station, then walked back for 1.7 km. My total step that day is 17,245 steps.
Lesson Learned
- Alhamdulillah, I would consider that our journey are smooth. Allah had found us friendly locals that endlessly cared for us and helping us that day.
- Do pray Safar prayer before departing from home when you are travelling. In sha Allah, you'll find your journey easy.
- Upon arrival at sunflower field, call up the minivan driver right away to check out return time to Bangkok then only adjust your schedule for farm sightseeing, lunch etc.
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