I have never seen multi-coloured dried shrimp before

On Sunday, I caught the Maeklong Commuter Train down to Mahachai which is otherwise known as Samut Sakhon. It is only an hour away from Bangkok by train. But, unlike my home province of Samut Prakan, they didn’t seem to be so used to seeing foreigners. In fact, the whole day I didn’t see another “farang”. I have passed through Samut Sakhon a few times on my way to the beach resorts of Cha-am and Hua Hin but I have never stopped. From the main highway I could see many big fishing boats as we drove over the Tha Chin river. I had always meant to stop to take a closer look but I never did. So, I was really pleased to have a two hour stopover here on Sunday while I was waiting for the next train.

There are two kinds of trips that I love doing but don’t often get a chance. These are boat trips and train trips. Well, this weekend I had a chance to do just that and I must tell you that I had a great time. For quite a few years I have heard stories about the mysterious Maeklong Railway that runs from Bangkok to Samut Songkhram, south-west of the capital. The railway is not part of the national network and you won’t find any of the train times listed on the timetable at the State Railway’s website. Not only that, but there is only one narrow track which is broken about half way by a river. Here you have to disembark and cross to the other side by boat. Then, at the far end you will find that the train tracks double as a market! It all seemed to good to be true and I had to take this journey before it became a thing of the past.