1. IN KING NARAI’S TRAIL SINGBURI – AYUTTHAYA By Tricky Vandenberg

2. THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECT King Narai (r. 1656-1688) used the Lopburi River for his boat travels between the Grand Palace in Ayutthaya and the palace in Lopburi. The latter was built during the years 1665 - 1677 and once served as the King's residence and administrative center during his regular annual stay.

3. THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECT The King boarded at the Wasukri landing in front of the Grand Palace in Ayutthaya, turned into Khlong Sra Bua, to join the Lopburi in the north. He disembarked at the old royal harbor at the back of the Lopburi palace and entered the Lady's Court through the western gate "Yatra Kasattri" after climbing a flight of stairs, called "the fifty-one steps". We will follow in King Narai's steps...

4. THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECT Sport event - Kayak the whole stretch from the mouth of the Lopburi River in Singburi till the confluence with the Pa Sak River in Ayutthaya. Cultural event - Experience the importance of waterways in the Ayutthayan era - the veins of life of the former Kingdom. Ecological event - Water = life. Make people aware that the river - a heaven for birds, animals and fish and a source of sweet water - should not be used as an open sewer and garbage collector. OBJECTIVES

5. DAY I

6. THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECT Recce Track Bang Phutsa - Pho Kao Ton (1/3) executed on 12 Feb 10. 30 Km – long route goes west of the City of Lopburi. Conclusion Mouth of the river is obstructed for about 100 m. Descend of the river possible from Wat Tuk Racha onwards. No water hyacinth blocking passages. River is fairly open. Sufficient water level.

7. THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECT Minor obstacles: Fishing nets on 2 places near Asian Highway Bridge. Floating bridge near Tha Wung Yellow Bridge Major obstacles Two dams Ton Pho Dam Pho Kao Ton Dam

8. Mouth of Lopburi River Asian Highway Ton Pho Dam Wat Tuk Racha Fishing nets Wat Phra Prang Muni DAY I – TRACK I

9.  Mouth of the Lopburi River (confluence with the Chao Phraya River) near Bang Phutsa.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

10.  View near Wat Tuk Racha.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

11.  View of Ton Pho Dam.  Kayaks to be taken out of the water prior arriving at the dam. Ropes needed to ascend and descend the sloops.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

12.  Muang Mu – Fishing net obstacle.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

13.  View under the Asian Highway Bridge – Fishing net obstacle.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

14.  View from Wat Phra Prang Muni Bridge.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

15.  View South of Wat Phra Prang Muni.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

16. R&R Point 1 Wat Pho Sri Wat Pak Nam Bridge Wat Phrom Buri Bridge Wat Rampharam Bridge DAY I – TRACK I/II

17.  View from Wat Pak Nam Bridge.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

18.  View from Wat Phrom Buri Bridge  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

19.  View from Wat Pho Sri Bridge.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10. Rest & Recuperation Point 1

20.  View from Wat Rampharam Bridge.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

21. Tha Wung Yellow Bridge Wat Ket Bridge Wat Pinyo Samoson Bridge Wat Tha Rat Bridge Wat Sua Bridge R& R Point 2 Wat Pak Khlong Bridge DAY I – TRACK II

22.  View from Wat Ket Bridge.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

23.  View from Wat Pinyo Samoson Bridge.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

24.  View from Tha Wung – Yellow Bridge.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

25.  View from Wat Tha Rat Bridge.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

26.  View from Wat Sua Bridge.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

27.  View from Wat Pak Khlong Bridge.  Location: Bang Khu.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10. Rest & Recuperation Point 2

28. Pho Talat Kaew Crossing Wat Sanam Chai Bridge DAY I – TRACK III

29.  View from Pho Talad Kaew Road crossing.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

30.  View from Wat Sanam Chai Bridge.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

31. Overnight Pho Kao Ton Dam Wat Pho Ngam Bridge Wat Phrom Mat Bridge Narai Palace Lopburi Wat Pho Rahat Bridge Wat Thong Thaeng Bridge Wat Klang Bridge Wat Amphowan Bridge Wat Thep Khankhon Bridge DAY I – TRACK III

32.  View from Wat Thong Thaeng Bridge.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

33.  View from Wat Pho Rahat Bridge.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

34.  View from Wat Klang Bridge  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

35.  View of Wat Amphowan Bridge.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

36.  View of Wat Thep Khankhon Bridge.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

37.  View from Wat Prom Mat Bridge.  Confluence with Chonlaprathan (canal) at Lopburi City.  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

38.  View of Wat Pho Ngam Bridge  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.

39.  View from Pho Kaw Ton Dam  Photo taken 12 Feb 10.  Night stop

40. DAY II

41. THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECT Recce Track Pho Kao Ton – Maha Rat (2/3) executed on 20 Feb 10. 30 Km – long route goes south of the City of Lopburi. Conclusions: No water hyacinth blocking passages. River is fairly open. Sufficient water level. No obstacles. Proposed Rest & Recuperation points: (later)

42. Wat Bua Wat Khok Pho Kun Chon Bridge Wat Luang Suwanaram Bridge Wat Thammikawat Bridge DAY II – TRACK IV

43.  View from Wat Bua.  Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

44.  View from Wat Thammikawat Bridge.  Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

45.  View from Wat Suwanaram Bridge.  Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

46.  View from Wat Khok Pho Kun Chon Bridge.  Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

47. Wat Krajiaw Bridge Wat Pho Loi Bridge Wat Ban Dab Bridge Wat Tako Bridge Wat Bot Bridge Wat Yan Sen Bridge Wat Thao Uthong Bridge Wat Luang Phor Kiauw Bridge DAY II – TRACK IV/V

48.  View from Wat Krajiaw Bridge.  Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

49.  View from Wat Pho Loi Bridge.  Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

50.  View of Wat Ban Dab Bridge.  Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

51.  View of Wat Tako Bridge.  Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

52.  View from Wat Bot Bridge.  Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

53.  View of Wat Yan Sen Bridge.  Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

54.  View from Wat Thao Uthong Bridge.  Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

55.  View from Wat Phor Kiauw Bridge.  Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

56. Wat Sam Phaniang Bridge Wat Krajom Bridge Bridge on Rd Crossing DAY II – TRACK VI

57.  View from Wat Sam Phaniang Bridge.  Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

58.  View from Wat Krajom Thong Bridge.  Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

59.  View from Bridge near road crossing of Rd 3267-347 and 3196.  Photo taken 20 Feb 10.

60. DAY III (Track III will be reconnoitered in the near future and this presentation will be updated accordingly.)

62. THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECT Preparation - 08 July 2010 1800 Hr – Start pick-up of participants & kayaks. 1930 Hr – Departure to Bang Phutsa. 2030 Hr – Deposit of kayaks at Wat Tuk Racha. 2100 Hr – Lodging at Hotel “Sweet Inn” at Bang Phutsa.

63. THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECT Day I – 09 July 2010 0445 Hr – Wake up & early morning snack. 0530 Hr – Departure Track I. 0800 Hr – Resting Point at Wat Pho Sri & breakfast. 0900 Hr – Departure Track II. 1130 Hr – Resting Point at Wat Po Talad Kaew & lunch. 1600 Hr – Departure Track III. 1830 Hr – Deposit of kayaks at Wat Khok Mo. 1900 Hr – Overnight stay at hotel in Lopburi & diner.

64. THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECT Day II – 10 July 2010 0445 Hr – Wake up & early morning snack. 0530 Hr – Departure Track IV. 0800 Hr – Resting Point at Wat Ban Dab & breakfast. 0900 Hr – Departure Track V. 1130 Hr – Resting Point at Wat Luang Phor Khiauw & lunch. Excursion to King Narai’s Palace. 1600 Hr – Departure Track VI. 1830 Hr – Deposit of kayaks at (later). 1900 Hr – Overnight stay at hotel in Bang Na & diner.

65. THE LOPBURI KAYAKING PROJECT Day III – 11 July 2010 0445 Hr – Wake up & early morning snack. 0530 Hr – Departure Track VII. 0800 Hr – Resting Point at (later) & breakfast. 0900 Hr – Departure Track VIII. 1130 Hr – Resting Point at (later) & lunch. 1500 Hr – Departure Final Track IX. 1730 Hr – Arrival at Wat Tong Pu (Final point) 1800 Hr – Transport of participants & kayaks home. 2000 Hr – Drink.

66. The Kayak Route can be viewed on Google map at URL: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=nl&ie=UTF8&oe=UT F8&msa=0&msid=106040646098684588940.00047ec0faf57e3 9f617e