Interesting Article Pathumthani

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Well, just yesterday, me and wifey went for a complimentary day-trip to Thailand’s one and only supposedly-super groovy Dream World. If you’ve never been or even heard of Dream World, well it’s Thailand’s most well-known funpark, located in Pathumthani near Future Park Rangsit. After a two hour journey from Suphanburi, we ended up arriving at the place at 9:30 in the morning and since it was a Sunday, the entrance was virtually flooded with folk waiting to get in. To greet yous at Dream World, there are guys on stilts, uni-cycles and attendants blowing up balloon-dogs for the kids.

I hadn’t been to Dream World for something like 6 years, but the place hasn’t really changed that much, same old amusement rides offering not so scary rides. What has changed though is the landscape. The gardens are really beautiful, laid out with the nicest array of flowers south of Chiang Mai. For lovers, there is the ‘Sweetheart’ garden with pinky shaped-heart things to have your photo taken under and romantic benches to cuddle yer darling on. If that doesn’t take your fancy, then there is even Dreamworld’s equivalent of Lopburi’s Sunflower fields, where you can have your pic taken surrounded by such flowers and lie to friends and family that you have just been up north.

An added attraction of late, courtesy of Thai Airways, is Dream World’s very own ‘Wonders of the World’ and the ones they have chosen to adopt for they mini town are different from the 7 Winners of late. There is a mini Eiffel Tower, Angkor Wat, Egyptian Pyramid and even a Statue of Liberty. I didn’t think the set-up was that amazing though, ok enough, but not exactly worth writing home about.

In the center of Dream World is a big lake, but for some weird reason known only to the management there, the cost of a ride in one of their paddle boats etc… is excluded from the ‘all-in-one’ tickets. So, what about the rides on offer? Well, by far the most popular are the Viking, Hurricane, Hanging Coaster, Space Coaster and Raptor. But be rest-assured, the waiting queues yesterday were really long, an average of 20+ minutes each. The queues were obviously made even longer as at least 3 other major rides were out of action due to repair. Besides the rides mentioned above, all the other stuff offered as part of the ‘all-in-one’ ticket price were for old-age pensioners or toddlers, nothing thrilling.



Dream World’s favourite and most famous attraction is beyond a doubt its ‘Snow Town’ (another half an hour wait, getting in and out). Snow Town is Thailand’s one and only attraction were the temperature inside is below zero. Unfortunately, there isn’t any snow falling from the roof, but there is plenty of shaved-ice on the ground to chuck in your friend’s face. We all know that Thais just love taking photos at every opportunity and for the background inside is a huge snowman, reindeer, polar bear, and a squad of stuffed penguins. There is also a Slider, where you can get yourself an inflated rubber ring and shoot down the slope. Again, the average ‘one-in-all’ ticket doesn’t allow you to get inside Snow Town without having to fork over another 130baht.

At the end of the day, I wasn’t really that impressed by the service offered at Dream World. Over the past six years, since my last visit, there were even fewer rides on offer due to repair, nothing new had been brought in and the place still lacks decent restaurants. In fact, in regards to food, there is only a KFC, Subway, a handful of stalls selling edibles on rice and rows and rows of stalls knocking off basic hotdogs etc… Nothing really to fill your stomach. Since my last outing, I did notice a lot more game stalls, where for 40-100 baht you could win a teddy bear in some kinda dart game. In fact, at Dreamworld, there is plenty to spend your money on besides the price of the ‘all-in-one’ tickets. I would say that the best thing about Dream World is the gardens.

Personally, I don’t think Dream World is cheap by Thai standards. The basic entrance fee is 120baht which includes nothing extra. An ‘all-in-one’ ticket costs 330 baht which includes most rides but ceratinly not the Go-karts, boats and Snow Town (130 Baht), the latter of which is a must-see if you go to Dreamworld. So really, the basic cost for a day out at Dream World is 460 Baht per person. And don’t forget that if you go on a weekend, then unless you stay from morning til late there is practically no way that you are going to be able to enjoy all the rides and attractions (because of queues).

So if you wanna go to Dream World by car, the place is located just off the Rangsit-Ongkharat Road (Kilometer 7), Pathumthani province. For those without your own transport, your best bet is to get a taxi from Future Park Rangsit (about 30km past Don Muang airport). On leaving Dream World, you will have to take quite a long walk back to the main road to flag down a cab. Otherwise, be patient and wait for a cab at the entrance which has just brought folk to the park.

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	[ City Pillar Shrine ] This is located in the compound of the City Hall. It was constructed in 1977 as a four gabled pavilion housing the city pillar and statues of the gods Narai and Vishnu. On one side is enshrined a Buddha image of the Sukhothai style in the attitude of Subduing Evil. [ Wat Sing ] This first Mon style temple of Pathum Thani is located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, 3 kms. from the township area. It houses Luang Pho To, an Ayutthaya style gold covered Buddha image in a rare mara posture and Luang Pho Phet, a reclining Buddha image . The monk's former quarters has been turned into a museum for Mon antiques along with a teak reproduction of a Lord Buddha footprint and a bedstead utilized by King Rama II during his visit to Sam Khok. The villagers living around the temple produce old style Mon bricks, famous products of Pathum Thani. [ Wat Hong Pathummawat ] This is located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in the town. It was constructed by the reign of King Taksin. The chedi and vihara are replicas of the ones at Hongsawadi City. The fish sanctuary in front of the temple attracts many tourists during holidays. [ Wat Chedi Thong ] This temple is located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in the vicinity of Amphoe Sam Khok, 8 kms. from Pathum Thani Town. There is a Mon style pagoda approximately 160 years old and a white jade Buddha image enshrined in the ubosot. [ Wat Chinwararam ] This temple, originally called Wat Makham Tai, is located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River slightly opposite the mouth of Khlong Rangsit Prayunsak in the vicinity of Amphoe Muang. The main interests are mural paintings depicting the story of "Phra Chao Sip Chat" or Lord Buddha's ten lives with poetic descriptions. [ Science Museum ] The Science Museum is part of the National Science Museum's project which aims to be recognized as one of Asia's leading science and technology museums. The six exhibition floors of the museum are each devoted to different aspects of science and technology including the traditional Thai technology. Visitors are encouraged to touch, to try things for themselves and to have fun with the exhibits in line with the 'Hands-on' concept. The museum is located at the Technopolis, Khlong 5, Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Road (approximately 10 minutes from Future Park Rangsit Shopping Center). Open Tuesday-Sunday, 9.30 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission fees are 20 baht for children and 50 baht for adults. (Tel.5774172-8) To get there, one can take air-conditioned bus no. 1155 from Rangsit Market or Future Park Shopping Center. [ Talad Thai ] This is Thailand's largest, international standard wholesale and retail market for food products and all agricultural produces including fruits. It is located on 200 acres of land in Tambon Rangsit, Amphoe Thanyaburi on Bangkok's outskirts and can be accessible by Phahonyothin Road. [ Wat Phut Udom ] This temple constructed in 1894 is located in Tambon Lam Sai, Amphoe Lam Luk Ka, 57 kms. on the Pathum Thani-Nong Chok route. This temple is known for the illustrative images of hell and heaven stages of beings and other mythical figures made according to the Buddhist belief. [ Wat Bua Khwan ] This temple in the vicinity of Amphoe Lat Lum Kaeo houses a Buddha image in the attitude of starving, which was cast in the reign of King Rama V. Another important attraction is the pavilion where King Rama VI presided over a ploughing ceremony, called "Sala Daeng" having a teak tile roofing which is regarded as exquisite. [ Wat Chedi Hoi ] This small monastery is located at Tambon Bo Ngoen, Amphoe Lat Lum Kaeo, 18 kms. from the town. A tremendous number of giant oyster shells, 8 million years of age, were unearthed and piled up into a form of a chedi. Each shell weighs at least 1 kilogram. [ Thung Rangsit ] This flooded grassland at Tambon Khlong Nung, Amphoe Khlong Luang attracts many migratory birds escaping from the cold climate zones, such as the Rubythroats. the Blue Throats, the Bush Warblers, Crakes and Rails. [ Wat Worani Thammakayaram ] This monastery, better known as the Meditation Practice Center, is located in Tambon Khlong Sam, Amphoe Khlong Luang, 5 kms. from Phahonyothin Road. The temple occupies a pleasant and extensive area with a jungle atmosphere suitable for practicing meditation. [ Wat Phailom ] This temple is located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River in Amphoe Sam Khok. The Asian Openbills migrate from India to lay their eggs here from November to may. Other kinds of migratory birds include the Black-capped Kingfishers, the Spot-billed Pelicans and the black-headed Ibis. [ Dream World ] Situated on Km.7 on Rangsit-Ongkharak Road, a 10 minute drive from Don Muang Airport. This is an extensive fun land consisting playing machines. It is open daily from 10.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. On holidays it is open until 7.00 p.m. Call 533-1152, 533- 1447, 533-1449 for further information. [ Muai Thai Institute ] This institute has been established by the World Muay Thai Council in order to promote this folk arts of self defense at national and international levels. It offers three types of Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) courses for both Thais as well as foreigners. Besides the fundamental programs which provide skills, experience, and knowledge of the Muay Thai culture, one can apply for special programs to become Muay Thai instructors or referees. Contact the Muay Thai Institute at 336/932 Prachathipat, Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani 12130, Tel: 992-0096-9.