Fifth Thai-Lao Frienship Bridge in Bueng Kan

Fifth Thai-Lao Frienship Bridge in Bueng Kan
Here some pictures of the construction site of the Fifth Thai-Lao Frienship Bridge from Bueng Kan to Pakxan.

The previous bridges are:
First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge (Nong Khai-Vientiane),
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Thai-Lao_Friendship_Bridge
สะพานมิตรภาพ ไทย-ลาว แห่งที่ ๑ ຂົວມິດຕະພາບ ລາວ-ໄທ ແຫ່ງທຳອິດ
This one has one track of 1000 mm gauge railway line in the middle. The bridge closes for car traffic when trains pass.
Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge (Mukdahan-Savannakhet),
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Thai-Lao_Friendship_Bridge
Third Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge (Nakhon Phanom-Thakhek),
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Thai-Lao_Friendship_Bridge
Fourth Thai - Lao Friendship Bridge (Chiang Kong-Houayxay).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Thai-Lao_Friendship_Bridge
Fifth Thai-Lao Frienship Bridge (Bueng Kan-Pakxan).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_Thai-Lao_Friendship_Bridge
There are more bridges over the Mekong in Lao, Cambodia, Vietnam.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_crossings_of_the_Mekong_River

Right side in picture (North side, Lao side) you can see the change of traffic direction in form of a stretched X in the road. From the bridge, you drive in on left side of the road and after the X you are on the right side.

Nearby is a series of rocks (dolphin stone หินปลาโลมา) that form a line and are visible during low water level. Judging by pictures posted, you can even take a boat to walk on them.

Nearby is a temple (Wat Pa Sut Khet Daen Siam, Bueng Kan Town: Temple of the Silver Buddha Image วัดป่าสุดเขตแดนสยาม) with a white ubosot.

Thanks to a Farang friend for drone pictures and another Farang friend to lend me his Nikon Coolpix B600 (60 x optical zoom).

Copyright 2025 ChristianPFC

Cycling around Siem Reap Nov2023

Cycling around Siem Reap Nov2023
Two days of cycling around Siem Reap in chronological order. Names as in google maps or coordinates: Airplane House, Wat Chedei Temple, Wat Krabi Riel Pagoda, Chork Pagoda, ArtBox, The Western Siem Reap Bus station, (no English name) វត្តខ្នាតរង្សី Buddhistischer Tempel, Spean Memay (Ancient Bridge), Prasat Ak Yum, Old Siem Reap Airport, abandoned hotel.

Airplane House
From social media I learnt about a building in shape of an airplane and managed to find exact location 13.35468, 103.80961.

I didn't come all the way to look at the airplane from outside the fence. The fence and gate work well to keep elephants, rhinoceroses and hippopotamuses off the premises; I didn't see a single elephant, rhinoceros or hippopotamus inside. But inefficient for humans.

It's complete and might have been in operation, no idea why it's abandoned now. See here as well: https://christianpfc.blogspot.com/2022/04/aircraft-as-decoration-in-cambodia.html

Wat Chedei Temple
Leaving from airplane house, I spot an inviting temple gate. That was not my original plan, but can't resist to check on google maps where it leads, interesting, go there.

Beside an operating contemporary Wat, there is an abandoned structure and old chedi (but not Khmer empire old).

Should I go up or should I not go up this ladder? I shun no effort or danger to entertain my readers, in this case I asked a local first if it's safe, no objections. View from roof:

Wat Krabi Riel Pagoda
Muddy, potholed road see previous post. The interesting part is the Buddhist Hell mural:

 
Chork Pagoda
On the way back another temple. I just can't pass a temple!

Art Box
Looks closed, only now checking on google maps do I see it's still operating.

The Western Siem Reap Bus Station
By chance come across abandoned The Western Siem Reap Bus Station. I didn't know they have such a big bus station! Many times bigger than the operational one east of town.

(no English name) វត្តខ្នាតរង្សី Buddhistischer Tempel
Unusual concrete moldings (looks like stone carvings) and grey color. Entrance gate in style of Tonle Om Gate (Southern Gate) of Bayon. 

Spean Memay (Ancient Bridge)
An Angkor-era laterite corbelled arch bridge. More on that subject here: https://christianpfc.blogspot.com/2023/01/angkorean-bridges.html Now standing dry in the countryside, apart from a puddle of water during rainy season.

Wat Tol Khpuos no pictures

Prasat Ak Yum

Wat Svay Romeat Pagoda no pictures

Old Siem Reap Airport
New Siem Reap Airport opened on 16nov2023. https://www.siemreap.net/guides/travel/siem-reap-angkor-international-airport/
Old airport no more air traffic but still some activity on ground.

Abandoned Hotel
Just like temples, I can't pass abandoned places. This former hotel ("REAC" at reception, there might be letters missing; big name plate on front wall blocked by vegetation) at 13.38115, 103.82855 everything wide open, just walk in and enjoy.
 

Copyright 2023 ChristianPFC

Patchwork bridges

Patchwork bridges in SEAsia

Here a list and pictures of patchwork bridges I have come across in Southeast Asia. If you know any more, let me know in comments.
1. Bridge on the River Khwai Kanchanaburi
2. Railway bridge in Langsuan (Chumphon)
3. Tha Chang Black Bridge สะพานดำท่าช้าง (Korat)
4. Old Bridge in Kampot
5. Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi

1. Bridge on the River Khwai Kanchanaburi

2. Railway bridge in Langsuan (Chumphon)
https://www.wongnai.com/attractions/590925tV-สะพานรถไฟประวัติศาสตร์หลังสวน (in Thai) says the bridge was repaired after bomb damage in WWII.

3. Tha Chang Black Bridge สะพานดำท่าช้าง (Korat)
Here is looks the river changed it's course. Aerial picture by a friend's drone. There is a petrified wood monument at the bridge.

4. Old Bridge in Kampot
This one is made up of three different styles. Pedestrian and motorbike crossing.

5. Long Bien Bridge in Hanoi
Railway track in center and pedestrian and mocy crossing on both sides.

Copyright 2023 ChristianPFC

Kampong Cham attractions

Kampong Cham attractions

The main reasons for me to travel to Kampong Cham was the bamboo bridge. It is constructed every year in dry season and washed away in rainy season. Not visible in current google satellite image (taken during rainy season), but a friend was there a week ago and saw the bridge.

Kampong Cham is 120 km by road or 75 km by air North-East of Phnom Penh and easily accessible by bus. For more information see here: http://www.asienreisender.de/kampongcham.html

1. Bamboo bridge
2. Kizuna bridge
3. Old French lighthouse
4. Nokor Bachey Pagoda
5. Phnom Bros Pagoda and Library
6. Phnom Srei
7. Mayflies

1. Bamboo bridge
Connects Kampong Cham from near Dei Koh Pagoda to Koh Pich, an island in the Mekong. There is a permanent (concrete, for cars) bridge as well. The length of bamboo bridge probably varies from year to year, I measured 590 m on google maps. About in the middle is an elevated part to allow boats to pass. Picture from elevation:

The Khmer script says: Khmer can do (translation by a friend).

View of entire bridge at dusk, lights on Koh Pich from bars:

2. Kizuna bridge
The first bridge in Cambodia to cross the Mekong (2001). Is on 500 Riel banknote. Kizuna bridge seen from Old French lighthouse:

3. Old French lighthouse
On the eastern side of Kizuna bridge. Inside are stairs to climb up.

4. Nokor Bachey Pagoda
About 2 km West out of town, West of highway 7. A contemporary temple on the grounds of Angkorian ruins.

5. Phnom Bros Pagoda and Library
About 6 km North-West out of town North of highway 7.

6. Phnom Srei
About 500 m East of Phnom Bros. On a hill 114 m high with a Naga stairway of and 217 steps (confirmed). View down the stairway, Phnom Bros Pagoda in background:

7. Mayflies
By chance, I came upon an invasion of mayflies attracted by lights at night. Different from flying termites Malaeng Mao that I have come across in Thailand.

Piling up in front of a light. The blue plastic is a cap of a plastic bottle that I put there to show that it's a heap of insects:

Elsewhere the following day:

Update places I missed: Hanchey Temple (too far away), various temples on the shore of Mekong that are being swallowed by the water (info from friend, but no exact location and too far), construction site of new Mekong crossing bridge 12.2687,105.5532.

Copyright 2021 ChristianPFC