From Chiang Mai to Chumphon

Back in 2014, I didn’t yet have a full-time job. Feeling particularly adventurous I decided to take advantage of my wide-open schedule and embark on a trip to the central province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, where my friend lived. This would be the first journey that I’d do on my own, and the first one with a film camera.

✪ Note: this is the first of a three-part essay. Two more will be published in the coming weeks.

Prachuap is about a thousand kilometres south of the city where I live (Chiang Mai). Despite the distance, I made my way via rail, the first leg of which took me to Bangkok.

The ride to the capital ended up being a sixteen-hour journey, starting from five in the morning until nine at night. Should have I driven I’d get there in about half the time, but the train was free. It wasn’t particularly slow but the stops it took at every station have lengthened the transit.

A slight change of plans.

As I was making my way to Bangkok I had the misfortune to find that the friend whom I was going to visit was on his way to Chiang Mai. Oops!

Thankfully, my lengthy ride gave me enough time to rectify the situation. A couple of my friends from college were serendipitously on their way to Chumphon province, which is just south of Prachuap Khiri Khan. And so after a small logistical adjustment, I continued my journey due south with the plans to meet with my university buddies.

The trip continued on the same trajectory as planned. Relaxed, I spent my time taking photos and enjoying a variety of snacks being sold at every stop along the way to Bangkok.