Chanthaburi province
Best known for its sparkling gems and national parks, Chanthaburi province borders Rayong to the west, Trat to the southeast and Cambodia to the east.
Chanthaburi province is predominantly rural, though unusually for Thailand much of the land is dedicated to flourishing fruit orchards rather than rice -- across Thailand, Chanthaburi is famous for fruit. The province also boasts a considerable number of pretty much totally undeveloped beaches which are worth exploring if you have your own transport.
The famed ruby and sapphire trade of the eponymous provincial capital has died off relative to years gone by, when Khmer Rouge cadres sold off Cambodian gems to finance their fighting, but it is still a thriving town when the market is open. Today Chanthaburi town has little in the way of photogenic sights but is a rather charming spot to while away a day or two.
Chanthaburi province is famous for its fruit, especially durian, the so-called king of Thai fruits -- many claim the best durian in the world comes from this area. The province also cultivates rambutan and jackfruit, and is known for its noodles and grassmats.
Give yourself a few days to explore Chanthaburi, particularly if you are interested in spending a few days in one of the two national parks, both of which have accommodation.
