Chanthaburi

Things to see and do

Chanthaburi old town

Also known as the Chanthabun waterfront district, the old town is clustered around narrow Sukhapiban Rd beside the river and will be a highlight for visitors who appreciate culture, heritage, architecure and some great local foods. Many of the buildings are more than a century old, and while they ... read more
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Reflecting Chanthaburi's large Vietnamese Roman Catholic minority, this gothic-style cathedral is the largest church in Thailand and the city's most noticeable landmark. The cathedral looms over the river from the western bank just across from the old town. The first missionary chapel was built ... read more
Wat Kate Na Boonyaram

Difficult to miss in the middle of town between Benchamarachuthis and Sukhapiban Roads, this temple reflects the mixed heritage of Chanthaburi perhaps better than any other. Chinese-style gateways open to the 200-year-old temple, which boasts a large image of Garuda (Thailand's national emblem) ... read more
Gem Market

Chanthaburi is perhaps best known for its precious gems trade, and although small gem shops are scattered all over town, the area around Si Chan Road is the epicentre of all things sparkling. The gem shops here are busiest on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, but jewellers from around the ... read more
King Taksin Shrine & City Pillar Shrine

Just north of the old town on Thaluang Road, the King Taksin shrine is a small, nine-sided structure topped by a roof designed to look like the pointed and round brimmed hat that Taksin was known for wearing while riding into battle. Ever since the shrine was built in 1920, a steady stream of ... read more
Wat Bot Muang

A short walk towards the old town from King Taksin shrine takes you past Wat Bot Muang, which sits on a hill between Benchamarachuthis Road and Sukhapiban Road. Believed to be the oldest temple in Chan, this Ayutthaya-era wat features several charming old temple buildings and a small but striking ... read more
Chatuchak Market

A relatively new development next to the Robinson Shopping Centre east of the river in Chanthaburi, the so-called Chatuchak Market is worth an hour or two if needing to satisfy a shopping fix. The roofed market was set up in the spirit of Bangkok's famous weekend market, and while it doesn't come ... read more
King Taksin the Great Park

Occupying a huge swath of territory a couple of kilometres to the west of the old town, this park features a large green space surrounded on all sides by a wide moat that's only passable by a few footbridges. Outside the moat are more grassy areas and a walkway that's perfect for a morning jog. ... read more
Beaches and coastline

Those seeking idyllic turquoise water and whitesand beaches will be disappointed by Chanthaburi province's coast, but the beaches aren't too shabby by more down-to-earth standards, and the coastline boasts some scenic fishing villages and seaside roads. The most popular beach is Hat Chao Lao, ... read more
Khun Krabaen Mangrove Trail

Located towards the western end of Hat Chao Lao, this nature trail winds through thick mangrove forest and opens to some sweeping views of bordering brackish inlets. The extensive trail system is in the form of well kept raised boardwalks and suspension foot bridges that culminate at a five storey ... read more
Khun Krabaen Aquarium

A few hundred metres past the mangrove trail, this aquarium was far better than we were expecting. Hundreds of colourful tropical fish of all shapes and sizes can be seen in relatively large display tanks that line the aquarium's dark and wide halls. A small display of rare seashells is also worth ... read more
Namtok Phlio National Park

Namtok Phlio National Park, 14 kilometres from Chanthaburi, is named after one of Thailand's best known waterfalls, which cascades straight out the side of Khao Sabap mountain into a pool below where both people and fish frolic. The waterfall is most impressive during rainy season when the falls ... read more
Wat Mong Gorn Phupharam

Located right on Sukhumvit Road a few kilometres southeast of Chanthaburi en route to Namtok Phlio, this stunning Chinese Buddhist temple was built only 40 years ago. More than 30 individual shrine rooms burst with colour and feature gorgeous statues of Amithaba Buddha, Maitreya Buddha, Guanyin ... read more
Khao Kitchakut National Park

Khao Khitchakhut National Park, 30 kilometres north of Chanthaburi on Route 3249, is a pleasant place to visit for a few hours. The park covers an area of 59 square kilometres, but holds 53 species of birds -- probably because it lies adjacent to the Khao Soi Dao Wildlife ... read more
Wat Khao Sukim

Located between Chanthaburi and Khao Khichakhut, this imposing mountaintop temple makes for a decent detour on the way back from the national park. The temple was made famous by the revered forest meditation monk, Ajahn Somchai, who lived during the 20th century. Although it would have been a ... read more
Khai Nern Wong

Khai Nern Wong is a feeble old fort worth a quick stopover for a firsthand look at some of the only remaining evidence of the strategic military base that Chanthaburi once was. While some say it was here that General Taksin made camp here while re-assembling his army before retaking Ayutthaya, ... read more
Khao Ploi Waen

Khao Ploi Waen is a hill located about four kilometres past Khai Nern Wong offering a scenic view of the surrounding area. At the base of the hill lies a small active temple. Follow the path on the right until you come to the steep and rather uneven stairs leading to the summit. Here there is ... read more