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All you need to know to visit Chanthaburi
Eastern Thailand
245 km from Bangkok
Province of Chanthaburi
- Budget
- 1/5
- Recommended stay
- 1 to 3 days
- Sightseeing
- 4/5
Travel guide to visit Chanthaburi
Chanthaburi is known throughout Thailand for its cathedral, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Catholic building in the country, and worldwide for its gem market, which is held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning. The city, located 245 kilometers from Bangkok, isn't very popular with foreign tourists, yet its riverfront, historic district with its houses in various colonial styles, and the bridge leading to the cathedral, beautifully lit in the evening, make it a place whose charm can quickly win you over for a stay of a few days. Although it must be said that since COVID, the city has lost its lively atmosphere of weekend evenings, when the street along the Chanthaburi River became a pleasant Walking Street.
Outside the city, you'll find some interesting temples like Wat Khao Sukim, lush nature and waterfalls, or beautiful, little-known beaches that are rather deserted during the week. The most famous beach is probably Hat Chao Lao. Surfing is even possible there during the rainy season (May to October). There is also a pretty blue temple, an interesting century-old dessert market, and some mangroves.
Historically speaking, despite those who have been a little too indoctrinated by the claim that Thailand was never colonized, the Chanthaburi region was occupied by France for 12 years. The French occupation of Chanthaburi took place between 1893 and 1905, following the Franco-Siamese conflict. After the signing of the peace treaty, France retained this Thai province as a guarantee of the fulfillment of the treaty's terms. During these twelve years, Chanthaburi saw a French administrative and military presence, although its influence over the local population was limited. The town was eventually returned to Siam in exchange for additional territorial concessions to Cambodia.
For all the options for getting around Chanthaburi, see our section on getting around in Chanthaburi.
Accommodations in Chanthaburi
Accommodation are not very numerous in Chanthaburi and quite scattered. There are some great hotels to accommodate all gem traders coming on weekends. For the rest near the river front, Chantahburi's nicest quarter, besides the friendly River Guesthouse and its very good prices and the Muangchan Hotel, the possibilities are quite limited. The prices for rooms in Chanthaburi are among the most interesting in the country.Find accommodation in Chanthaburi
My recommendations
People often ask me which accommodation I recommend in Thailand. Here are my recommendations in Chanthaburi.
Bansabai - Raiwan Resort
Hotel in Chanthaburi
Practical information about Chanthaburi
A night market where you can mostly buy cheap food is held on weekends near Somdej Pra Chao Tak Sin Maharat Public Park from 5 p.m. It doesn't match the atmosphere of the Walking Street that once held on Sukhaphiban Road.
How to go to Chanthaburi ?
From Bangkok Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai), it takes 4 hours to reach Chanthaburi by bus. The city has no airport or train station. Buses or minivans are the only options to get there if you do not have a car. Trat, it takes a little more than one hour to go to Chanthaburi. Bus Trat - Bangkok stops at Chanthaburi.How to get around in Chanthaburi ?
The city of Chanthaburi is fairly easy to explore on foot, as the interesting sites are fairly close together around the cathedral. However, to visit places outside the city, you'll need a vehicle. Last I heard, GRAB or other car-hailing apps didn't yet serve Chanthaburi. So, it's best to check with your hotel or guesthouse, or go to the bus terminal and negotiate a privatized songhtaew (a pickup truck with benches in the back).
Festivals in Chanthaburi ?
Here is a list of the main festivals held every year in Chanthaburi. Their dates are published as soon as they are official on the Festivals in Thailand page.
Chanthaburi Food Festival
This festival usually takes place in February
Chanthaburi Miracle Christmas
This festival usually takes place in December
Must-visits in
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
โรงแรมใกล้ มหาวิหารมารีปฏิสนธินิรมลMy opinion : 5/5
The largest Catholic church in Thailand and probably the most beautiful. Built in the early 20th century in Gothic style, it has become the symbol of the city of Chanthaburi.
Chanthaboon Waterfront
ชุมชนริมน้ำจันทบูรMy opinion : 5/5
and the old town of Chanthaboon, the former name of Chanthaburi. With its wooden houses, the street that runs along the river at the bottom of Wat Bot and goes to the bridge leading to the Cathedral is certainly the most beautiful area of the city.
Khanom Kai Pa Tai shop
ขนมไข่ ป้าไต๊My opinion : 5/5
Cookies similar to madeleines a little more airy of this small shop are famous throughout the region. This is really an address for gourmands who will be delighted to eat them just out of the oven.
Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Center
ศูนย์ศึกษาธรรมชาติป่าชายเลนอ่าวคุ้งกระเบนMy opinion : 5/5
This center located 30 km from Chanthaburi is composed of a large mangrove forest very pleasant to walk and discover by kayak (even if there are only a few canals with enough water). It borders the bay which also allows you to paddle in the open sea. It is really a beautiful place created by a royal project aiming to study and preserve the mangroves and their ecosystem.
Wat Pak Nam Khaem Nu Blue Temple
วัดปากน้ำแขมหนูMy opinion : 5/5
This temple, made entirely of intense blue and white ceramics, has become, in just a few years, the most famous and popular in Chanthaburi, eclipsing much older temples. It must be said that it's unique and very photogenic. And it makes for some pretty images for social media!
Nong Bua Thai Dessert Market
ชุมชนขนมแปลก ริมคลองหนองบัวMy opinion : 5/5
This ancestral dessert market, held once a week, is well worth the trip to discover flavors and unique know-how passed down through generations. It's also very popular with Thais, some of whom come specially from Bangkok.Other places to see in Chanthaburi
Wat Bot Muang
Wat Phai Lom
Gems market
Noen Nangphaya Viewpoint
Chedi Klang Nam
Sea Farming Demonstration Unit
Bo Ploy Lek Petch
Muang Phaniat
Namtok Phliu National Park
Khuk Khi Kai
Wat Khao Sukim
Weather & climate in
Chanthaburi has a tropical monsoon climate with little variation in temperature throughout the year. Precipitation, on the other hand, varies considerably from season to season. Initially infrequent during the short dry season (December to January), they become rapidly torrential during the monsoon (from May to the end of October). February, March and November are months of transition during which, depending on the year, it can rain more or less.The best time to come to Chanthaburi is from December to March, with the driest months being December, January and February. From May to the end of October, it is better to choose another destination. Precipitations flirt with the 500 mm from June to September.
How to ask the way in Thai to Chanthaburi ?
I want to go to Chanthaburi / Yak pai thi Chanthaburi.Where is Chanthaburi? / Chanthaburi yu thi nai?
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