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All you need to know to visit Chanthaburi

จันทบุรี
Eastern Thailand
245 km from Bangkok
Province of Chanthaburi

Budget
euro

Recomm. stay
1 à 3 jours

Visits
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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.


To see all optiosn to get around in Chanthaburi, read our dedicated paragraph about getting around in Chanthaburi.

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 recommandations

People often ask me what accommodations I recommend in Thailand, here are my recommandations in Chanthaburi.

Hotel in Chanthaburi

Chanthaburi town


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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.

arrow_circle_right See all options to go to 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 taking place every year in Chanthaburi. I mention their dates as soon as they are official on Thai Festivals page.
chanthaburi food festival

Chanthaburi Food Festival

This festival generally takes place in the month of February

arrow_circle_right Plus d'infos sur Chanthaburi Food Festival

noël à chanthaburi

Noël à Chanthaburi

This festival generally takes place in the month of December

arrow_circle_right Plus d'infos sur Noël à Chanthaburi

chanthaburi miracle christmas

Chanthaburi Miracle Christmas

This festival generally takes place in the month of December

arrow_circle_right Plus d'infos sur Chanthaburi Miracle Christmas

Must-visits in Chanthaburi

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

โรงแรมใกล้ มหาวิหารมารีปฏิสนธินิรมล
My opinion :
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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

ชุมชนริมน้ำจันทบูร
My opinion :
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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 ป้าไต๊
My opinion :
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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

ศูนย์ศึกษาธรรมชาติป่าชายเลนอ่าวคุ้งกระเบน
My opinion :
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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

วัดปากน้ำแขมหนู
My opinion :
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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 ริมคลองหนองบัว
My opinion :
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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 Chanthaburi
Wat Bot Muang
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perched on an hill it unfortunately does not offer interesting views but remains a charming temple although its architectural interest is quite limited.
Wat Phai Lom Chanthaburi
Wat Phai Lom
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, temple especially interesting for its large golden reclining Buddha, dating from the Ayutthaya period. This is probably, because of this statue, the most interesting temple to visit in Chanthaburi.
Gems market Chanthaburi
Gems market
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Even if it's for professionals only, so not for tourists, Chanthaburi is known throughout Thailand for its gemstone market, where dealers and gem hunters meet each weekend. Interesting to see...
Noen Nangphaya Viewpoint Chanthaburi
Noen Nangphaya Viewpoint
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This is not really a must visit but the view of the laces of the road on one side and the sea on the other side that you have from this point of view is one of the most representative and known images of Chanthaburi. It's lovely but maybe not the priority of priorities when you visit the province quickly.
Chedi Klang Nam Chanthaburi
Chedi Klang Nam
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This small chedi built in the middle of the sea is sometimes accessible by walking at low tide. It is not part of the must visit but coupled with the most famous viewpoint in Chanthaburi, it remains interesting to spend a few minutes there. The place is beautiful, especially in good weather.
Sea Farming Demonstration Unit Chanthaburi
Sea Farming Demonstration Unit
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This marine rescue and study unit has several deep sea bass nets with seashells, fishes (including baby sharks) and some sea turtles. Interesting to take a tour right after the Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Center visit. There is only 1 km between both places.
Bo Ploy Lek Petch Chanthaburi
Bo Ploy Lek Petch
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Chanthaburi has been known for centuries to be a land of gems even if it is a little less true nowadays. There is the dedicated market on weekends but you can also turn into gems searchers in Bo Ploy Lek Petch mine. A fun moment if you are not claustrophobic and do not be afraid to get dirty.
Muang Phaniat Chanthaburi
Muang Phaniat
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It is the oldest Khmer ruin discovered in Thailand for now. It was a whole city that had settled here. Nowadays remain essentially a pound and some sections of walls as well as objects found there and kept in a small museum. Not an essential visit in Chanthaburi but it can interest the history fans.
Namtok Phliu National Park Chanthaburi
Namtok Phliu National Park
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This national park near Chanthaburi does not lack of charm with its waterfall, its pools with turquoise waters in places and countless fishes. You will also see a small chedi covered with moss and can of course walk in the forest thre. A refreshing and pleasant nature pose in this province which possesses sea, mountains and rivers.
Khuk Khi Kai Chanthaburi
Khuk Khi Kai
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This surprising and also disgusting prison system, I must say, is a French invention that dates from the very short period of their occupation of the region. I do not tell you more, I let you click on the picture to read the detail. Those who understand Thai language have probably already understood what it is with the name of the place.
Wat Khao Sukim Chanthaburi
Wat Khao Sukim
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This temple perched about 30 kilometers from Chanthaburi city center is very visited by the Thai people for worship but does not present a major tourist interest, from my point of view. If you only stay in Chathaburi for a short time, there are other places that I think are more interesting to go first.

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.

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How to ask in Thai to go to Chanthaburi ?

I want to go to Chanthaburi / Yak paï ti Chanthaburi.
Where is Chanthaburi ? / Chanthaburi you ti naï ?
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