Chanthaburi

Why Chanthaburi? A gem-trading riverside town with a French-Gothic cathedral, historic shophouses and some of Thailand's best tropical fruit.

Chanthaburi is one of eastern Thailand's most characterful towns: a riverside trading centre shaped by Chinese, Vietnamese and French influences, famous for its gem market, its grand cathedral and the fruit orchards that surround it. Few foreign tourists stop here, which makes it a rewarding, authentic break on the way between Bangkok, Koh Samet and Koh Chang.

It suits food lovers, culture seekers and road trippers. One or two nights is enough to explore the old waterfront, visit the weekend gem market and eat your way through the local specialities - longer if you come during fruit season.

What to do in Chanthaburi?

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• ShoppingChanthaburi Gem MarketWeekend street market where dealers sort sapphires and rubies at open tables.
• CultureCathedral of the Immaculate ConceptionThailand's largest Catholic cathedral, in striking French-Gothic style.
• CultureChanthaboon Waterfront CommunityOld wooden shophouses, small museums and cafés along the river.
• CultureKing Taksin Shrine & ParkHonouring the king who rallied his army here after the fall of Ayutthaya.
• CultureWat Khao SukimHilltop temple complex with a funicular and a vast museum of donated treasures.
• FoodFruit orchards in seasonDurian, mangosteen and rambutan buffets straight from the trees, May to June.
• FoodChanthaburi noodles (sen chan)The town's famous thin rice noodles, often stir-fried with crab.
• FoodMoo chamuang curryLocal pork curry soured with chamuang leaves, a true eastern speciality.
• NatureNamtok Phlio National ParkForest waterfall with a clear pool full of large, harmless carp.
• AdventureKhao KhitchakutMountain pilgrimage to a sacred footprint and balancing boulder, early in the year.
• BeachChao Lao & Laem Sadet beachesQuiet coastal beaches popular with Thai families at weekends.
• NatureKung Krabaen BayRoyal development study centre with mangrove boardwalks and birdlife.
• AuthenticLaem Sing river mouthFrench-era Red Building and Khuk Khi Kai tower in a sleepy fishing town.
• CoffeeWaterfront cafésRestored shophouses turned into cosy coffee spots by the river.

Getting there & around

There is no train or commercial airport, so most people arrive by road. Buses and minivans leave Bangkok's Ekkamai and Mo Chit terminals regularly and take about 4-5 hours; from Rayong or Trat it is roughly 1.5-2 hours. The old town and waterfront are compact and best explored on foot. For the cathedral, gem market and riverside, walking is ideal; for waterfalls, temples and beaches outside town, hire a car or scooter, or use local songthaews and taxis. Chanthaburi also makes an easy stopover when driving on to the Koh Chang ferry piers in Trat.

Waterfront & old town

The heart of the town is the Chanthaboon Waterfront Community, a kilometre-long lane of wooden shophouses along the Chanthaburi River, many with carved European-style details. Several now house small museums, cafés and guesthouses. Across the river stands the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the largest Catholic church in Thailand, built by the Vietnamese-Catholic community in French-Gothic style. Nearby, the King Taksin Shrine commemorates the king who gathered his forces here before driving out the Burmese in the 18th century.

Gems, fruit & food

On Friday to Sunday the streets around Trok Kachang and Si Chan Road become the Gem Market, where dealers inspect sapphires and rubies through loupes at rows of tables. It is fascinating to watch, but only buy from reputable shops if you are not an expert. Chanthaburi is also Thailand's fruit basket, and from roughly May to June orchards offer durian, mangosteen and rambutan buffets. Try the famous sen chan noodles, often stir-fried with crab, and moo chamuang, a tangy local pork curry.

Temples, waterfalls & coast

Outside town, Wat Khao Sukim sits on a hillside reached by a funicular and houses a huge collection of donated ceramics and antiques. Namtok Phlio National Park has an easy trail to a waterfall whose pool teems with large carp, while Khao Khitchakut draws Thai pilgrims to its summit footprint and balancing boulder, typically from about January to March. The coastal road passes quiet beaches such as Chao Lao, the fishing town of Laem Sing and mangrove boardwalks at Kung Krabaen Bay.

Where to stay & when to go

Stay near the river to walk everywhere: small guesthouses and boutique hotels in restored shophouses along the Chanthaboon Waterfront give the best atmosphere, while larger business hotels sit in the newer part of town. Come on a weekend if you want to see the gem market in full swing, as it is much quieter midweek. The cool, dry months from November to February are the most comfortable for sightseeing, but many visitors time their trip for the fruit harvest from about May to June, when the town holds its lively annual fruit festival. Heavy rain is common from July to October.

Where to stay in Chanthaburi?

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Recommended: 1–2 nights

1-2 nights to wander the waterfront, browse the gem market and taste the local fruit and noodles.

Nearby

Koh ChangEastern Thailand

Koh SametEastern Thailand

Koh KoodEastern Thailand

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