Chanthaburi
Chanthaburi General Information
Famous for its abundance of tropical fruits and as a centre of gems, the eastern province of Chanthaburi is also blessed with rich, verdant forests with scenic waterfalls. The Chanthaburi River flows through the town which has been the home of ancient communities. Quiet fishing villages and peaceful beaches are not far from town.
Chanthaburi was occupied by the French during the early part of the 20th century. Their influence can be seen in the architecture of many buildings including the largest Catholic cathedral in Thailand, catering to a sizeable Christian population.
About 245 kilometres from Bangkok and covering an area of 6,338 square kilometers, Chanthaburi as administratively divided into the following districts:- Mueang Chanthaburi, Tha Mai, Khlung, Laem Sing, Pong Nam Ron, Makham, Soi Dao, Na Yai Am, Kang Hang Maeo and Khao Khitchakut sub-district.
Chanthaburi Festival Information
- Fruit Festival
Annually held in May, the fair aims to promote local products and various kinds of fruit grown in the province. The fair features exhibitions on agricultural innovations as well as agricultural products. Stalls selling local crafts, jewellery, food products and seafood make the fair fun to visit. Besides, visitors get to see how famous local products such as preserved durian are made; or they can have a good time watching a fruit contest and a beauty contest. Central to the fair is a procession of cars lavishly laden with the famous fruit of Chanthaburi heading along the road to the venue.
Chanthaburi Attactions Information
- Tham Khao Wong
Tham Khao Wong at Ban Khao Wongkot, Kaeng Hang Maeo district, is part of the Khao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park. About 40 kilometres before reaching Chanthaburi town on Highway No.3 at Km. 286 (Ban Kong Din) is a left turn to the park, 11 kilometres further on. Or take a turn at Km. 288 (Talat Na Yai Arm) instead. From the cave proceed on foot to see the caves themselves. Advice could be obtained from park officials.
Khao Wong is a group of limestone hills standing in circular cluster with cliffs and caves containing stalagmites and stalactites. There are passages connecting some of the chambers. The walking trails outside offer views of varied plantlife. For those intending to explore the caves, torches are advisable as there are no natural lights inside. The best time to go cave-exploring is between February and April, after which they tend to be flooded.
- Krathing Waterfall
The park covers a rich, verdant forestland of some 58 square kilometres where many herbal plants are found. It is also rich in wildlife. An attraction is the Krathing waterfall with its nature trails cutting through all 13 levels of the fall. There are clear ponds where swimming is possible. Camping is allowed in the park. There are also accommodations for visitors who should make advance booking at the Forestry Department in Bangkok.
- The Khao Khitchakut National Park
The Khao Khitchakut National Park has its headquarters at a site which can be reached by taking a turning at Km. 324 (Khao Rai Ya intersection) on Highway No. 3 and proceed on for a further 21 kilometres.
The park covers a rich, verdant forestland of some 58 square kilometres where many herbal plants are found. It is also rich in wildlife. An attraction is the Krathing waterfall with its nature trails cutting through all 13 levels of the fall. There are clear ponds where swimming is possible. Camping is allowed in the park. There are also accommodations for visitors who should make advance booking at the Forestry Department in Bangkok.
- Hat Laem Sing
Located in the Udon Thani Municipality, this giant pond has existed before the establishment of Udon Thani town. Lying to the west of the town, it was formerly called Nong Na Klue (pond of salty water) and later changed to Nong Prachak in honor of Major General HRH Prince Prachaksinlapakhom, the founder of Udon Thani town. In 1987, the Udon Thani Municipality improved the pond as a royal tribute to King Rama IX on the auspicious occasion of his 50th birthday anniversary. On an island in the pond, a small garden is filled with decorative and flowering plants, and there is a bridge linking the island with the mainland. Within the park, there is a fountain, a clock tower, and a playground. It serves as a place of recreation and exercise for the public.Laem Sing is about 30 kilometres from town and can be reached via Sukhumvit Road on the way to Trat with a right turn at Km. 347, a further distance of 16 kilometres to the beach. The beach itself is shaded with pine trees lining the entire shore and cooled by constant gentle breezes. There are food shops and boats for rent to visit two nearby isles, Ko Chula and Ko Nom Sao. The trip takes 30 minutes and one hour respectively.
- Khuk Khi Kai
The notorious Khuk Khi Kai, just before Laem Sing beach, was built to hold Thais who were against the French occupation of Chanthaburi in 1893. A 7-metre high, square-shaped prison, it was built in bricks with each side measuring 4.40 metres. The walls were holed for ventilation. The porous roof is said to have been used as chicken coop through which the birds dropped their excrements.
- Wat Ban Tat
This temple is located off of the center of the province. Take Highway No. 2 (Udon Thani-Khon Kaen) and make a right turn at Ban Kong Keng and proceed for 9 kilometers. The temple is teeming with trees and small, wild animals. It is here that one of Thailand's most revered monks, Luangta Maha Bua, resides. As the place is set in a tranquil ambience conducive for practicing meditation, a numbers of Thais practice insight meditation (Vipassana) at this temple.
- Namtok Phliu National Park
A left turn at Km. 346 on Highway No. 3 is the Namtok Phliu National Park, covering an area of 134.5 square kilometres along forestland at Khao Sa Bap mountain range. The 3-level Phliu waterfall features a basin of cool, clear water for splashing around and plenty of fish make the flowing streams their home. Nearby are a small Chedi and a pyramid built by King Rama V as a loving memorial to Phra Nang Chao Sunanthakumarirat, his first consort, who died in a boat accident
There are two other waterfalls in the park. The Khlong Narai waterfal, about 6 kilometres from town via Highway No. 3 at a right turn at Km. 338-339 and two kilometres further away on foot. The Trok Nong waterfal is off Highway No. 3277 (Khlung-Makham route) with a left turn at Trok Nong market and a further 2 kilometres on foot.
- Oasis Sea World
Just before Laem Sing beach is the Oasis Sea World, which attracts visitors who delight in watching the exciting dolphin shows. Also on hand are butterfly farm and other animals. The dolphins are mainly those accidentally caught in fishermans nets in the Gulf of Thailand. Trained by Thai experts, they are now capable of showing off their high degree of ability. There are five shows daily.
- Khai Noen Wong
The ancient site of Khai Noen Wong, also at Tambon Bang Kacha, was established as the town in circa 1834 during the reign of King Rama III. The town was moved from Ban Lum to this location because of its high grounds which were more suitable for defensive purposes against the invading Vietnamese. The laterite walls and bricks from the old town were also dismantled and moved to the new site. A serve drought during the reign of King Rama V forced its return to the original site at Ban Lum.
The old town at Khai Noen Wong was square-shaped with extensive laterite walls mounted with large cannons. Each side had its own ramparts and defensive moats. It was regarded as a powerful military camp of the time. The towns principal temple was Wat Yothanimit
- The Chamsom Crocodile Farm and Zoo
This zoo has a number of crocodiles of different species as well as other animals. The facility is surrounded by fruit orchards. To reach it, go on Sukhumvit Highway until Km. 324 (Khao Rai Ya intersection) then turn left and proceed on for a further 4 kilometres.
- Underwater Archaeological Office
Soon to be established as a national maritime museum, the Underwater Archaeological Office is located within Khai Noen Wong specialising in exhibits on Thailands merchant marine and items discovered from underwater archaeological explorations from all over the country. There are also exhibits of ancient sailing routes and products. An exhibition chamber deals with the history and culture of the people of Chanthaburi.
- Namtok Khao Soi Dao
At Km. 62 on Highway No. 317, about 70 kilometres from Chanthaburi, is a left turn to Namtok Khao Soi Dao. The trail to the 15-level waterfall is amid unspoiled forests with a large variety of butterfly and bird. As it is a waterfall within a wildlife sanctuary, visitors are permitted only daytime only.
- Hat Ao Yang
Hat Ao Yang is a small beach some 2 kilometres before the park. Cool and shady, it offers accommodation facilities for visitors.
Hat Khung Wiman, Hat Khung Kraben, Hat Laem Sadet and Hat Chao Lao
These are all peaceful beaches in Tha Mai district and clustered in an area about 30 kilometres from town. At Km. 310 of Highway No. 3 is a right turn into Highway No. 3399 which leads to the area. Or one can proceed from Tha Mai district on the route passing through Wang Tanot dam. There are accommodation facilities for tourists, particularly at Hat Chao Lao where there are several hotels and bungalows to choose from. About one kilometre off shore from Hat Chao Lao are ranges of shallow water coral reefs covering an area of 14 square kilometres. Glass-bottomed boats are available. Over at Ao Khung Kraben are nature trails to study mangrove areas.
- Khao Laem Sing Forest Park
Using the Tha Mai-Bang Kachai route cars can easily access the Khao Laem Sing Forest Park, some 25 kilometres from Tha Mai. The route passes through Wat Khao Laem Sing right up to the park headquarters on a hill. Alternatively, visitors can charter a boat from Laem Sing beach to Ao Krathing Beach, just 400 metres away, and walk up to the park. Camping is allowed on application.
Khao Laem Sing is a small hill 172 metres above the sea. Located to the east of the mouth of the Chanthaburi River, it has a cape jutting into the sea which looks like a sprawling lion. There is an old fortification called Pom Phairi Phinat built during the reign of King Rama III.
- Wat Phlup
Wat Phlup at Tambon Bang Kacha to the southwest of town was the site of an old community during the late Ayutthaya period. Special features are two ancient pagodas of different styles and an old Thai wooden pavilion.
**Information Reference : tourismthailand.org
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