Trip Planning

As a province somewhat off the typical tourist route, Chanthaburi is best reached via private car or public bus. Once there, it may be easier to get around with your own car, but there are standard forms of local transport available for visitors: i.e. songtaews, motorbike taxis, and tuk tuks.
By Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 34 (Bang Na-Trat) or the Motorway to Chonburi, then use Highway No. 344 (Ban Bung-Klaeng) and proceed to Chanthaburi along Highway No. 3.
By Bus
Both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned busses depart from Bangkok’s Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) to Chanthaburi every hour from 4 a.m.-midnight. For more information, contact the Transport Co. Ltd at Tel: 0 2391 2504; Choet Chai Tour Tel: 0 2391 4146; or Phonnipha Tour Tel: 0 2391 5179.
Getting Around Chanthaburi
As in most rural Thai provinces there are typically songtaews that follow established routes around the provincial capital and between towns within the province. Songtaews, motorbike taxis, and some form of tuk tuk are usually available for private charter as well. If you want to travel further afield ask your hotel if they can arrange a car and driver for the day or direct you to the local bus services.

Area Map

History & Info

Chanthaburi, which is 250 kilometers from Bangkok, is part of the tourist towns in Eastern Thailand including Chonburi, Rayong, and Trat. It is convenient to travel to Chanthaburi as the road is good and the drive only takes about 2 hours.
Almost one fourth of Chanthaburi geography is mountains. Each mountain range is covered with tropical rainforests, which is the origin of waterfalls, various rivers; e.g. Chanthaburi River and Welu River, and the long coastline of 108 km. The brackish water covers mangrove forests throughout ten thousands of rais.
There is evidence that Chanthaburi was an ancient city since the days when Khmer prospered. Later on in the Ayutthaya era, there was a city found that had the name “Chanthabun”, which was colonized by Ayutthaya. After the defeat of Ayutthaya to Burma in 1767, this eastern province began its prominence in Thai history when King Taksin Maharaj used Chanthabun as the base for supplies and troop gathering before regaining independence from Burma. Even in the early Rattanakosin era, Chanthaburi had the status as an outpost and the port of commerce because of its convenient seaport for international commerce.
Chanthaburi was rich in many natural resources, including the source of various gem stones such as red gemstones (Ruby), Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, Blue and Yellow Sapphire, and Emerald. The mining and gem trade business was flourishing. Even though the gemstones nowadays are depleting, Chanthaburi is still famous for cutting stones and has a big gem trade in its downtown area.
Chanthaburi is also well-known as the city of fruits. As its rich soil contains mineral sediments from rivers, which are favorable to grow vegetables and fruits including rambutans, salacca, mangosteens and durians, etc. Tourists and tour groups can come to visit fruit orchards and enjoy tasting the fruits. In addition, it is a city abundant with fresh seafood and authentic local dishes filled with spices such as cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and especially the most aromatic Chathaburi peppercorn.
Chanthaburi province offers many intriguing tourist attractions including natural parks, and waterfalls, e.g. Namtok Phliu National Park, Soi Dao Waterfalls, etc. There are several marine attractions, islands and ecological attractions such as mangrove natural reserves. Other cultural attractions including Chunthaburi Cultural Center, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception or beautiful architecture of Port Royal at waterfront residential community are mostly located in the city.

Direction Map

Information

Getting to know Chanthaburi

Chanthaburi, which is 250 kilometres from Bangkok, is part of the tourist towns on the east coast of Thailand, including Chon Buri, Rayong, and Trat. With the great road condition, travel to Chanthaburi conveniently takes approximately 2 hours by car.
Geographically, Chanthaburi is surrounded by mountains nearly one fourth of the province. Bountiful tropical rainforests cover each of the mountain ranges originating waterfalls and various rivers; such as, the Chanthaburi River and the Welu River. Its 108 km of extended coastline is covered with ten thousand rai of mangrove forests that grow in the brackish waters of this precious coastal estuary.
There is evidence that Chanthaburi was an ancient city established while the Khmer kingdom was thriving. Later on in the Ayutthaya era, there was evidence of a city named “Chanthabun”, which was colonised by Ayutthaya. After the defeat of Ayutthaya to Burma in 1767, this eastern province began its prominence in history when King Taksin the Great utilised Chanthabun city to station his patriotic troops and build supplies for troops prior to regaining independence back from Burma. Then on in the early Rattanakosin era, Chanthaburi gained its status as an outpost as well as the port of commerce due to its easy access for international shipping.
Nowadays, Chanthaburi province is still very rich in many natural resources including precious stones such as red gem stones (ruby), tourmaline, blue topaz, blue and yellow sapphire, and emerald. The mining and gem trade business has been flourishing. Even though the gem stones nowadays are depleting, Chanthaburi is still famous for cutting gems stones and has a big gem trade in its downtown area.
Chanthaburi is also well-known as the city of fruits. As its rich soil contains mineral sediments from the rivers, which are favourable to grow vegetables and fruits including rambutan, salacca, mangosteen, durian, etc. Tourists and tour groups can come to visit the fruit orchards, where they can enjoy tasting the fruits. In addition, it is a city abundant with fresh seafood and authentic local dishes flavoured generously with spices; such as, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and especially the most aromatic Chathaburi peppercorn.
For recreation and tourism, Chanthaburi will offer you many intriguing attractions including national parks, and tiered waterfalls, e.g. Namtok Phliu National Park, Namtok Soi Dao, etc. In addition, there are several marine attractions, islands and ecological attractions such as mangrove forest reserves. Other cultural attractions that are located in town are the Chanthaburi Cultural Centre, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception or the beautiful architecture of “Tha Luang”, the old waterfront residential community.