Chanthaburi is like a second home to us: if we had to live anywhere in Thailand, it would be here! We love that the city revolves around the everyday lives of its inhabitants and not mass tourism – be it the hardworking farmers tending their durian trees, the traders buying and selling precious stones, or the fishermen bringing back rich seafood from the nearby coast.
Kat grew up in Chanthaburi, and her sister Pare now lives there, so we visit as often as possible. Initially, Cam didn't know what to expect, as he had never heard of Chanthaburi or seen any advertisements for it on social media or travel blogs. However, after several trips over the years, he can confidently say it's one of his favorite places in Thailand.
Through the wonderful experiences we had with Kat and Cam's family there, Chanthaburi has become very dear to us. It's one of Thailand's hidden gems that we hope to recommend to more travelers – not in a touristy way, ticking off sights on a list, but to discover a part of Thailand that exudes pure authenticity at a leisurely pace and with genuine curiosity.
Dinner with the family at the Chanthaboon Waterfront
Kat with her sister Pare in Chanthaburi
Cam and Kat explore Chanthaburi
Our connection to Chanthaburi
Every trip to Chanthaburi offers us the opportunity to see Kat's family and friends again and to immerse ourselves in their daily lives. We are often taken to restaurants that tourists would never visit—hidden, small eateries, dimly lit, surrounded by lush greenery—where the tables are set for feasts. We've noticed that the locals never order individually, but rather enjoy all the dishes together.
Seafood is ubiquitous in Chanthaburi and is served in a wide variety of creative ways: whole fish marinated in garlic and lime, fried squid, crab curries, and much more. Plates pile up until the table overflows with color and steam. Thais don't expect you to eat everything—that's not the point. It's about conversation, passing around the dishes, sharing a beer, and enjoying each other's company. Eventually, the Thai whiskey comes into play, and memories can start to fade a bit! But it's simply a lot of fun.
Our days in Chanthaburi rarely feel like typical tourist days or sightseeing tours. We try to explore the city like the locals – whether it's riding a Grab motorbike through town or driving a pickup truck on the back roads. Once, our brother-in-law (Ring) gave us a ride in his pickup, and a Canadian expat saw us and exclaimed, "You don't see that every day in Chanthaburi!" He had a very strong Canadian accent, which for some reason made it even funnier!
We celebrated with friends in live music bars, tried every imaginable type of durian, visited Chanthaburi Cathedral at Christmas, prayed and did good deeds in Buddhist temples (like Wat Pak Nam Khem Nu), and spent many evenings on Chanthaburi's charming waterfront promenade. All of this has become very special memories for us.
In addition, we had the opportunity to explore other parts of eastern Thailand besides Chanthaburi and to accompany Ring to his durian farms in the remote provinces of Sa Kaeo and Trat. He is a passionate advocate for agriculture and horticulture and loves cultivating different varieties of durian, fruits, and plants. Visiting Ring's farm and spending time in the surrounding villages truly gave us a deeper understanding of rural Thailand.
Kat and Pare on the durian farm
Kat meets with the villagers in Sa Kaeo
Ring rides his motorcycle through the countryside
What Chanthaburi offers travelers
Chanthaburi is strategically located between Bangkok and the Koh Chang islands in eastern Thailand, making it a convenient stopover. Most people see it merely as a means to an end: a place to spend the night before continuing their journey to the islands. But in our opinion, that's a mistake. Spend a few days there and you'll be pleasantly surprised by everything Chanthaburi has to offer.
Chanthaburi, also known as the "fruit bowl of Thailand," is a region with fertile soil, extensive orchards, and some of the world's finest durian, mangosteen, longan, and rambutan varieties. Fruit farming is a lucrative business here, with the Chinese market in particular buying tons of durian each year. A visit between April and July offers the chance to experience fruit festivals, tasting booths, orchard tours, and truckloads of fruit and vegetables.
Chanthaburi has much more to offer than just fruit. It's also one of the world's historic centers of gemstone processing and trade. Traders have been coming here since the 17th century, searching for sapphires and rubies. The gemstone district remains a vibrant hub of activity today. Add to that beautiful temples, delicious seafood, coastal panoramas, waterfalls, and enchanting riverbanks – it's no wonder that the few travelers who make it here fall in love instantly.
Cam, Kat and Pare in Chanthaburi
15 Top Things to Do in Chanthaburi
1. Dine along the Chanthaboon waterfront.
Chanthaburi's waterfront promenade is the most atmospheric and charming part of the city, especially in the evenings when the shops and restaurants are decorated with strings of lights. We've spent many evenings here with friends and family, and as you'd expect, food and beer always play a key role. Here you'll find typical dishes that originated in Chanthaburi, such as Sen Chan Pad Pu (fried noodles with crab) and Moo Cha-Muang (pork belly curry with cowpea leaves).
Restaurants at Chanthaboon Waterfront
Chanthaboon Waterfront Community
Dinner with Ring and friends
2. Stay overnight at the Punyashthiti Villa (Historic Inn)
On our last trip, we opted to stay at one of the historic guesthouses along the Chanthaboon waterfront – and it was simply wonderful! We chose the Punyashthiti Villa and booked a cozy little room with a balcony overlooking the river. The guesthouse offered a café, a museum on the second and third floors, and bicycles, which we used to explore the streets. It was so much fun cycling through the narrow lanes and discovering the street art, cafés, bakeries, jewelry shops, and Chinese temples.
Exploring the area around the Punyashthiti Villa
3. Enjoy Chanthaburi's legendary seafood
Seafood is practically a religion in Chanthaburi, but definitely not the touristy kind. When we go out to eat with friends and family, the tables are piled high with fresh crab, grilled fish, oysters, and spicy salads. There are countless fantastic restaurants, both in the city and along the coast—just follow your nose, and you're guaranteed to eat well. Be sure to try regional Thai classics like Pu Ja (fried crab meat), Kaeng Som (sour fish soup), and one of our favorites: spicy papaya salad with raw blue crab.
4. Admire the Cathedral of Chanthaburi.
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is one of Thailand's most impressive buildings. Its striking neo-Gothic architecture and grey and white facade rise majestically above the river. Inside, you'll find a jewel-encrusted statue of the Virgin Mary, adorned with hundreds of thousands of sapphires and rubies – many of them donated by local merchants.
5. Visit the Blue Temple (Wat Pak Nam Khem Nu)
Wat Pak Nam Khem Nu, also known as the Blue Temple, is one of Thailand's most visually stunning temples. Every pillar, every staircase, and every detail of the roof is adorned with intricate blue and white ceramic tiles that shimmer brightly in the midday sun. Inside, you'll find the revered Buddha statue of Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, as well as vibrant murals depicting important Buddhist stories. During our visit, we watched an artist completing some of the murals—the level of detail was simply breathtaking!
6. Explore Namtok-Phlio National Park
Just a short 20-minute drive from the city, you'll find Namtok Phlio Waterfall, cascading into emerald-green pools surrounded by smooth rocks and lush rainforest. A particular highlight for children is the "fish spa" experience in the pool. It teems with soro carp, and you can sit on the rocks while the fish nibble at your feet or feed them long beans. Unlike many other Thai waterfalls, Namtok Phlio flows year-round, although the flow is strongest during the rainy season.
Namtok Philo National Park
With the family in Namtok Phlio National Park
7. Experience the international gemstone market
The International Gemstone Market is just around the corner from Chanthaboon and is busiest from Friday to Sunday. Dealers from all over the world come here to buy sapphires, rubies, and much more. Buyers sit at tables while sellers negotiate prices with calculators and scales. Keep in mind that this is a wholesale market, so if you're looking to buy gemstones, it's advisable to buy from reputable dealers. Even so, during our visit, we bought a few bracelets and pieces of jewelry and enjoyed the delicious street food.
International gemstone market
8. Shopping and dining at the Central Chanthaburi Mall
We wouldn't normally recommend shopping malls, but Central Chanthaburi is an exception. When we're hungry and want to escape the heat, we often come here to eat Thai food in the air conditioning. We even prefer shopping here to shopping in Bangkok, simply because it's smaller, quieter, and easier to navigate. Sometimes, Chanthaburi Hall also hosts events related to fruit, gemstone exhibitions, or weekend shows, which can be quite interesting.
Animal exhibits in the center of Chanthaburi
9. Get lost in the city streets on your scooter.
Whizzing through the weathered streets of Chanthaburi is a real adventure – especially around the gemstone market and the riverfront. You feel like you're in a completely unknown, remote corner of the city. Pare is constantly taking us to new places – whether it's a noodle restaurant by the river or a hidden temple on the outskirts. Once, we just wanted to pop into 7-Eleven to pick up a few things, and suddenly there it was: a breathtaking, gold-and-green temple! You simply never know what you'll discover in Chanthaburi.
Hidden temple we found on the way to 7-Eleven
Follow Pare around Chanthaburi
10. Try durian (even if you think you hate it)
Kat has loved durian all her life, but it took Cam a while to warm up to the fragrant fruit. He visited the region once during the April harvest and tried a creamy and sweet variety (Monthong), which finally won him over. Durian simply tastes better in Chanthaburi; after all, it's the world's largest producer, and the famous fruit festival takes place there every year from late May to early June. Honestly, though, we prefer durian chips. Unlike the fruit, they don't smell and are absolutely delicious. Just be careful not to drink too much alcohol with durian, as this can lead to nausea and a terrible hangover!
11. Dinner at Chantorn Pochana
Fittingly, given the durian theme, the Massaman durian curry at Chantorn Pochana is an absolute must-try in Chanthaburi. This cozy restaurant is located in the historic river district and is known for its delicious dishes featuring local fruits and herbs. We recently went there for dinner and ordered the Massaman durian curry, Sen Chan Pad Pu (fried noodles with crispy crab), and crushed prawns with chili, lemongrass, and shallots, served with vegetables. Everything was delicious, incredibly flavorful, and reasonably priced.
12. Enjoy street food at Centric Market Plaza
Centric Market Plaza is a lively local market with a diverse range of offerings: fresh sushi, Thai desserts, regional fruits and snacks, lemon drinks, and affordable clothing and fashion items. The atmosphere, both indoors and outdoors, is very family-friendly – an ideal place to sample street food with children when visiting Chanthaburi with your family.
With the family at Centric Market Plaza
Kat at Centric Market Plaza
13. Start your day at the Khombang Morning Market.
The Khombang Morning Market on the outskirts of Chanthaburi is a traditional market nestled in a charming neighborhood of typical Thai wooden houses. Pare works at a street food stall here, selling fresh spring rolls to locals for breakfast or lunch. One morning, we decided to help her set up her stall and enjoyed chatting with the locals, selling some spring rolls ourselves, and experiencing a different side of the city. If you'd like to visit the market, it's open daily from 5:30 am to 9:30 am.
Kat and Pare at the Khombang Morning Market
Kat and Pare return from the Khombang Morning Market
14. Find happiness at Wat Mangkorn Buppharam
Wat Mangkorn Buppharam is located on a main road, just before the turnoff to Namtok Phlio National Park. The temple uniquely combines Chinese art and Buddhist architecture. Many locals visit it seeking prosperity and good fortune, and to resolve conflicts. The temple contains over a dozen different prayer areas.
15. Off to Koh Chang or Koh Kood!
The ferry terminals that take you to Koh Chang and Koh Kood are about a 90-minute drive from Chanthaburi. If you have the time, you should definitely visit both islands. Koh Chang is the livelier option with plenty of amenities (hotels, restaurants, 7-Elevens) and activities like beach clubs, snorkeling trips, and kayaking tours through the mangroves. Koh Kood, on the other hand, is all about simple pleasures: tropical beaches, palm trees, and bars enjoying the sunset.
Read more: 20 top activities on Koh Chang: The complete travel guide
Accommodation in Chanthaburi
Over the years, we've stayed in various hotels and resorts in Chanthaburi, some with pools, others with restaurants. But honestly, the most wonderful experience is staying in one of the historic guesthouses along Chanthaburi's riverfront. From there, you can easily walk to the gemstone market, have a wide selection of restaurants and shops right on your doorstep, and at night admire the river illuminated by strings of lights and temples.
When is the best time to visit Chanthaburi?
Chanthaburi is definitely a year-round destination, but the best time to visit, especially for island hopping, is from November to March. From April to July, it can get very hot and humid, which many find unpleasant. However, this is also the "fruit season," when markets overflow with durian and fruit farms offer unique tours and tastings.
During the rainy season (May to October), there is significantly more rainfall than in other parts of Thailand, yet it is still a beautiful time to travel. The landscape is greener, the waterfalls are more impressive, and the hiking trails are lush with vegetation. Ferries to Koh Chang continue to operate, however, strong winds can lead to rough seas from August to October. Therefore, flexibility is important.
Arrival in Chanthaburi
We usually take a private van from Bangkok. This can be quite expensive for a couple, but it's worth it if you split the cost in a small group. The journey takes between three and five hours, depending on traffic, departure point, and the number of stops. We've also taken a bus from the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) a few times and Grab taxis to Chanthaburi. However, Grab taxis can be uncomfortable and risky, especially if you get a reckless driver who's constantly overtaking!
Frequently asked questions for a visit to Chanthaburi
Is Chanthaburi worth a visit?
In our humble opinion, the answer is a resounding yes! Chanthaburi is definitely worth a longer stay (not just one night) where you can immerse yourself in the local rhythm: mingle with the locals at markets, enjoy seafood feasts, shop in Chanthaburi's boutiques, visit waterfalls and national parks, and explore the labyrinth of streets by scooter.
How many days should you spend here?
Two to three nights are ideal for Chanthaburi. Let's say you're planning a two-week trip to Thailand. Here's a great itinerary: four days in Bangkok with rooftop bars and vibrant nightlife, three days in Chanthaburi for an authentic culinary adventure, and then a week on Koh Chang, Koh Kood, and Koh Mak to enjoy some well-deserved time on the beach.
Is Chanthaburi a tourist destination?
Unlike other Thai destinations such as Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Koh Phi Phi, Chanthaburi thankfully avoids mass tourism. It possesses a unique charm that attracts the right kind of traveler. Foodies, history buffs, and adventurous travelers alike will feel right at home, connecting with locals and discovering one of Thailand's best-kept secrets!
Songthaew rides in Chanthaburi
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