I first heard the word "Chachoengsao" seven or eight years ago, during my second stay in Bangkok. A friend of mine (who, remarkably, owned a car) had driven to the province for the weekend to enjoy the local café culture.

I did a quick Google search back then; nothing I found particularly interesting, certainly not enough to leave my comfortable surroundings in Bangkok. I more or less forgot about the place.

At the beginning of the year, I was finally able to cross this item off my wish list – at least as far as it was concerned. So, is a visit to Chachoengsao worthwhile? Let's discuss this question.

Why Chachoengsao remains so undiscovered

Regardless of the topic of this post, I don't think many tourists ask themselves whether Chachoengsao is worth a visit. As I mentioned in the introduction, there are even some foreign travelers who probably don't know this place exists! For those who do know about it, however, the question is one of logistics and transportation – how do you get there and how do you get around once you're there?

This creates a vicious cycle: Few non-Thai people write or post about Chachoengsao, which in turn further reduces the number of English speakers who know about or are interested in the place. The fact is, most farang (foreigners) who come to Thailand are more interested in trying their luck at online slots than in traveling off the beaten track. Luckily, you're not one of them, since you're here.

How to explore Chachoengsao

to get there

If you don't have your own car, getting to Chachoengsao is quite complicated. You can either take an agonizingly slow train (which takes twice as long as the drive) from Hua Lamphong station in Bangkok or a sometimes rather dangerous minivan from Ekkamai. Alternatively, you can negotiate a fixed price for a round trip with a taxi driver in Bangkok.

Find out how you can get around.

In this case, it's possible that your journey from Bangkok to Chachoengsao (and back) will also include trips within the province. If not, there's good news: numerous tuk-tuk and motorbike taxi drivers are waiting at both the train and bus stations, which you can hire relatively cheaply. You can also rent a motorbike, but I only recommend this for experienced riders.

Pick a temple, any temple.

When I was there with my husband, his niece, and my mother-in-law, I was looking forward to seeing the (let's say) more colorful temples of Chachoengsao, including Wat Saman Rattanaram "Ganesha" temple and the golden Wat Pak Nam. My mother-in-law, on the other hand, if given the choice, would probably have opted for Wat Sothorn (which is very traditional).

(Or all)

Luckily, a day trip to Chachoengsao without the whole family (I love you, Mom!) doesn't require much deliberation. You can also visit the "standing" Khlong Khuean Ganesh, whose true size can only be appreciated when viewed both from a distance and up close. Alternatively, you can book a Chachoengsao day tour from Bangkok that includes all these places and much more.

Decide how you want to eat

The bad news? I wasn't particularly impressed by Chachoengsao's much-praised café culture, although in fairness I didn't have my own car or the opportunity to explore it properly. The good news? We visited the charming Windmill Cafe. Although the menu was typically Thai (no Dutch dishes!), the decor was lovely. My husband's niece was absolutely delighted with the round window!

Should you stay overnight in Chachoengsao?

Chachoengsao isn't a popular destination for overnight stays, even among Thais. Most visitors to the province come for a day trip (or more often, part of a day) from Chonburi, Samut Prakan, or even Bangkok. It's simply not far enough away to justify an overnight stay, at least not in most cases. Of course, that doesn't answer my question.

If you're seriously considering how many days you should spend in Chachoengsao (i.e., whether you might need more than one day), I'd like to suggest a few options. There aren't any particularly luxurious accommodations in Chachoengsao, but you can stay in a proper hotel like the Wish Hotel if an aparthotel like the Kesorn Boutique Residence doesn't appeal to you.

Other frequently asked questions about visiting Chachoengsao

What is Chachoengsao famous for?

Chachoengsao is famous for the wide variety of temples that stretch along the Bang Pakong River. These include avant-garde garden temples like Wat Saman Rattanaram (also known as the "Ganesha" temple) and the typical Thai temple Wat Sothorn.

What does Chachoengsao mean?

Chachoengsao is a Khmer term meaning "deep canal." The name isn't Thai, which is quite fitting given the province's diverse architectural and spiritual influences. Interestingly, most Thais I speak to don't know this by heart.

How do I get from Bangkok to Chachoengsao?

If you don't have your own car, you can reach Chachoengsao by train (from Hua Lamphong Station), by bus or minivan (from Ekkamai), or by private taxi. However, please note that there is no public transportation in Chachoengsao. You will need a tuk-tuk or motorbike to get around.

Conclusion

Is Chachoengsao worth a visit? That's a tricky question. If you're relatively close (for example, in Sriracha) and have your own car, Chachoengsao certainly offers plenty of variety and entertainment. However, if you're in Bangkok and relying on public transport, the answer is less clear. Do you speak Thai well enough to negotiate a fair price for a full-day tuk-tuk, or are you prepared to pay double or even triple the price because you don't speak the language? Whatever your decision, I would be delighted if you entrusted me with planning your trip to Thailand.