11 March,2010 (Thu)  


 

 
Chanthaburi

Commonly called Muang Chan, Chanthahuri is another eastern province which has played an important role in the history of the nation both before and during the Rattanakosin Period. It is wealthy and rich in flatural resources, particularly gems in addition to the plentiful orchards of tropical fruits including rambutan, durian and mangosteen. Products from the seas are also extensive. It is also blessed with natural beauty and attractions equal to many sister provinces. Chanthaburi is about 291 kilometres from Bangkok on Highway 3, or 245 kilometres on Highway 36, taking a right turn at Km. 323.

City Attractions

  • King Taksin the Great Monument

    • The equestrian statue of the king dominate the provincial capital's park. The statue is prominently featured on the green 20 baht Thai banknote.

  • Thailand's Largest

    • Church
    The riverside distiflctly French-style Church of the immaculate Conception is the largest Christian church in Thailand and dates from the late l800s.

  • Noen Wong Fort

    • This is part of the city wall built during the reign mid 1800s as protection against Vietnamese forces. Old cannon fortresses are still evident. A Maritime Museum in the compound hehind the fort walls houses archaeo-logical treasures, mostly medieval pottery, recovered from sunken merchant vessels in the Thai Gulf.

  • Underwater Archacological Museum

    • It is the place where antiques taken from ancient junks lying in the seabed of the Gulf of Thailand are well stored. Most of the objects are earthenware and Sangaloke china. The office is situated in Noen Wong fort, a military camp built in the reign of King Rama III as a barrier against enemies from Vietnam.

    At present, some traces of the wall and bulwark are still left to be seen at the camp site, which is on the route to Ban Tha Chalap, 8 kms, away from the town to the west.

  • Si Chan Road

    • Also known as Gem Road, an economic route of the province. Cut gems are put on sale here. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, gem trading in Trok Krachang or Krachang Lane lends a very informal atmosphere.

  • Phlio Waterfall National Park

    • The 42,000-acre national park some 50 kilometres east of Chaflthahuri, contains. numerous species of wild animals, birds and trees and plants. The focal point is the petite waterfall that gives the park its name.

  • Laem Sing Cape

    • Some 31 kilometres west of Chanthaburrs provincial capital, this area comprises largely a fishing community with beachside restaurants specialising in native-style seafood. Two historical structures in the immediate vicinity, namely the Khuk Khi Kai, a jail built by the French in l893 to house Thai prisoners, upon whom chickens used to defecate, giving the jail its name, and the Tuk Daeng, originally the headquarters of a fort, but used as a residence by French officers, attest to Indochina's colonial past.

  • Oasis Sea World

    • This coastal marine centre, some 6 kilometres from Laem Sing Cape, breeds and conserves dolphins from local waters. The centre stages daily dolphin shows and contain a small zoo and aviary.

  • Khao Khitchakut National Park

    • some 30 kilometres from the provincial capital, via a turning at Km 304 on Sukhumvit Highway and a 21-kilometre drive through farmland and forest, this national park contains the Krathing Waterfall and a famous cave nmamed Tham Rusi (Hermit's Cave) in a forest setting.

  • Lacm Sadet, Khung Wiman & Chao Lao Beach

    • Accessible from Km. 30l on Sukhumvit Highway, and a suhsequent 27-kilometre drive, the natural combination of beach, cape, mountain and bay provide a soothing setting for swimming and sunbathing.

  • Wat Khao Sukim

    • Located at Km. 305 on Sukhumvit Highway, then turn left ahout l3 kilometres, is a centre for meditation in a tranquil and tree shaded atmosphere.

  • Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary

    • Is located at Tambon Sai Khao, Amphoe Sai Dao ahout 70 kms fiom Muang Chanthahuri. It occupies an area of 465, 637.5 rai. To get to the park, please contact the Wildlife Saflctuary Division Tel (02) 56l-4292-3

  • Pong Nam Ron Canal White Water Rafting

    • It is about l2 kms long. There is an ahundance of local fruits such as ramhutan, durian, jacktfruit, and pomelo along the route.

    Chan Road is a major centre for Chanthahurrs nationally renowned gemstones, principally ruhies and blue star sapphires, which are locally mined and polished, and can he purchased by the carat or in finished jewellery settings.

  • Reed Mats

    • Chanthaburi has long heen known as a major producer of reed mats. Modern techniques have been employed to produce other products, including handbags, place mats and paper holders.

  • Tropical Fruits

    • Chaflthaburrs orchards are famous for their succulent fruits, which include Ramhutans, Durians, Mangosteens, Langsat and Zalacca.

    How to Get There
    By bus
    Airconditioncd coaches and non-alrconditioned buses to Rayoflg and Chanthahuri leave Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal on Sukhumvit Koad near Soi Ekamai every day. for flirther details, please contact Bangkok 39l-4900 (air) and 3l9-2504 (flon-air).

    By Air
    Bangkok Airways operates regular scheduled flights from Samui island to Rayong-Utapao International Airport. Please contact Bangkok Airways Tel. (02) 229-3456, Don Muang office, (02) 535-2497-8, and Pattaya office, (038) 4ll-9665 for ftrther details. Orient Thai Airlines operates regular scheduled flights (Chaing Mai-Rayong-Utapao-Bangkok). for ftrther details please contact Orient Thai Airlines, Utapao office, (038) 245-967, and Chiang Mai office, (053) 20l-566-7, 272-040.

  • Golf Courscs

    • Rayong Century Golf & Country Club
    81 Mu 6, Sukhumvit Koad, Ban Chang, Rayong
    Tel: (038) 602-889, 603-999,
    Fax: (038) 602-889

    Eastern Star Country Rayong
    241/5 Mu 3, Ban Chang-Pala Road, Amphoe Ban Chang, Rayong
    Tel: (038) 630-4l0-6,
    Fax: (038) 630-4l7-8

    Rayong Green Valley Country Club
    Ban Chang-Yai Ra Road, Amphoe Ban Chang, Rayong
    Tel: (038) 603000-5,

    Great Lake Golf & Country Club
    Tambon Mah Yang Porn, Pluak Daflg distict, Rayong

  • Chanthaburi Soi Hao Highland

    • 153/l Moo 2, Tamhon Tahsai, Amphoe Poflg Nam Ron, Chanthaburi, 22l40
    Tel: (039) 387-l23, 322831-2,
    Fax: (039) 321483

    Special Events

  • Rayong

    • New Year & Red Cross Fair
    Staged from December 28 until January 3, the event features special exhibitions and entertainment.

  • Fruit Fair

    • Genera1ly staged during mid-May, the fair celebrates local tropical fruits, and features colourflll floats, processions, beauty pageants and loca1 produce.

  • Phra Chedi Klang Nam Fair

    • This annual celebration occurs during the twelfth lunar month at the time of Loi Krathong, Thailand's lovely Festival of Lights and features exciting boat races.

  • Chanthaburi

    • Fruit Fair
    Also staged mid-May, this fruit fair in the provincial capital celebrates the abundance of durians, mangosteens, rambutans and other local delicacies. Cultural shows and exhihitions number among other attractions.

  • TAT Central Region Office: Region 4

    • 153/4 Sukhumvit Rd., Amphoe Muang, Rayong 2l000
    Tel: (66 38) 655-420-l,664-585 Fax: (66 38) 655-422
    E-mail Address:
    tatry@ infonews.co.th
    Area of Responsihility Rayong and Chanthaburi