The gateway to various coastal towns in the East, Chon Buri is about 80 kilometres southeast of Bangkok.
Attractions
The first miniaturized town in Southeast Asia, Mini Siam, has been a popular tourist attraction since its operation started many years ago in Pattaya. Features models of more than 80 places in Thailand, including the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Crocodile Farm and has daily crocodile and magic shows.
The Khao Khiew Zoo is an'open zoo' where visitors can see over 50 species of indigenous Southeast Asia birds and animals co-existing in their natural habitat. The animals live in spacious, enclosures with minimal fencing and birds in large aviaries. The zoo is set in a hilly, serene woodland area.
The town of Si Racha is famous for its spicy chili dip and open-aired, seafront seafood restaurants. Situated on a little rocky islet a few kilometers from the mainland is Koh Loy (Floating Island), a Thai-Chinese Buddhist temple that was originally accessible only at low tide. Nowadays, a concrete paved bridge connects Koy Loy with the mainland and serves as a ferry pier.
Off the coast of Si Racha is the small island of Koh Sichang that formerly contained King Rama V's favorite summer palace and used to be a customs checkpoint. Now it is a relatively quiet place with some architectural ruins and guesthouses.
On weekends and public holidays, the long stretch of Bang Saen Beach is a popular destination for Thais looking to unwind, play in the sun and surf, or picnick on BBQ chicken, sticky rice and fresh coconut juice. Lots of water sports equipment for rent, i.e.jet skies, banana boats, lounge chairs, inflatable tubes.
The Marine Scientific Institute is located on the campus of Burapha University in Bang Saen, walking distance from the beach. Inside are living marine creatures, big and small, displayed in glass cases with descriptive signs educating the public about the diverse marine ecosystem. Highlight is feeding time at 14.00 hr daily when divers enter the large water tank to feed the large fish, sharks, and stingrays.
People flock to Pattaya for the good, cheap accommodation, extensive beaches, excellent restaurants and excellent sports facilities. Jomtien Beach is more preferred for daytime activities, while Pattaya Beach comes to life after sunset. Or choose any of the nearby islands to relax or try a new water sport.
Pattaya is a great scuba diving training site for novices and refresher courses for expert divers. Most sites are within an hour's boat ride and features a year-round diving season with good visibility. Not too far out to sea in Pattaya Bay is the popular Bremen Wreck , teeming with colorful coral fish and nudi-branches. The 300-foot boat lies upright in 25 meters of water off the naval town of Satthahip.
The Pattaya Elephant Village is the first and largest elephant training school in Pattaya. Watch the elephants demonstrate their forestry skills and perform tricks, such as play football. Arrange to go jungle trekking or choose to go on a raft journey across a lake.
Catch the elaborate productions and magnificent costumes of the transvestite cabaret shows in Pattaya. These'girls' really love to perform and entertain. Be amazed by their beauty and regal finery. Shows are changed regularly and are packed nightly.
Located on Chetchamnong Road in town, Wat Yai Inthraram is an old temple built during the time of Ayutthaya, with Ayutthaya-style architectural influence. This is evident from the Ubosot (ordination hall) and Vihan (image hall) with their distinctive Gunwale Curve base, and the carved wooden door panels at the Mondop (square building with a pyramidal roof) over the Holy Footprints.
The Ubosot itself was renovated during the reign of King Rama III using glassware to adorn the gables and windows. Within the Ubosot are murals covering the entire four walls, which have been continuously restored over the years. In front of the temple stands a statue of King Taksin the Great. It is said that the king used to stop here on the way to set up his base in Chanthaburi during the Fall of Ayutthaya in 1767.
Ho Phra Phutthasihing. O n Wachiraprakan Road about 500 metres from the townhall houses a replica of the Phra Phutthasihing cast in pure silver. An extremely beautiful icon, it is highly revered by the townspeople.
A seaside fishing village, Ang Sila is about 5 kilometres from town. Most villagers are skilled in making implements from granite. Items made are mainly mortars and pestles widely used in Thai households in the olden times, and figurines of animals such as lions, elephants and horses as decorative items.
Khao Sam Muk is a low hillock situated between Ang Sila and Bang Saen along the road facing the seashore. A habitat of scores of wild monkeys, the hill-top affords a panoramic view of the Bang Saen beach. At the foot of the hill are Thai and Chinese shrines, highly respected by visitors. Legend has it that the cliff-top was where two lovers jumped to their death because of parental objection.
A well-known holiday beach, Bang Saen is only 14 kilometres from the provincial town. From Sukhumvit Road, take a right turn at Km 104 and proceed on for another 3 kilometres to get there. Bang Saen is widely popular with Thai holiday makers who happily romp along the long beach and partake in the tasty food available. Weekends are particularly crowded while it is relatively quiet during weekdays. Fronting the beach are hotels, bungalows, food-shops as well as shops selling and renting recreational gear and bicycles.
Getting There: Bus services are available from Bangkok's Ekkamai Bus Terminal throughout the day. There are also local "Song Thaeo" transports serving Chon Buri town-Nong Mon Market-Bang Saen.
The Marine Scientific Institute of the Burapha University operates a modern aquarium with a realistic underwater environment. There is also a marine science museum which is open daily, except Mondays, from 8.30 a.m. until 4.30 p.m. Admission fee is 20 baht for adults and 10 baht for children. For more information, call 0-3839-1671-3.
On Sukhumvit Road near the entrance road to Bang Saen is the widely popular Nong Mon Market .It offers a vast range of local products but mostly foodstuffs, both fresh and preserved. Among its well-known buys are different types of dried seafood. Khao Lam or gluttonous rice baked in bamboo, Ho Mok or spicy steamed fish cakes, Hoi Cho or deep fried shrimp cakes, sweetened banana and taro chips, sweetened fruit preserves, as well as rattan and bamboo basket ware from Phanat Nikhom.
Phanat Nikhom
Long known for its fine basketry products, the people of Phanat Nikhom originally made them for daily use. The products were gradually developed into more elaborate and marketable hand crafted items. The major market is at Talat Chaksan behind the Municipal Market I. To view the production process and higher quality items, pay a visit to the Promotion Centre for Bamboo Basketry Skills on Intha-asa Road near the district office, which is a royally-initiated project of Her Majesty the Queen.
Si Racha
Ko Loi is a small islet near the northern shore of Si Racha. Connected to the mainland by a bridge, it is a popular location for recreation by the local people. A flight of stairs leads up to the breezy hill top which offers a delightful view of the sea.
The Si Racha Tiger Zoo , at Km. 20 on Highway No. 36 between Pattaya and Bang Saen or 10 kilometres from Si Racha, keeps a large number of Bengal tigers, as well as crocodiles and other animals. There are shows involving trainers with tigers and crocodiles. Visitors will thrill to see how friendship can be possible among tigers, pigs and dogs which all live together. The park is open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission fee is 250 baht for adults and 150 baht for children. Call 0-3829-6556-8 or 0-2530-7412-3 for more information.
The Khao Khieo Open Zoo covers a vast tract of forestland and is operated by the Zoological Garden Organization. It is located 19 kilometres after a left-turn at Bang Phra, about 20 kilometres south of Chon Buri on Sukhumvit Road. There are more than 200 species of wildlife living in their natural habitat. They include both domestic and imported types. Open daily from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., the zoo also puts on shows of well-trained animals and birds. Admission fee is 300 baht for adults and 150 baht for children. A new feature is the Night Safari Tour by auto-trams. Call 0-38 29-8188, 0-3829-8270 ext 19, for more information.
About 15 kilometres from Sukhumvit Road on the same route to the Khao Khieo Open Zoo is the Chan Ta Then Waterfall. The section of the road close to the fall is quite steep. With five secondary levels, it can be reached on foot along the path running along side the stream. The best time to visit is between August and October when the water is clear and still plentiful.
Ko Si Chang
Twelve kilometers off the shore of Si Racha is the large island of Si Chang offering pleasant, quiet mountain and sea views. It is the site of a summer palace built during the reign of King Rama V. Named Phra Chuthathut Rachathan , the palace is made up of several buildings including halls, villas and a temple, all constructed in Thai-European architectural style. Although abandoned for over a century, several sections have been restored.
Another popular destination for visitors is the Chao Pho Khao Yai Shrine which attracts devotees all year round. Uphill from the shrine is a Holy Footprint and a Chedi (pagoda) housing a Holy Relic. From the summit of the hill spreads a panoramic view of the Si Chang Community, offering a beautiful view of the sunrise. Another viewing point is at Tham Chakkraphong where a large Buddha statue is enshrined. If you opt for a sunset view, go to Chong Khao Khat and Tham Khao Phang beach to the west of the island. Tham Khao Phang Beach is suitable for swimming.
There are hotels and bungalows on the island. For local transport, motorised tricycles can be chartered to travel around the island.
Getting There: There are daily ferry services between Si Racha and Ko Si Chang. Boats leave Si Racha's Tha Charin every hour from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. It takes about 45 minutes for the journey. On return, boats leave Ko Si Chang every hour from 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Amphoe Bang Lamung/ Amphoe Sattahip
Built in 1975, Wat Yansangwararam covers extensive ground and is surrounded by a scenic hilly landscape. The complex is made up of various religious buildings including an International Pavilion on the pond-side. One kilometre from the temple is a Chinese-style structure called Viharnra Sien, built by Thais of Chinese descent. Within the beautiful structure are housed Chinese antiquities and an exhibition of Chinese religious beliefs. Another special attraction is the Buddha Image cast on the Khao Chi Chan cliff by laser beams. The temple is located south of Pattaya along Highway No. 3 where at Km 160 a left turn leads to the site.
About 18 kilometres south of Pattaya, taking a left turn from Sukhumvit Road at Km. 163, is Suan Nong Nooch a sprawling recreation park in a typical Thai setting. Groups of traditional Thai houses and gardens with different flowering plants are dotted around the beautifully landscaped site. There are daily cultural and elephant shows attracting crowds of delighted visitors. Show times are 10.15 a.m. and 3.45 p.m. Admission fee is 300 baht. Tel: 0-3842-9321, 0-3842-9958 , 0-3870-9358-62 or 0-2252-1786
Bang Sa-re or Bang Saray is a fishing village some 16 kilometres south of Pattaya, taking a right turn at Km 164. South of Bang Saray is a deep bay suitable for angling. To the north are accommodation and dining facilities along the beach.
Another village offering good fishing opportunities is Samae San , located some 17 kilometres further from the Sattahip deep-water port. There are bungalow-type accommodations and tourists can charter boats to enjoy fishing around the nearby islands. These entire small islands are under the jurisdiction of the navy.
Festival
The Annual Chon Buri Red Cross Fair is held about mid -April. There is a Phra Phutthasihing Procession. Also organised are cultural shows, exhibitions and stalls offering various types of products.
The Buffalo Day is a long-established celebration of this most useful animal utilized by Thai farmers. A fun-filled event, it is held not only in Chon Buri itself but also in Ban Bung and Nong Yai districts. The beasts of burden are dressed outrageously or with admirable creativity by owners depending on their imagination. Assembled in the courtyard in front of the town hall, the buffaloes partake in racing, or take part in physical fitness and "fashion" contests.
Hotels and accommodation
Restaurants
- Amphoe Muang (Chon Buri Town)
- Pattaya
- Amphoe Si Racha
- Ko Sichang
- Amphoe Phanat Nikhom
- Amphoe Sattahip
- Amphoe Muang (Bang Saen)
How to get there
* By Car
Chon Buri is one-hour drive from Bangkok along Highway No. 34 (Bang Na-Trat). Alternatively, a faster trip can be made using the Motor Way (new Bangkok-Chon Buri Route).
* By Bus
The 1.30-hour journey from Bangkok can be made on regular buses originating from the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai). Air-conditioned buses leave Ekkamai every 40 minutes from 5.30 a.m.-9 p.m. Tel: 0-2391-9829. Non air-conditioned buses leave Ekkamai every 30 minutes from 5 a.m.-9 p.m. Tel: 0-2391-2504.
There are also air-conditioned buses leaving the Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road from 6.30 a.m.-6.30 p.m. Call :0-2936-2852-66 for more information. Si Racha Tour Tel: 0-2936- 4029 also operates air-conditioned bus services to Chon Buri and Bang Saen.