Chanthaburi
Chanthaburi Cultural Center
Located at Rajabhat Institute Rampaipannee, in 3 buildings that have been a residence of the Queen of King Rama VII - Queen Rampaipannee. This center displays many utensils of the Queen, such as clothes, shoes, golf equipment, etc. There are also local ancient collections. For further information, contact the Institute office, Tel No. 66-39-335408-10
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| King Taksin the Great’s Park | |
| Located at the town center of Chanthaburi Province with an area of approximately 300 Rais, it covers a park, pond and islet where the King Taksin the Great Monument places. The shady trees around the park make it is a suitable place for relaxing. |  |
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| King Taksin Shrine | |
| Located on Tha Luang Road, in front of the Taksin Military Fort, the helmet shape of the shrine is beautiful and also attractive. Inside, there is the King Taksin Statue which is revered by many Thai people. An annual celebration is held every December 28, to commemorate his kindness as the great king who established the country. |  |
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| City Pillar Shrine | |
| It is located opposite King Taksin Shrine, and it is not known when it was constructed. There is an assumption that King Taksin built it when he used Chanthaburi Province as a military base camp for mustering people, weapons and food for re – establishing country. The original one may have been made from laterite, but nobody can surmise the true shape. The present shrine was built in 1981 and now it is being renovated. |  |
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| The Cathedral of Immaculate Conception | |
| Located near Stri Manda Phithak School, Tambon Chanthanimit, on the left side of the Chanthaburi River, this 275 years old historical church was renovated and rebuilt five times between 1711 to the present. The migrated Christian Vietnamese in Chanthaburi constructed it. The architecture in Gothic style decorated by stained glass and murals of Christian Gods, is beautiful and worth visiting. Besides, its style looks like the cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The beautiful antique houses in Vietnamese style around the church are interesting and allow tourists to have a close up view of the old community of Chanthaburi Province both life style and culture. Moreover, the morning market with local foods and desserts is also interesting. |  |
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| Wat Phai Lom | |
| The temple, which is situated on Tri Rat Road, about 500 metres from KP Grand Hotel, is an old one of the late Ayutthaya period. Murals painted in the classical style by skillful painters of Ayutthaya in the Ubosot (chapel), which shows the ten incarnations of the Buddha are beautiful and perfect both design and colour. It is worth visiting. Please contact the monks at the temple. |  |
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| Gem Road | |
| Around Sri Chan Road and Trok Krachang are well known as the Gem Road. It is the busiest part of town where hordes of people haggle over piles of precious stones. Many jewelry shops make this road become the biggest market of cut gems in Thailand, especially on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, gem trade spots with Thai currency notes transacted by the million from both Thais and foreigners. Touching the gem trade field is exciting and a good experience which cannot be found in other provinces of Thailand. |  |
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| Samet Ngam Handicraft Center | |
| Located at Ban Samet Ngam is the center of reed mat products made by villagers. They also make other products such as briefcases, slippers, purses, etc. from the reed mat. Watching the process of making these products can also be seen here. |  |
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| King Taksin Shipyard | |
| It is located about 1 kilometre beyond Wat Samet Ngam. The local people believe that King Taksin used this place as the shipyard when preparing forces in 1807. A relic shipyard which the Archeology Division surmises that it is the Chinese argosy for sea trading beside some docks have been found near the shore. |  |
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| Bang Sa Kao Handicraft Center |
| This is the another handicraft center of reed mat products made by villagers, located at Tambon Bang Sa Kao, Laem Singh District. They also make other products such as briefcases, slippers, purses, etc. from the reed mat. Opened daily for someone interested in watching the process of making products:08.30-18.00 hrs. Contact at Tel No. 66-39-450585 or 450587. |
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| Noen Wong Fort | |
| Located at Tambon Noen Ka Cha, on Highway No. 3147 (Tha Chalaep Road), the wall of the fort was built in the reign of King Rama III for defending the invasion from Vietnamese forces. The old cannons that line on the wall are very attractive. Inside the fort, there are several interesting places such as the city shrine of King Taksin, Wat Yothanimit in Chinese – style architecture, etc. Moreover, it is the location of the Underwater Archeology Section where investigation and conservation techniques are explained, and on display are finds ( Sangkhalok earthenware and ceramics ) from the seabed of the Gulf of Thailand . Ask for the lecturer at the office: Tel No. 66-39-391236-7. |  |
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| Merchant Marine National Museum | |
| Located at Noen Wong Fort, exhibits about the sea traders of Thailand, explorations and techniques of the Underwater Archeology Section and the famous aspects of Chanthaburi. Not only the main exhibition room on the 2nd floor, which display reproductive argosy is attractive and interesting, the mock – up of how the staff work underwater at the underground floor is also interesting. |  |
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| Wat Phlub | |
| Located at Tambon Bang Ka Cha, about I kilometre from Noen Wong Fort, the old chapel in Thai style architecture is interesting; including the replica of a Buddha image placed inside which differs from others in the style. They were constructed when King Taksin arrived at Chanthaburi. The more interesting aspect is the old rectangular stupa that was used for making potent water by magic for the King. The most interesting attraction is the wooden architecture called “Sam Sang”, a place for cremating a dead monarch. It is the oldest in Thailand. Unfortunately, it has only the basement remaining. |  |
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| Located on Sukhumvit Road ( Chanthaburi – Khlung ), Tambon Khlong Narai, about 5 kilometres from town, the beautiful 100 – years-old church and collection of antiques of ancient Khmer style inside are very interesting. Please note: the interested persons must contact in advance at the temple. |  |
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| Muang Phaniat Ancient Monument | |
| Located at Tambon Khlong Narai, is an ancient rectangular shape laterite wall. The Fine Arts Department officers surmise it may be the location of the earliest part of Chanthaburi, about 1,000 years ago. |  |
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| Crocodile Farm and Chamsom Zoo |
| Located at Tambon Salaeng, about 4 kilometres from Khao Raiya Intersection along the Highway no. 3249, many kinds of crocodile and wild animals are kept here. Around the farm are fruit orchards such as rambutan, durian, etc. Open daily: 08.30-17.30 hrs., two crocodile shows on weekends: 11.00 and 14.00; tickets: children-20 Baht and adults – 40 Baht. For more information, contact the office at Tel. No. 66-39-324247 or 312399. |