Things to do in Chanthaburi – The Iconic Attractions of Chanthaburi

Chanthaburi, like much of Thailand, has incredible natural beauty which is why there's many a Chanthaburi resort to be found such as the Chatrium Golf Resort Soi Dao. One of the best places to experience her lush natural beauty is Namtok Phlio National Park, which is a short ride away from the main city. The park is named after an iconic Thailand waterfall which forms a freshwater pool within the park. During the monsoon people at the observation area about a hundred meters away from the waterfall can be covered in moisture. The stunning park covers an area of 135 square kilometres and at its heart contains a scared burial shrine of a queen who drowned in the late 1800s.

Located close to the national park is this intriguing mountain-top temple. During the 20th century, the temple was the abode of a monk who became an icon in the region. During his last days the humble temple received an extensive amount of gifts and donations. This resulted in the temple being transformed into a massive structure in tribute to monk. Many of the lavish gifts are showcased within the temple as well, such as ceramic vases that are more than two metres tall, and furniture containing striking designs comprised of mother-of-pearl.

The Chanthaburi area has a thriving market for precious stones, and it is a defining trait of the district. The mountains of Chanthaburi are reputed for being one of the richest sources of gemstones, and resulted in a thriving industry. In the present day the gem industry has developed to a point where various precious stones from Asia are also brought here to be sold, making the Gem Market of Chanthaburi one of the best places in the world to find Blue Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies and many other precious stones.

At one point in time, Chanthaburi was a significant military base, and this is an essential place to visit if you'd like to get a glimpse of that event in time. Khai Nern Wong was once a fort that was built during the 1800s by King Rama III to provide a strategic defensive front against invaders from Vietnam. In the present day the fort is nonexistent except for a single wall and an assortment of antique canons. The site is also the location of the Chanthaburi Underwater Archaelogical Museum, which makes Khai Nern Wong a great place to cover two kinds of history.

There are many markets and shops where you can indulge in everything from food to shopping for souvenirs, but if you're short on time, then the Nam Phu Market is an essential one-stop location where you can purchase souvenirs ranging from mats to shirts while trying out all the best street-food Chanthaburi has to offer.