Joanna James
Chanthaburi has been home to various diverse communities and its attractions and culture reflect that. Here are some excellent places to see while you visit.
Located a few kilometres to the west of the old town, the park occupies a massive area full of lush green foliage. The park is also surrounded on all sides by a moat that makes it only accessible via a few bridges. On the outer skirts of the bridges lie many more green areas and a perfect walkway for jogging. In the heart of the park lies an absolute work of art, a wondrous statue of King Taksin holding up a sword from the back of his horse.
One of the biggest tourist attractions in Chanthaburi is its gem trade. Si Chan Road and the area around it are the highlight points when it comes to shops however, you can find an abundance of small gem shops all over the town. Fridays and the weekend mornings are the busiest times for these shops but you can witness jewellers from all corners of the globe going through the various stones around.
Chanthaburi is culturally eclectic and it remains home to a huge number of Khmer, Vietnamese and Chinese communities. Having ruled the area between 1893 and 1905 the town has also drawn a lot of influence from the French as well as the Shan of Burma. The food found here can be a true testament to this fact; however, it is the architecture that shines in its diversity. The city's temples, shrines and churches are a must see in absorbing its rich culture and heritage. Accommodation can be found almost everywhere if you're looking for small rooms or even a Hotel. Chanthaburi is a definite must-visit on anyone's list when visiting Thailand. The area is also particularly popular as a golfing retreat, with many places such as Chatrium Golf Resort Soidao devoted to the sport.
The Khun Krabaen Mangrove Trail can be found towards the western end of Hat Chao Lao, it's a nature trail that winds through a thick and luscious mangrove forest and opens to some breathtaking views of the bordering brackish inlets. The suspension footbridges along with the well-kept raised boardwalks lead to a five-storey tower as tall as the trees, giving you a great view of the surroundings.
A few kilometres southeast of Chanthaburi, on the way to Namtok Phlio, Wat Mong Gorn Phupharam can be found on Sukhumvit Road. It is a gorgeous Chinese Buddhist temple built relatively recently (40 years ago). The temple is home to over 30 individual shrine rooms full of colour. The Shrine rooms also feature some stunning statues of Maitreya Buddha, Amithaba Buddha, Guanyin and various other bodhisattvas
When passing the Khun Krabaen mangroves, you'll find the Khun Krabaen Aquarium. It contains wide dark hallways with large display tanks where you can marvel at the variety of sea creatures. Hundreds of colourful tropical fish in all shapes and sizes can be witnessed, especially in the glass-roofed walkway where sharks and eels all swim above you in such a beautiful fashion. The aquarium also displays a small collection of rare seashells that are also worthy of mention.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
