Joanna James
Chanthaburi is a quieter part of Thailand, away from the beaches, loud streets and nightclubs. This town is a refreshing break if you like calm vacations and lazy evenings.
Taking a walk through the Old Town of Chanthaburi is like taking a walk back in time. If you are a traveller who loves learning about cultures and historical facts about the places you visit, then this town has many stories for you.
If you are staying at a hotel in Chanthaburi in the area, such as Chatrium Golf Resort Soidao, the gulf coast wouldn't be too far. Unlike the usual golden sandy beaches found in most parts of Thailand, the beaches found at this coast are empty and forlorn, with inlets and tiny islands as far as the eye can see. You'd see mini fisher villages along the coast, and when you take a look at the fishing process here, you will see that most of the fishermen still use traditional methods of fishing.
The house of prayer is close to the river and is right across the old town of Chanthaboon. The primary church was first built in the year 1711, but the structure that exists now was built only in 1909, by the people of Vietnam. A large statue of the Virgin Mary can be seen right before the church, and local people can regularly be seen lighting up incense sticks and laying down flowers at the foot of the statue. This house of God has a flourishing Thai and Vietnamese congregation, yet the church is just open to people in general at the end of the weekly church services and festivals.
Chinese entryways lead you into the 200-year-old sanctuary, which has a huge picture of the Garuda, which is the national seal of Thailand. The main lobby is decorated with sparkly gold and red hues, and this part of the temple is home to a bright golden Mahanaya image of Guanyin in a meditative pose. You can also see a laughing Maitreya picture along with a Thai style Buddha at the central shrine. The sanctuary is one of Chanthaburi's major attractions, and the market that is set up daily close to the shrine is one of the best places in town to try out local desserts.
Everyone knows that Chanthaburi is famed for its collection of gem shops around town, but, the most popular place to get every kind of gemstone at is probably the Si Chan Road. Anything and everything that sparkles and shines can be bought here. Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings are the busiest times of the week; however, gem specialists from around the world can be seen filtering through the stones even on the other days. Also, on the off chance that you don't know the difference between an emerald and plain green glass at sight, it's best to not buy stones at the market.
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.
