East Coast
Chanthaburi
Chanthaburi, about 291km (182mi) from Bangkok on Highway 3, or 245km (153mi) on Highway 36, is the capital of Chanthaburi Province. The province, also known as Muang Chant, is rich in natural resources, particularly gems, and is noted furthermore for its orchards of tropical fruits including Rambutan, Durian, Custard Apple and Longan.
Places of Interest
Pliew Waterfall National Park
The 16,800 hectare (42,000 acre) park, established 1975 in the area of the waterfall, is especially rich in plants and even wild fruit. Among the structures in the park is a Stupa which was built by King Rama V in 1876 as well as a pyramid-type building housing the remains of Queen Sunantha who two years earlier had visited the Pliew waterfall. Mini-buses leave from the Chanthaburi municipal market for the Pliew Waterfall daily.
Laem Singh (Cape Singh)
Laem Singh beach is not very appealing at present as it serves mainly as a landing site for fishing boats. The name of the cape, 31km (19mi) from the town of Chanthaburi off Sukhumvit Highway, refers to its likeness to a lion on all fours facing the sea. On Laem Singh hill are the remains of a fort built during King Rama III’s reign.
Khuk Khee Kai
Khuk Khee Kai, 1km (0.6mi) before the present-day pier, was used by the French as a detention center for Thais. The rectangular-shaped structure of red bricks has a perforated roof. It is said that the roof was used as a chicken coop from which fowl waste was dropped onto the prisoners.
Tuk Daeng
The "Red House" was built at the same time as the Kuk Khee Kai (1893). Originally it was the headquarters of the Pikart Pajamitr Fort but the French adapted it into living quarters for officers.
King Taksin Monument
A bronze statue of the king is housed on Tha Luang Road opposite the old governor’s office in a building erected in 1893.
Khao Khitchakut National Park
The park near the town of Makham, some 15km north of the town of Chanthaburi, has a number of beautiful waterfalls, among them the Krathing Waterfall. On top of Khao Khitchakut (Khitchakut Hill) is a Buddha footprint. (It is Buddhist belief that Buddha traveled the world several times after his earthly death, leaving behind footprints of human shape but usually oversized.) The park’s Tham Ruesi (Hermit’s Cave) has a well called Bo Ya (medicine well). The soil in the well is of yellow color. It is believed that the water can be used to cure some diseases. To get to the cave takes about 2hrs along a hiking trail.
Laem Sadet Beach
At this spot near the town of Tha Mai, some 25km (16mi) west of the town of Chanthaburi, both turbulent and calm seas can be seen at the same time.
Transportation
Bangkok - Chanthaburi
Buses from Bangkok’s Eastern Bus Terminal on Sukhumvit Road, 239km, non-aircon 48 Baht new route, 7:00, 8:30, 9:30, 13:30, 15:00, 23:00, 309km old route, 5:15 and every hour until 16:00; aircon new route 87 Baht, 7:00, 8:00, 10:00, 10:00, 12:30, 14:30, 16:00, 17:30, 20:30
Khlung
Khlung is a town in Chanthaburi Province, some 20km (13mi) east of the town of Chanthaburi.
Trat
Trat, 400km (250mi) from Bangkok, is the capital of Thailand’s easternmost province by the same name. The province has several beautiful beaches, all near main roads. In addition, there are many islands and islets with beautiful natural sceneries. The Khao Bantat range serves as a natural boundary with Cambodia to the east.
Places of Interest
Banchun Beach
Banchun Beach, 20km (13mi) east of the town of Trat, has white sand and clean water.
Khao Salad Dai Waterfall
The waterfall within a dense forest is about 32km (20mi) from town, off the Chintakanon (Saen Tung-Bo Rai) road.
Wat Buppharam (Wat Plai Khlong)
The Wat, 2km (1.25mi) from the town of Trat, was built in the late Ayutthaya period. It stores some Buddha relics and is noted for its wooden Vihara.
Wat Muang Kao Suen Tum
Wat Muang Kao Suen Tum is in Tambon Praneet, about 38km (24mi) from Khao Saming. It is famed for its dark brown stones weighing 10-100kg (22-220lbs). They are varied in shape and size and produce deep resonant sounds when struck.
Gem Market at Bo Rai
Around the towns of Bo Rai and Khao Saming, gems are mined in substantial quantities. Especially around Bo Rai, rubies are common finds of gem prospectors.
The gem market of Bo Rai is held daily from 7:00 to 10:00 at Hua Tung Market and from 13:00 to 15:00 at Klong Yor Market. Other markets such as Nong Bon Intersection, Ban Sra Yai Market, Ban Nontri and Ban Ta Ngam are open all day. The gems traded are not only of Thai origin. Across the border in Cambodia, gems are also dug up, and many of them are smuggled into Thailand. (The gem trade is for professionals only, and tourists who think they can buy a few rubies cheaply usually get burned.)
Transportation
Bangkok - Trat
Buses from Bangkok’s Eastern Bus Terminal on Sukhumvit Road; 387km, non-aircon 70 Baht, 4:20, 6:20, 7:45, 9:00, 10:50, 23:00; aircon 112 Baht, 7:00, 9:30, 11:00, 14:00, 15:30, 17:30, 20:30, 22:00
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