Chanthaburi

Famous for its abundance of tropical fruits and as a center for gem mining, the eastern province of Chanthaburi is also blessed with rich, verdant forests and scenic waterfalls. The Chanthaburi River flows through the provincial capital, which has been occupied since ancient times. Quiet fishing villages and peaceful beaches are not far from town, making Chantaburi the ultimate get-away-from-it-all Thailand province.

Chanthaburi, the capital of the province bordering Cambodia to the east, was occupied by the French during the end of the 19th century. Their influence can be seen in the architecture of many buildings within Chanthaburi town, including the largest Catholic cathedral in Thailand, which to this day caters to a sizeable Christian population, many of whom are ethnic Vietnamese, who migrated to Thailand in the 20th century.