Chonburi, Bangkok’s nearest seaside town, located on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand, only 80 kilometers from the capital. There are full of natural resources, which are highlighted by delightful beaches, impressive local traditions, and delicious seafoods. This is a popular coastal province among Bangkok people who seek the nearest escape from hectic weekly schedules, escaping from the busy to the seaside resort of Pattaya, though Chonburi’s smaller, quieter seaside towns are also quite popular with foreigners and Thais alike.
Islands and Beaches
No trip to Chonburi is complete without a visit to at least one of the picturesque beaches or islands. The half-moon-shaped Pattaya Beach is 4 kilometers long with a road running parallel to the beach. To the north of the dazzling beach are various cosy resorts and hotels in a quieter atmosphere.
If you’re looking for the lively island, don’t miss Bang Saen Beach. Bang Saen is a well-known holiday beach only 13 kilometers from the city of Chonburi. Bang Saen has a lot of welcoming restaurants, bars and relaxed atmosphere places. Local vendors sell fruit, snacks and seafood, such as mussels, squid, and rent chairs, multicolored umbrellas. Inexpensive accommodations can be found at Bang Saen Beach.
Temples
If you are Buddhists, I’m sure you are not going to miss one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand in Chonburi. Wat Khao Phra Phutthabat Bang Sai is located on the left side of Sukhumvit Road a slightly prior to Mueang Chon Buri. Originally, there was an ancient picturesque Ayutthaya temple at the foot of the hill, but it was later ruined. Later, Phraya Phichitchonlakhet, the administrator of Mueang Chon Buri had Wat Phra Phutthabat Bang Sai re-constructed during the reign of King Rama V. The next temple you cannot miss is Phra Phutthasihing Shrine. The shrine houses a replica of the Phra Phutthasihing cast in pure silver. An extremely beautiful icon, it is highly revered by townspeople. During the Songkran Festival, there is a procession of the Phra Phutthasihing image around the town to provide an opportunity for the people to conduct a water-pouring ceremony onto the Buddha image for good luck.
Khao Kheow Open Zoo
You shouldn’t leave Chonburi without going to Khao Kheow Open Zoo, the first zoo in Thailand. Visitors can enjoy animal lives from either the day time or the night time. The number of animals is more than 8,000 from 300 animal types. In the zoo, there are places for seeing specific animals, so visitors can drive their vehicle to such places or can take a service bus provided to look around the zoo. Khao Kheow Open Zoo has been established for 60 years. The Khao Kheow Open Zoo is a public zoo. This zoo has also been developed over times in order to attract visitors more and to compete with other zoos and upcoming zoos in Asia.
Shopping
Although Pattaya floating market is a new built market opened to the public in last 4 years. But it is built in the amazing traditional way. Most of the shops are made of wood; this atmosphere can make you feel like you go back to the ancient time. In Thai language this market is called “Talad Nam Si Pak”. It means four region floating market. Discover some 75 shops offering elegant traditional Thai craftworks, clothing, antiques and many eating places. Park up in a neighboring field or in the 500 space car park, if you can find a space, cross the bridge and enter this maze of cosy wooden Thai buildings.
Food
If you are on at Chonburi tour and you haven’t tasted the local food of Chonburi, then your tour to Chonburi cannot be complete. The food of Chonburi has an appeal to the taste buds that is irresistible and for a good reason. The seafood of Chonburi is also a delight to savor for the guests since it is freshly prepared and offered in the authentic Thai style. Street vendors in Chonburi operate under confined but pretty hygienic conditions, and this is where you'll find the cheapest food of Chonburi. Grilled and fried chicken, corn-on-the-cob, and kebabs are among the favorites of the delicacies that are served. There are countless food stalls on the street at night.
Night-life
Girls, shows, bar games, and competing stereos all combine to raise the blood pressure in one huge party zone from Soi 13 to Soi 16 in South Pattaya. Closed to traffic during the evening the area becomes the famous Walking Street, where a go-go's, discos, massage parlors and dozens of bar-beers compete with each other for your immediate attention. These marvelous lands of nightlife are still waiting for your visiting.
This is just a glimpse of what Chonburi has to offer. For more information please visit the Tourism Authority office in Bangna-Trad Avenue.
