Situated on the banks of the Chanthaburi River, the town of Chanthaburi is the capital of the Chanthaburi Province which is located in Eastern Thailand. The Province of Chanthaburi hosts a number of national parks and is well known for its gem mining trade. In the town itself, there is much to see and much to do for it is home to the largest church in the country, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, a number of golf courses such as that located within the Chatrium Golf Resort Soi Dao and sights that can be seen while on walking tours around the Old Town. Furthermore, a stay at a Chanthaburi resort is grossly incomplete without a visit to the Old Town of Chanthaburi.
Most cities and towns boast of an ‘Old Town’. In Europe, for instance, towns such as Wetzlar in Germany give visitors an insight into how the architecture of the area used to be. In South East Asia, the ancient town of Hoi An provides a similar insight. Therefore, when visiting Chanthaburi, making an effort to see the old town is unlikely to be regretted. Also known as the Chanthaboon Old Town, upon first glance it may look uninviting as it is quite rundown, but the town still retains some of its charm and provides a valuable insight into the history of the area.
As you walk along the Sukhapiban Road, you will be greeted with a street of buildings with classic Sino-European architecture; a reminder of days past when the French controlled the area. The Old Town is also riddled with numerous alleyways and offshoots from the main road, and exploring them can prove to be a treat. As you stroll through the town, make it a point to stop at some of the street side vendors and sample the local delicacies. Delicious dishes such as deep fried lotus leaves, sticky rice, banh-mi style rolls can be consumed galore in true street food fashion. For a quick pick-me-up, opt for some fresh fruit as well.
Enjoy the sights, architecture and quirky décor of the old town, and make sure you take a camera with you to capture its charm forever.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
