The Rough Guide to Thailand (Travel Guide with Free eBook) by Rough Guides

Author:Rough Guides
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Travel, Thailand
Publisher: Apa Publications
Published: 2023-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chanthaburi

For over five hundred years, the seams of rock rich in sapphires and rubies that streak the hills of eastern Thailand have drawn prospectors and traders of all nationalities to the provincial capital of CHANTHABURI, 80km east of Ban Phe. Many of these hopefuls established permanent homes in the town, including the Shans from Myanmar, the Chinese, the Vietnamese and the Cambodians. Though the veins of precious stones have now been all but exhausted, Chanthaburi’s reputation as a gem centre has continued to thrive and this is still one of the most famous places in Thailand to trade in gems (most of them now imported from Sri Lanka and elsewhere), not least because Chanthaburi is as respected a cutting centre as Bangkok, and Thai lapidaries are considered among the most skilled – and affordable – in the world. Chanthaburi is also an exceptionally fertile province, renowned for its abundance of orchards, particularly durian, rambutan and mangosteen, which are celebrated with an annual fruit festival in the town, held in May or June.

The town is becoming a popular weekend destination for Bangkokians looking to slow down the pace of life, usually by strolling along the atmospheric Chantaboon Waterfront, a wonderfully preserved and regenerated riverside lane, where traditional snack and fruit vendors are found cheek by jowel with craft beer bars and trendy cafés. There are few Western faces to be seen here, but some appealing sleeping and eating options, making it a good spot to get off the beaten track for a while. The nearby Chanthaburi coastline is barely developed for tourism, though it’s popular with Thai visitors for its quiet, shady beaches. Chanthaburi is also a major transit point for east-coast bus services and a handy terminus for buses to and from the northeast.

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