Chanthaburi

Eastern Thailand's city of gems and fruit, with a riverside old quarter, a French-style cathedral and a weekend gem market, plus waterfalls and coastline nearby for day trips.

Chanthaburi is the capital of Chanthaburi Province in eastern Thailand, about 245 km from Bangkok, with the Cardamom Mountains (toward Cambodia) to the north and the Gulf of Thailand to the south. Known as Thailand's "City of Gems" and "Fruit Capital", it has traded rubies and sapphires for more than a century and leads the country in durian, mangosteen and rambutan production. Historically, King Taksin used it as his base to restore the kingdom, and it was occupied by France for 11 years in the late 19th century, giving it a blend of Chinese, Vietnamese, French and Thai cultures. Sightseeing falls into three areas: in town, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the riverside old quarter, the weekend gem market and the King Taksin Shrine are all within walking distance of each other; the mountains to the northeast hold Phlio Waterfall, Khao Khitchakut National Park (with Krathing Waterfall and a mountaintop Buddha footprint open each year from January to March) and Wat Khao Sukim; on the southwest coast you can drive the coastal scenic road past Chao Lao Beach, the mangroves of Kung Krabaen Bay and the Noen Nangphaya viewpoint to the French-era ruins at the Laem Sing river mouth. The best season is November–February, when it's cooler; April–June is fruit season, when you can feast on durian and mangosteen at the orchards; July–October is the rainy season, with the most impressive waterfalls but frequent rain. Buses from Bangkok's Eastern Bus Terminal take about 4–5 hours, or you can drive via Pattaya and Rayong. Sights in town are close together, while those outside town require a hired car or your own vehicle. Allow 2–3 days. Be careful when buying gems and choose dealers who provide certificates of authenticity.

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