Chanthaboon Waterfront Community

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Hugging the banks of Mae Nam Chanthaburi, this charismatic area is filled with restored houses and elderly residents who sit around reminiscing about old Chanthaburi. The Learning House displays neighbourhood photos, paintings and architectural designs, including upstairs drawings of intricate ventilation panels that feature Chinese characters and French fleurs-de-lis.

Around 300 years ago, farmers and merchants started trading alongside the river, which provided easy transport links. Later, Chinese and Vietnamese traders and refugees came to the area. Today the 1km-long street scene still includes many private homes, but the emerging art galleries, coffee shops and snack stalls entice visiting Thais at weekends.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Chanthaboon Learning House

0.07 MILES

This traditional house in the heart of the waterside district has some interesting old and new photographs of the area, as well as a small garden and shop…

2. Gem Market

0.18 MILES

Every weekend, the normally quiet streets near Th Si Chan (or 'Gem Road') burst into life as gem traders arrive to bustle and bargain. It's incongruously…

4. Wat Phai Lom

0.39 MILES

Begun in the early 18th century, this sizeable complex features a high, ornate ordination hall with fresco decoration and another building with an…

5. Clock Tower

0.56 MILES

This simple clock tower is near King Taksin Park.

6. Chanthaburi Lak Meuang Shrine

0.59 MILES

This popular shrine holds the lak meuang (pillar of the city), which people adorn with gold leaf. The pillar has both symbolic and spiritual significance…

7. King Taksin Park

0.7 MILES

The town’s main oasis fills with joggers and picnicking families. It’s a pleasant spot for an evening stroll; there's a lake, an island centred on a…

8. Namtok Phlio National Park

7.5 MILES

The popularity of this national park is evidenced by the food stalls lining the road to the entrance. A pleasant short nature trail loops around…