Chantaboon Waterfront Community in Chanthaburi – A melting pot of cultures in Thailand

Are you in search of information on Chantaboon Water Community? Want to know the stories associated with Chantaboon? Looking for places to visit around Chantaboon Water Community and Chanthaburi at large? Fret not! You have come to the right place.

For, we have you covered in this extensive guide on Chataboon Waterfront Community in Chanthaburi.

With European homes, quirky cafes, vibrant street art, and smiling people, the Chantaboon waterfront community in Chanthaburi province of Thailand, can lure any visitor who loves old-world charm.

So, come on a virtual trip to Chantaboon Waterfront Community, and let this guided tour motivate you to include Chanthaburi in your Thailand itinerary.

First tryst with Chantaboon Waterfront Community

As I enter the one kilometer stretch of Chantaboon waterfront community in the Chanthaburi province of Thailand, a smiling old lady welcomes and offers me a local delicacy, wrapped skilfully in a conical shaped leaf.

I politely refuse to accept as I realise that I am not carrying a wallet, to pay for goods. She smiles and is least offended.

She then generously goes on to show me other eatables on offer at her shop, and offers me to sample a few for free!

As I walk further, I realize that every other shop with an extended house inside or above, had one or two elderly people sitting behind a desk — working on their accounts, stock lists, or waiting for a potential customer with eager eyes and a smile on their lips.

The people crisscrossing the street on their bikes bring about a touch of modernity to this otherwise laid back and sleepy street that has been given a new lease of life in recent years.

History of the trading port of Chantaboon in Chantaburi

A brief history of Chantaboon before we tread further…

The Thais were originally into farming and agriculture, while the Chinese and Vietnamese who passed by this area were traders and merchants.

However, the Vietnamese have been regulars in Chantaburi Thailand since the Ayutthaya period.

Understanding the interest and requirement of these traders, the locals started trading in pepper, wildlife hides and scented woods. But they traded majorly in rubber and timber.

Thus, the once laid back port of Chantaboon turned into a major trading and transportation hub — with many Chinese, and Vietnamese traders settling here, and living in harmony along with the local people.

As I discovered, Chantaburi is still famous for its pepper. You can find shops selling these peppercorns in cute little bottles.

The rise, fall, and resurgence of Chantaboon Waterfront Community

The Chanthaboon waterfront community was formed over three centuries ago, during the reign of King Narai, along the banks of the River Mae Nam Chantaburi.

The community street stretched from Tha Luang Bridge to the Catholic Church, and was known as Yaowarat or Chinatown of Chantaburi.

Recognising the importance of this community, King Rama V ordered the construction of the first road in Chanthaburi that passes through the Chantaboon community called Sukhapiban Road.

The French occupied Chantaboon in the early 1920s, and left behind some European styled buildings — as remnants alongside the wooden Thai homes and Vietnamese homes made of bricks.

The place had lost its importance in modern times, however, everything started to change for the better in the year 2009. When the Thai government came up with a plan to preserve the old community of Chanthaboon by allocating a budget for its restoration and preservation.

Chinese shrine in Chantaboon Waterfront Community

The Chantaboon Waterfront Community road is adorned with colonial homes, Chinese shrines, cafes, and centuries-old shop-homes.

I could not visit the church due to a paucity of time , but I did take a stroll along the Sukhapiban Road, and, visited the Chinese Shrine of ‘Chao Mae Kuan Im‘, that beautifully captures the essence of this vintage place.

Chanthaburi gemstone market

Another interesting fact about Chantaboon and Chanthaburi that not many know is : together with the neighbouring province of Trat, and the region around Pailin [across the border in Cambodia], Chanthaburi used to be an important source of gemstones, especially rubies and sapphires.

Taking advantage of its prime location next to the Chanthaburi River, the community gradually grew from a small market into a major commercial hub — where one could buy everything including gems and jewellery.

It’s known as the Chanthaburi gemstone market.

I also found a workshop involved in gem-stone cutting in the alleys of the Chantaboon community. The lapidary was engrossed in his work, and I didn’t want to disturb him for sure.

Trivia

The statue of Mother Mary, which stands within the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception of Virgin Mary is adorned with hundreds of Rubies and 300,000 Sapphires, that has its origins in Chanthaburi and Kanchanaburi province, as well as Sri Lanka.

Things to do at the Chantaboon Waterfront Community

As I took a stroll in the bylanes of the Chantaboon community, I realized that doorways and windows of its colonial buildings speak volumes of a rich multicultural legacy of yore.

The best way to discover the town’s Thai, French, and Vietnamese influences is undoubtedly walking in its alleys, sample local cuisines, and savour some bakery treats and coffee in the chic coffee outlets.

Take a peek into the uber cafes many of which are quirkily decorated yet look stylish.

You may also want to read about Places to see in Thailand 

As I explored, I realized that the shop-homes were not very organized and gave away the laid-back nature of the residents. I guess this is what attracts the tourists who flock the Chantaboon waterfront community in large numbers on weekends from Bangkok and other places.

With the help of the government, pouring tourists and well-wishers in the community, the Chantaboon Waterfront community has become a sustainable tourist town in the Chantaburi province. Located approximately 250 km east of Bangkok and just under 50 km from the Cambodian border, it makes for an ideal stopover destination en route Cambodia from Thailand by road.

Many of the restaurants and shop-homes in Chantaburi, preserve and display antique and everyday items with pride… You may also want to visit the Kru Kung Museum in the Rayong province if you are fond of vintage items.

I fell in love with the laid-back attitude of the place and it brought back fond memories of my Kerala trip and the stroll along the streets of Fort Kochi which is another melting pot of cultures in India!

Best time to visit Chantaburi

The Chantaboon Waterfront community organizes a three-day event dubbed as Colours Of Yesteryear In Chanthaboon Waterfront Community, each year around October, to show off the rich legacy of this place.

The event is held along Sukhaphiban Road, and features performances, apart from hundreds of stalls that sell local cuisines and snacks, hand-made products, clothes, and fashion accessories.

I honestly think that this should be the best time to visit the community as well the Chantaburi province —to soak in the history, culture and festivity of the place. Also, a great time to plan a trip to the islands off the east coast of Thailand like Koh Samui and Phuket. Do check out this detailed guide that compares the islands of Koh Samui and Phuket, before planning a visit. Also, refer to this post on planning 7 days in Phuket.

You may also want to read: Bangkok Food Trail undertook by a co-blogger and also refer to the Ultimate Bangkok Guide put together by another wonderful blogger.

I hope to visit the Chantaboon Waterfront community again and explore this place of contradictions and stories at leisure!

Leaving you all with some more captures of the Chantaburi province and Chantaboon Waterfront Community…

I hope you liked this photo tour of the Chantaboon waterfront community in Chanthaburi, Thailand. Do leave your valuable comments 🙂

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Disclaimer: My visit to the Chantaboon Waterfront community in Chanthaburi was made possible by TAT Delhi and Amazing Thailand through a Media Trip. However, the views expressed in this article are solely mine. I have tried to share authentic information gathered through research, interactions with locals, and my tourist guide, to the best of my knowledge.