Chachoengsao is a province in Eastern Thailand, not far from Bangkok City. Mueang Chachoengsao, or Chachoengsao town, also called Mueang Paet Riu by locals, is the capital of the province. Planning a trip to Chachoengsao in Thailand? This detailed Chachoengsao travel guide with travel tips will help you discover the city and its best things to do.
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Chachoengsao, which is about 60 kilometers from Bangkok, is another province to visit in Thailand because there are many unexpected hidden places.
Chachoengsao Province is divided into 11 districts: Mueang Chachoengsao District, Bang Khla District, Bang Nam Priao District, Bang Pakong District, Ban Pho District, Phanom Sarakham District, Sanam Chai Khet District, Plaeng Yao District, Ratchasan District, Tha Takiap District, and Khlong Khuean District.
The name "Chachoengsao" is assumed to have come from the Khmer language word, which means “deep canal”. Chachoengsao appears for the first time in the royal annals of the Ayutthaya period as the old city since the reign of King Borommatrailokkanat until the reign of King Naresuan the Great which used the town to gather troops and also used to be a frontier town.
Chachoengsao is distinguished by being the old town of Bang Pakong waterfront, which has Luang Por Sothon Temple, or Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan, as the center of faith for Thai people.
Natural resources in Chachoengsao are considered to be rich in life. The main forest area is Khao Ang Ruenai Wildlife Sanctuary which is the last habitat of freshwater crocodiles in Thailand. The estuary of the Bang Pakong River is the place where many dolphins can be spotted every year during November-January.
The provincial slogan is “The Bountiful Bang Pakong River, the Sacred Buddha Image of Luangpho Sothon, Phraya Si Sunthon the Scholar of Thai Language, and the Pristine Ang Rue Nai Forest”.
Things to do in Chachoengsao
There are many interesting attractions in Chachoengsao town and province, including important temples and wonderful natural and cultural attractions.
Luang Pho Sothon Temple
Sothon Wararam Worawihan Temple, also known as Luang Pho Sothon Temple, is an old temple that is invaluable to Chachoengsao. It has the most important Buddha image of the province, known as Luangpho Phutthasothon, which is worshiped by the Paet Riu people and visitors around Thailand. It is located on Maruphong Road, about 2 kilometers from the central market.
Wat Saman Rattanaram Temple
Wat Saman Rattanaram Temple is another temple where people are flowing to worship and pay homage to the Ganesha statue, the god of success, which is said to be the biggest in Thailand. Wat Saman Rattanaram Temple is located in the Bang Khla district of Chachoengsao, alongside the Bang Pakong River.
Shrine of Ganesha in Khlong Khuean National Park
This Ganesha is called "Ganesha, standing on the bronze, fulfilling the purpose", and it was built for the purpose of creation to promote tourism in Chachoengsao and Thailand. It also promotes career development, selling crop products, and creating local jobs. The total height of the statue, including the base, is 39 meters, and it is considered to be the largest bronze Ganesha image in the world.
Wat Pong Agas
Wat Pong Agas is famous for the Lord Ganesha sitting on a large pedestal. Many famous Buddha statues, such as Luang Pho Sothon, Luang Pho Wat Ban Laem, Luang Pho To, Luang Pho Wat Rai Khing, and Luang Pho Wat Khao Takrao, are temporarily brought to this temple for the people to worship.
100-Year Baan Mai Market
Baan Mai Market or 100 Year Baan Mai Market is a famous antique market in the town. The market has a genuine retro atmosphere because it is set up in an ancient Thai-Chinese community that has been in existence for more than 100 years. The market is located on the bank of the Bang Pakong River. This market is set up on land, unlike the floating markets in the central region.
For more information about this famous local market, check here: 100 Year Baan Mai Market in Chachoengsao.
100-Year Khlong Suan Market
100 Year Khlong Suan Market is a popular attraction among tourists. In fact, this market is located nearby a boundary between Ban Pho Subdistrict in Chachoengsao Province and Bang Bo District in Samut Prakan. The villages in that area are called "Khlong Suan Market".
The market is visited on this Chachoengsao Tour from Bangkok.
Bang Khla Floating Market
Bang Khla Floating Market is a new floating market that was set up to promote the tourism of Chachoengsao. This place was launched in early 2008 and supported by the Municipality of Bang Khla. Bang Khla Floating Market is open every Saturday and Sunday, from 08:00 to 17:00.
Khum Wiman Din
"Khum Wiman Din" is the name that is hardly known even by most of the local people. Khum Wiman Din is a source of production and distribution of various kinds of clay pottery. This place is worth coming to, as it is where you will see clay items and lovely handmade works in a resort atmosphere.
Suan Palm Farm Nok
Suan Palm Farm Nok is the largest parrot park in Thailand with an area of more than 100 rai of land. It was built to be a learning center and conservation of macaw parrot species, but they also house beautiful birds of various species.
Mini Murah Farm
Mini Murah Farm is a dairy farm located in Ban Pho District. It is a fun land for children because there are many animals for children to see and play with. There are also various workshops, such as pizza making, milk making, ice making, gardening, etc.
Where to stay in Chachoengsao
While most travelers choose to visit Chachoengsao on a day trip from Bangkok, you can find plenty of affordable accommodations in the town to stay overnight.
The best place to stay in the city is the center. Accommodations in the city center can be found here: Hotels in Chachoengsao City Center.
One of the best-rated hotels in the city is JK LIVING Hotel and Service Apartment, which is well recommended.
To get the best deal on accommodation, make sure to compare hotel deals on Booking.com with often better special offers on Agoda.
How to get to Chachoengsao
You can get to Chachoengsao from Bangkok independently by train, bus, or minivan. Otherwise, you can make it simpler and join a day tour.
Day tour to Chachoengsao
You can join this Chachoengsao Tour and Bang Pakong River Cruise from Bangkok to explore beautiful Buddhist temples, including a cruise along the Bang Pakong River by long-tail boat, and visit the traditional Khlong Suan market with a delicious local lunch at a restaurant.
Bus to Chachoengsao
Buses from Bangkok Eastern Bus Terminal to Chachoengsao operate from 05:00 to 21:30.
Air-conditioned buses depart every half hour from Mo Chit Bus Terminal to Chachoengsao (via the motorway route) from 05:20 to 18:00. The journey takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Buses from Mo Chit Bus Terminal to Chachoengsao also operate via the Minburi route with departures every half hour from 05:00 to 21:30.
Minivan to Chachoengsao
There are many minivan services between Bangkok and Chachoengsao available:
Minivans from Mochit Minivan Station depart every 20 minutes, from 05:00 to 19:00.
Minivans from Ekkamai Bus Terminal depart every 40 minutes, from 05:00 to 20:00.
Minivan tickets can be booked online here: Minivan from Bangkok to Chachoengsao.
Train to Chachoengsao
There are trains departing from Hua Lamphong Railway Station to Chachoengsao every day, 12 times a day. The first train departs Bangkok Train Station at 05:55, and the last one is scheduled to leave at 18:50. The journey by train takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes. Train tickets can only be purchased at the station.
By private car
From Bangkok to Chachoengsao, it is possible to travel in 3 directions:
- By taking Highway 304 (Bangkok-Min Buri-Chachoengsao), the distance is 75 km.
- By taking Highway 34 (Bang Na – Trat Road), then turning into Highway 314 (Bang Pakong-Chachoengsao), the distance is 90 km.
- By taking Highway 3 (via Samut Prakan - Bang Pakong) and then turning into Highway 314, the distance is 100 km.
Private taxis can be booked online here: Taxi from Bangkok to Chachoengsao.
Different transportation options can be compared, and transport tickets can be booked with the help of this search form.
Getting around Chachoengsao
By public transportation (songtaew)
There are different lines of colored songtaews running around the city as the only means of public transportation in Chachoengsao. The price is fixed for 8 baht throughout the route. Most of songtaew routes start/end or at least pass through the main city market area.
Routes of public transportation in Chachoengsao:
- Yellow - from/to the train and bus stations, passes Wat Sothorn
- White - from the main city market towards Bang Kaew district
- Blue - from the road in front of Wat Sothorn to the city market
- Red - from the market, across the river and to Don Thong school area
- Orange - from the market, across the river, and down the highway
By tuk-tuk
There are tuk-tuks waiting at the bus station and train station that can be chartered to various attractions, including Luang Pho Sothon Temple, Khlong Suan Market, Baan Mai Market, and others.
Tuk-tuks can be hailed from anywhere along the streets.
Destinations after Chachoengsao
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and the largest city in the country, with tons of things to do and see, so you can easily spend days or weeks there and not get bored.
Pattaya is another large city nearby, where you can enjoy shopping malls, water parks, infamous nightlife, and beaches just a short van ride from Chachoengsao. Koh Samet is a tranquil island that can be easily reached, and Koh Chang is another island offering a good relaxation from crowds.
You can also travel north to Khao Yai National Park, which is one of the most unique areas to visit in Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima province in the northeast of Thailand. Khao Yai is the name of the national park, covering an area of 2168 square kilometers. Khao Yai is an ideal destination for tourists and locals who want to relax within a natural and peaceful environment.
Tips
Our half-day trip itinerary for visiting Chachoengsao from Bangkok by public transportation can be found here: Half Day Trip to Chachoengsao.
