A large agricultural province, Chon Buri
is rapidly industrialising thanks to the government's Eastern Seaboard
Development Project. However, the province is more famous for its
coastal attractions, having the closest beaches to Bangkok.
Pattaya is Thailand's busiest
beach resort, with a wide range of accommodation, restaurants and
shopping centres lining Pattaya and Jomtien beaches, as well as
a very lively nightlife. It is also one of the country's biggest
diving centres, with high quality dive shops taking clients to offshore
wrecks and coral beds at the nearby islands. There are close to
20 golf courses throughout the province, and you can also go sailing,
windsurfing, go-karting, play tennis, ride elephants or try all
manner of activities on land and sea.
Popular attractions around Pattaya include the offshore islands,
particularly Larn island with its clear waters and coral beds; Khao
Khieo Open Zoo with a wide range of wildlife wandering its 2,000
acres; Si Racha Tiger Farm combines the sights of a tiger-breeding
facility, crocodile farm, scorpion farm and daily performances.
To the south is Nong Nooch Village, a botanical gardens famous
for its orchids and palms, which also puts on daily cultural and
elephant show. Wat Yansangawaram is a royal sponsored temple with
numerous pavilions of different national designs. Highly popular
is the Chinese Pavilion housing antiques and art objects Bang Saray,
a fishing village with numerous good seafood restaurants around
its pier, is the centre of the province's sports fishing activities.
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 How
to get there
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Travelling to Chon Buri
By Car
Chon Buri is a one-hour drive from Bangkok along Highway No.
34 (Bang Na-Trat). Alternatively, taking the Motor Way (new Bangkok-Chon
Buri Route) will reduce travel time.
By Bus
The 1.5-hour journey from Bangkok can be made on regular buses
originating from the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai). Air-conditioned
buses leave Ekkamai every 40 minutes from 5.30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tel:
0 2391 9829. Non air-conditioned buses leave Ekkamai every 30 minutes
from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tel: 0 2391 2504.
There are also air-conditioned buses leaving the Bangkok's Northern
Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal) on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road from
6.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. Call: 0 2936 2852-66 for more information.
In addition, Si Racha Tour, Tel: 0 2936 4029 operates air-conditioned
bus services to Chon Buri and Bang Saen.
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Festivals
& Events
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 Chon
Buri Buffalo Race
Chon Buri Buffalo Race is a long-established celebration of this
most useful animal of Thai farmers. A fun-filled event, it is held
not only in Chon Buri itself but also in Ban Bung and Nong Yai districts.
The beasts of burden are dressed outragerously or with admirable
creativity by owners depending on their imagination. Assembled in
the courtyard in front of the townhall, the buffaloes partake in
racing, or take part in physical fitness and “fashion”
contests.
Chon Buri Red Cross Fair
Chon Buri Red Cross Fair is held about mid-April. There is a Phra
Phutthasihing Procession. Also organized are cultural shows, exhibitons
and stalls offering various types of products.
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