Chonburi
ชลบุรี · Chonburi Province
Population
200K
Budget / Month
$430
Internet
120 Mbps
Best Season
November to February (cool and dry)
About Chonburi
Chonburi province stretches along Thailand's eastern seaboard, barely 80 km from Bangkok. While Pattaya dominates the international tourist image, the province offers distinct experiences across its different towns. Bang Saen draws Thai families for weekend beach getaways with excellent seafood stalls. Sriracha, the namesake town of the famous sauce, is a surprisingly pleasant place with a large Japanese expat community and a waterfront temple on a rocky island.
The provincial capital itself is a working Thai city famous for its annual buffalo racing festival held each October. Ang Sila, a charming waterfront community, is known for stone mortar-and-pestle carving and fresh seafood markets. Offshore, Koh Si Chang offers a former royal palace, quiet beaches, and Chinese temples accessible by a short ferry from Sriracha.
Chonburi serves as the gateway to Thailand's Eastern Seaboard industrial zone but balances this with genuine coastal character. The infrastructure is excellent with modern hospitals, fast internet, and frequent transport connections to Bangkok. For those looking beyond the Pattaya party scene, the province rewards exploration with authentic Thai coastal life at a fraction of southern island prices.
Historical Note
Chonburi has been an important coastal trading center for centuries. The province developed rapidly as part of Thailand's Eastern Seaboard industrial program in the 1980s. Pattaya grew from a quiet fishing village to a major resort city after American GIs discovered it during the Vietnam War era.
Best time to visit: November to February (cool and dry)
At a Glance
Thai Name
ชลบุรี
Province
Chonburi
Region
Eastern
Population
200,000
Area
4,363 km²
Elevation
5 m
Postal Code
20000
Airport
UTP
Local Language
Central Thai
Cost of Living
budget
/month15,500 THB
~$430 USD
comfortable
/month32,000 THB
~$889 USD
luxury
/month65,000 THB
~$1,806 USD
food
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Street food meal | 50 | 80 |
| Local restaurant meal | 80 | 150 |
| Western restaurant meal | 200 | 500 |
| Coffee (street stall) | 30 | 45 |
| Coffee (cafe) | 60 | 120 |
| Beer (store) | 60 | 90 |
| Water bottle (1.5L) | 15 | 20 |
| Fresh fruit shake | 40 | 60 |
accommodation
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel/guesthouse | 300 | 800 |
| Mid-range hotel | 800 | 2,500 |
| Luxury hotel | 2,500 | 6,000 |
transport
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Songthaew ride | 10 | 30 |
| Motorbike rental (day) | 200 | 350 |
utilities
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| SIM card (tourist) | 200 | 400 |
entertainment
| Item | Low (THB) | High (THB) |
|---|---|---|
| Thai massage (1 hour) | 200 | 400 |
Internet & Connectivity
Speed Test Averages
vs Bangkok Average (200 Mbps)
60% of Bangkok speed
Providers
Coworking Spaces
5
Weather & Climate
November to February for the coolest, driest weather. June to October is rainy season. October is best for the buffalo racing festival.
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain (mm) | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32 | 22 | 10 | 65% |
| Feb | 33 | 23 | 20 | 65% |
| Mar | 34 | 25 | 35 | 68% |
| Apr | 35 | 26 | 60 | 70% |
| May | 34 | 26 | 140 | 75% |
| Jun | 33 | 26 | 120 | 74% |
| Jul | 33 | 25 | 120 | 74% |
| Aug | 33 | 25 | 130 | 75% |
| Sep | 32 | 25 | 200 | 78% |
| Oct | 32 | 24 | 200 | 78% |
| Nov | 32 | 24 | 60 | 70% |
| Dec | 31 | 22 | 15 | 65% |
Things to Do
Bang Saen Beach
หาดบางแสน
Popular Thai family beach with seafood stalls, calmer and more local than Pattaya. Great for a day trip from Bangkok.
Koh Si Chang Island
เกาะสีชัง
Quiet island off Sriracha coast with Rama V's abandoned summer palace, Chinese temple, and peaceful beaches.
Ang Sila Old Fishing Village
อ่างศิลา
Charming waterfront community famous for stone mortar-and-pestle carving and a fresh seafood market.
Khao Kheow Open Zoo
สวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว
Large open-air zoo in a forested hill setting with night safari options. Good for families.
Chonburi Buffalo Racing Festival
งานประเพณีวิ่งควาย
Water buffalo races through muddy tracks in the city center each October, celebrating the end of the rice harvest.
Wat Khao Phra Bat
วัดเขาพระบาท
Hilltop temple with panoramic views over Chonburi city and the coastline.
Sriracha Waterfront & Koh Loy
เกาะลอย
Walk to Koh Loy island temple from Sriracha's waterfront. Explore the Japanese quarter and waterfront restaurants.
Food & Dining
หอยทอด
Hoy Tod (Crispy Mussel Pancake)
Chonburi's signature dish: crispy egg batter loaded with fresh mussels from Bang Saen, served with bean sprouts and chili sauce.
60-100
Bang Saen seafood stalls
ข้าวหลาม
Khao Lam (Bamboo Sticky Rice)
Sweet sticky rice with coconut milk and black beans cooked inside bamboo tubes. Sold at roadside stalls throughout the province.
20-40
Roadside stalls along highways
ปลากะพงนึ่งมะนาว
Pla Krapong Neung Manao
Ultra-fresh whole sea bass steamed with garlic, chili, and lime. A Gulf coast specialty.
150-300
Ang Sila and Bang Saen seafood restaurants
กุ้งแม่น้ำ
Kung Mae Nam (River Prawns)
Giant freshwater prawns grilled over charcoal. Spectacular at Chonburi's seafood restaurants.
200-500
Bang Saen and Ang Sila restaurants
Night Markets
- Bang Saen Night Market
- Chonburi Night Market
Food Streets
- Bang Saen beachfront seafood stalls
- Ang Sila waterfront
Accommodation
Hostel Dorm
200 - 500
THB / night
Budget Hotel
300 - 800
THB / night
Mid-Range
800 - 2,500
THB / night
Luxury
2,500 - 6,000
THB / night
Studio /mo
6,000 - 12,000
THB / night
1BR /mo
8,000 - 18,000
THB / night
Best Areas for Tourists
Best Areas for Long Stay
Booking Tip
Pattaya has the widest choice. Sriracha is quieter and well-connected. Bang Saen is cheaper and more local. Book via Agoda for best Thai hotel prices.
Getting There from Bangkok
U-Tapao International Airport
Airport Code: UTP
Bus from Ekkamai
1.5-2 hours
100-150 THB
Self-drive (Motorway 7)
1-1.5 hours
Toll ~100 THB
Minivan
1.5 hours
120-180 THB
Getting Around
Songthaew
WidespreadShared pickup truck networks in each town.
10-30
Grab
Tourist areas onlyAvailable in Pattaya. Limited elsewhere.
60-150
Motorbike rental
WidespreadMost common personal transport for exploring the province.
200-350/day
Neighborhoods
Bang Saen
Young, local, casualLocal Thai beach town with Burapha University giving it a young vibe. Weekend seafood market is excellent.
Best for: Authentic beach life without the tourist circus
Sriracha
Clean, international, livableCosmopolitan small city with a large Japanese community. Clean, walkable waterfront with Japanese and Thai seafood restaurants.
Best for: Quiet expat living and authentic food
Chonburi City
Local, commercial, unpretentiousThe provincial capital, largely ignored by tourists. An authentic working Thai city with morning markets and local temples.
Best for: Authentic Thai life and the buffalo racing festival
Festivals & Events
Chonburi Buffalo Racing Festival
งานประเพณีวิ่งควาย
Water buffalo races through muddy tracks celebrating the end of the rice harvest. A uniquely Thai spectacle.
Pattaya International Music Festival
Free outdoor concerts on multiple stages along the beach featuring Thai and international artists.
Wan Lai Festival
วันไหล
Pattaya's extended Songkran celebration with water fights along Beach Road, beauty pageants, and parades.
Practical Info
Hospital
InternationalBangkok Hospital Pattaya
Best SIM Provider
AIS or TRUE
ATM Availability
Everywhere
Language Tip
English widely spoken in Pattaya tourist areas. Minimal English in Chonburi city, Bang Saen, and Sriracha.
Drinking Water
Do not drink tap water. Bottled or filtered water everywhere.
Tipping Culture
Not expected locally; some tourist areas in Pattaya expect tips
7-Eleven Density
Everywhere
Emergency Numbers
Tourist police 1155, Emergency 191
Day Trips
Koh Larn (Coral Island)
Cleaner beaches than the mainland with snorkeling and seafood. 45-minute ferry from Pattaya.
Koh Si Chang
Historic island off Sriracha with Rama V's abandoned summer palace and Chinese temple.
Rayong Fruit Orchards
Seasonal fruit farm tours with durian, rambutan, and mangosteen during May to July.
Nearby Cities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chonburi just Pattaya?
No. Pattaya is one city within a large province. Bang Saen, Sriracha, Ang Sila, and Chonburi city all have distinct characters and are worth exploring independently.
What is Bang Saen like compared to Pattaya?
Much more local and Thai. Cheaper, fewer foreigners, better seafood markets. The beach is not as pretty but the atmosphere is more authentic.
Why do Japanese people live in Sriracha?
Large Japanese automotive and manufacturing companies operate in the nearby Amata and Eastern Seaboard industrial estates. Sriracha has a well-established Japanese community.
Is the Sriracha sauce from Sriracha?
The original Si Racha sauce (Sriraja Panich brand) is indeed from this town. The famous American Huy Fong brand was inspired by it but is made in California.
Can I get to Chonburi without a car?
Yes. Frequent buses from Bangkok's Ekkamai terminal plus minivans. Grab works in Pattaya. Songthaews cover local routes.
When is the buffalo racing festival?
Usually mid-October, tied to the end of Buddhist Lent and the rice harvest. Exact dates vary yearly.