Chanthaburi is best known for its gem markets and fruit orchards, but this corner of eastern Thailand also has a quieter, greener side. Forested mountains, national parks, waterfalls and mangrove-lined coast make it a great choice for travellers who want to slow down without going too far from Bangkok. The setting you choose dictates the whole stay, whether that means waking up to mountain air or drifting through the mangroves. Drawing on reviews and features from travel and tourism sources, this guide looks at places to stay in Chanthaburi where nature takes centre stage.
Chatrium Golf Resort Soi Dao Chanthaburi
“Ensconced in pristine jungles and beautifully adorned with colorful flora.” (The A Position)
Golf and travel writer Robert Fagan, writing for The A Position, describes Chatrium Golf Resort Soi Dao Chanthaburi as a tropical oasis of natural jungle greenery. It is about four hours’ drive from Bangkok and 45 minutes from Chanthaburi town. The resort borders the Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, Khao Khitchakut National Park and the 16-tier Khao Soi Dao waterfall. Its 18-hole course, designed by Denis Griffiths, spreads across 395 acres beneath the Khao Soi Dao mountains. Even for non-golfers, the setting is the real draw. Fagan writes about fresh air, blue skies and an unusual silence broken only by the sounds of nature. On the course he heard the distant roar of a wild elephant and spotted hundreds of monkeys watching from the trees. With just 47 rooms close to the restaurant and course, the resort feels intimate, and the surrounding area offers birdwatching and hiking. There is no nightlife nearby, which is exactly the point. Chatrium’s own Soi Dao Temple Trail Escape package also pairs a stay with visits to local temples and includes bicycle hire for exploring the area. For travellers looking into the best nature retreats in Chanthaburi, it brings together mountain scenery, wildlife and calm in one place.
Faasai Resort and Spa
“Harmony and balance between people and nature.” (TravelDailyNews)
Faasai Resort and Spa sits near Kung Wiman, a fishing village on Chanthaburi’s coast. The Tourism Authority of Thailand recognised it as Best Small Hotel in its Green Awards. TravelDailyNews reported that the resort was built around nature-based tourism and close ties with the local community. One of its projects was developing a nearby wetland area with freshwater springs and a wide variety of local plants. The owners also described how local families, who mainly live off the land and sea, earn extra income from eco-minded visitors. The resort’s quote above sums up its approach. It’s a small, low-key place that suits travellers who want a peaceful coastal base and like the idea of their stay supporting the community around them.
Rattanaburi Chanthaburi Homestay & Resort
“Float along the canal on a raft and admire the lush mangrove forest.” (Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau)
For a more hands-on stay, the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau highlights Rattanaburi Chanthaburi Homestay, a community stay where the main activity is drifting by raft along a canal through mangrove forest out towards the sea. Visitors can help plant mangrove saplings in front of the homestay, which form a natural barrier and a habitat for sea creatures, or join clean-ups along the canal. Red-backed sea eagles can often be spotted overhead, and there is time for a swim between activities. Phlio Waterfall, the Chanthaburi Horticultural Research Center and Laem Singh Beach are all nearby, so it’s easy to fill a few days with time outdoors. It suits travellers who want a simple stay in nature and a stay that gives something back to the local environment.
Conclusion
Chanthaburi is perfect for travellers who seek more than towns and markets. A mountain resort bordering a wildlife sanctuary, an eco-minded retreat near a fishing village and a community homestay among the mangroves each offer their own kind of green quiet. The right choice will depend on whether you picture forest trails, a peaceful stretch of coast or a raft gliding through the mangroves. Whichever you choose, the province makes it easy to trade city noise for fresh air and a slower pace.