| General Information
Famous for its abundance of tropical fruits and as a centre of gems, the eastern province of Chanthaburi is also blessed with rich, verdant forests with scenic waterfalls. The Chanthaburi River flows through the town which has been the home of ancient communities. Quiet fishing villages and peaceful beaches are not far from town. Chanthaburi was occupied by the French during the early part of the20th century. Their influence can be seen in the architecture of many buildings including the largest Catholic cathedral in Thailand, catering to a sizeable Christian population. About 245 kilometres from Bangkok and covering an area of 6,338 square kilometers, Chanthaburi as administratively divided into the following districts:- Mueang Chanthaburi, Tha Mai, Khlung, Laem Sing, Pong Nam Ron, Makham, Soi Dao, Na Yai Am, Kang Hang Maeo and Khao Khitchakut sub-district. How to get there
Car
From Bangkok, take Highway No. 34 (Bang Na-Trat) or Motorway to Chonburi, then use Highway No. 344 (Ban Bung-Klaeng) and proceed to Chanthaburi along Highway No. 3. Bus
Both air-conditioned and non air-conditioned buses depart from Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) to Chanthaburi every hour from 4 a.m.-midnight. For more information, contact Transport Co. Ltd at Tel: 0 2391 2504; Choet Chai Tour Tel: 0 2391 4146; Phonnipha Tour Tel: 0 2391 5179. Festivals
Fruit Festival
Annually held in May, the fair aims to promote local products and various kinds of fruit grown in the province. The fair features exhibitions on agricultural innovations as well as agricultural products. Stalls selling local crafts, jewellery, food products and seafood make the fair fun to visit. Besides, visitors get to see how famous local products such as preserved durian are made; or they can have a good time watching a fruit contest and a beauty contest. Central to the fair is a procession of cars lavishly laden with the famous fruit of Chanthaburi heading along the road to the venue.
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