Chonburi

Chonburi (Thai: ชลบุรี, rtgs: Chon Buri,  [tɕ͡ʰōn bū.rīː], is a province (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, and Rayong. To the west is the Gulf of Thailand. Chonburi is home to Thailand's largest tourist oriented city, Pattaya (also spelled Phatthaya), it is the only province outside the Bangkok Metropolitan Area to connect by eight lane motorway to Bangkok, 80 km distant. It is home to Thailand's largest and primary seaport, it has a thriving migrant and expat population. Due to these factors, the province's population is growing rapidly, with currently some 1.7 million residents (albeit with a large floating or unregistered population). The registered population as of 31 December 2012 was 1.36 million

History

From historical evidence, Mueang Chonburi has been settled since sometime during the Ayutthaya period of Thai history. The region for centuries was one of small towns such as Bang Sai, Bang Pla Soi, and Bang Phra. King Rama V combined these to form Chonburi Province.

Attractions

Wat Khao Phra Phutthabat Bang Sai (วัดเขาพระพุทธบาทบางทราย) Inside the mondop, a square building with a crown-like cupola, resides the Buddha's footprint. From the end of the fourth lunar month to the second day of the fifth month during the period of the waxing moon, there is a tradition that people pay their respects to the Buddha's footprint.

Wat Yai Inthraram (วัดใหญ่อินทราราม) is a temple of Mueang Chonburi, influenced by late-Ayutthaya architectural style. The ubosot was built in its gunwale curved base and inside displays mural paintings.

Phra Phutthaishing Shrine (หอพระพุทธสิหิงค์) The shrine houses a replica of the Phra Phutthaishing cast in pure silver.

Wat Thammanimit (วัดธรรมนิมิตต์) was constructed in 1941 and is a place where the Phra Phutthamongkhon Nimit Buddha image resides. It is a concrete Buddha image decorated with mosaic tiles in the Boarding a Boat posture.

Wihan Thep Sathit Phra Kitti Chaloem or Nacha Sa Thai Chue Shrine (วิหารเทพสถิตพระกิติเฉลิม หรือ ศาลเจ้าหน่าจาซาไท้จื้อ) is a Chinese shrine. It is a four-storey building decorated in Chinese architectural art and housing Chinese deities.

Khao Sam Muk (เขาสามมุข) is a hillock between Ang Sila and Bang Saen Beach, along the road, facing the seashore. A habitat of scores of wild monkeys, the hill-top view descends on the Bang Saen Beach.

The Marine Scientific Institute (สถาบันวิทยาศาสตร์ทางทะเล) A modern aquarium at Burapha University at Bang Saen Beach.

Bang Saen Beach (หาดบางแสน) is a holiday beach 14 kilometres from the provincial town. In 1943, the government built the first holiday resort in the country here. It is now under the supervision of Saen Suk Municipal Administration.

Laem Thaen (แหลมแท่น) is in the area of Bang Saen Beach near Khao Sam Muk. It is a cape reaching out to the sea where restaurants are situated. People go fishing in the area. A big part of Laem Thaen has been constructed over the sea. The area is used for festivities like concerts, markets and during Friday and Saturday evenings the "Bangsaen Walking" street. Big events like Bangsaen Bikeweek are also centered around this area.

Khao Kheow Open Zoo (สวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว) is a zoo operated by the Zoological Garden Organization and covers a vast tract of forestland. There are more than 200 species of wildlife living there. They include both domestic and imported species.

Ko Sichang (เกาะสีชัง) is 12 kilometers off the shore of Si Racha. It is the large island of Sichang offering mountain and sea views. Ko Sichang has served as a cargo station since the early days of the country's trading history. It is the site of a summer palace built during the reign of King Rama V.

Chao Pho Khao Yai Shrine (ศาลเจ้าพ่อเขาใหญ่) revered by both Thai and Chinese worshippers. From here the front side of the island with a panoramic view of Sichang can be seen.

Mondop atop Buddha's Footprint (มณฑปรอยพระพุทธบาท) King Rama V had a footprint replica installed on top of Khaya Sira Hill.

Khao Khat Pass and Hat Hin Klom (ช่องเขาขาดและหาดหินกลม) The name of "Hat Hin Klom" comes from the rounded rocks on the beach which have been rounded by the westerly wind from March to September.

Phra Chuthathut Ratchathan (พระจุฑาธุชราชฐาน) King Rama V had it built in 1892 as a holiday retreat and a convalescence home for his wives and children. Residential quarters, lawns, pools, and swamps ascending from the beach up to the top of the hill, alternated with frangipani trees (Plumeria acuminata).

Ko Thai Khangkhao (เกาะท้ายค้างคาว) is a small island on the southern side of Ko Sichang where there is a sandy beach and coral.

Sanctuary of Truth (ปราสาทสัจธรรม) is a large wooden structure by the sea at Laem Ratchawet, North Pattaya. The Sanctuary of Truth was built in 1981 by Mr. Lek Wiriyaphan, the founder of the Ancient City in Samut Prakan Province.

Ko Lan (เกาะล้าน) is an island 7.5 kilometres from south Pattaya. It has beaches with white sand and clear water on the west side of the island.

Ko Sak (เกาะสาก) Six hundred metres north of Ko Lan is Ko Sak, a small island shaped like an upturned horseshoe. There are two connecting beaches to the north and south.

Mu Ko Phai (หมู่เกาะไผ่) is 23 kilometres from Pattaya beach and includes Ko Phai, Ko Man Wichai, Ko Lueam and Ko Klueng Badan. Ko Phai is the largest and is under the supervision of the Royal Thai Navy.

Anek Kuson Sala (Wihan Sian) (เอนกกุศลศาลา (วิหารเซียน)) is a place showing Chinese architecture and fine arts constructed in 1987 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the king's birthday.

Wat Yanasangwararam Woramahawihan (วัดญาณสังวรารามวรมหาวิหาร) At the entrance are international pavilions. Within the compound of the temple are the mondop where a replica of the Buddha's footprint is enshrined, a large chedi containing Buddha relics.

The Phra Phuttha Maha Wachira Uttamophat Satsada of Khao Chi Chan

Wat Sattahip or Wat Luangpho I (วัดสัตหีบ หรือ วัดหลวงพ่ออี๋) was constructed during the reign of King Rama V by Luangpho I or Phrakhru Worawet Muni who possessed knowledge of meditation and was the comforter of locals in their difficult times. Therefore, the monk was highly respected among the locals.

Hat Toei Ngam (หาดเตยงาม) has lines of toei trees (Pandanus kaida Kurz) on the 200 metre crescent beach. On the north side of the beach is a naval museum and monument.

Hat Sai Kaeo (หาดทรายแก้ว) is a beach under the supervision of the Royal Thai Navy, near the Naval Rating School.

Hat Nang Ram (หาดนางรำ) is a 200 metres long beach. At the tip of the beach stands the shrine of Kromluang Chumphonkhetudomsak, the father of the Royal Thai Navy.

Hat Nang Rong (หาดนางรอง) is a short distance beyond Hat Nang Ram. It is a 200-metre beach with pine trees.

Hat Thian Tale (หาดเทียนทะเล) is a sandy beach alternating with rocks, covering an area of 900 metres. It is a panoramic sightseeing point, with a bizarre shape of cliffs with a view of the sunset.

HTMS Chakri Naruebet (เรือรบหลวงจักรีนฤเบศร) is an offshore patrol helicopter carrier anchored at the Chuk Samet Deep Seaport. It is the flagship of the fleet, controlling and commanding the fleet at sea.

Turtle Conservation Center (ศูนย์อนุรักษ์พันธุ์เต่าทะเล กองทัพเรือ) has the objective of preserving Thai sea turtles.

Suan Chunlakan Sathit Sathan Banphachon Siam (สวนจุลการสถิตสถานบรรพชนสยาม) is a park built in honor of Admiral Prince Krommaluang Chumphon Khet Udomsak in 1995. There is a shrine, and statues of Prince Krommaluang Chumphon Khet Udomsak and significant persons in Thai history as well as revered Buddhist monks.

Phra Phuttha Ming Mueang (พระพุทธมิ่งเมือง) is an Buddha image carved out of padauk wood in the posture of subduing Mara. It is Laotian art, crafted by the Laotians who immigrated into this area. It is near the community centre of the Phanat Nikhom municipality office.

Ho Phra Phanatbodi (หอพระพนัสบดี) is a place where a replica of Phra Phanatbodi (Vanaspati) is enshrined. It is a standing Buddha image whose age is approximately 1,200-1,300 years. It was engraved out of black stone.

Wat Chum Saeng Si Wanaram (วัดชุมแสงศรีวนาราม) temple has Sala Kan Parian – a temple hall for the Buddhist monks' meetings and religious ceremonies, constructed of terra-cotta. It is called the Mabunkhrong Building.

Luangpho Tio, Wat Hua Thanon (หลวงพ่อติ้ว วัดหัวถนน) an engraved image of taeo wood (called tio wood by the Laotians). During the Songkran period, on 19 April every year, a procession carries the image around the village.

Wat Luang Phrommawat (วัดหลวงพรหมวาส) temple was a place where the ceremony of drinking an oath of allegiance was conducted. There are a large number of flying foxes in the trees.

Wat Tai Ton Lan (วัดใต้ต้นลาน) was constructed in 1905, representing the architecture of the local craftsmen such as the old wooden Sala Kan Parian – a preaching hall, a pair of swan columns, the cement giant sculpture, the ancient Jiangxi Chinese tiles, and the scripture hall or library made of teak wood surrounded by water.

Khao Cha Ang (เขาชะอางค์) (Amphoe Bo Thong) is an isolated limestone mountain standing on a plain and an important source of gold and antimony. Inside each mountain are beautiful caves such as Tham Nam, Tham Khangkhao, Tham Laplae, and Tham Mangkon.

Tham Khao Cha-ang Song Khrueang (ถ้ำเขาชะอางค์ทรงเครื่อง) is a large cave with stalagmites and stalactites, as well as bats.

Tham Khao Cha-ang Ha Yot (ถ้ำเขาชะอางค์ห้ายอด) is a cave of stalagmites and stalactites. The inside is divided into many small chambers.

Source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chonburi_Province