Chanthaburi - Laem Sing

[genghis61]

After visiting the Buddha Park (Chanthaburi - Buddha Park at Wat Charg Yai) we went straight to Oasis Sea World - 2km off the road to Laem Sing, we'd seen the signs and went to see what time shows were on. Struck it right and there was a dolphin show starting in about 20 minutes.

To be honest I'd give it about 4 out of ten. But I wasn't in the mood for anything - had a large infected area on my back, scratches after cutting down trees and bamboo, plus sinus/earache, just to make a 'family holiday' all the more enjoyable. A bullet would have been kind.

Dolphins jump through hoops, push inflatable balls back that are thrown to them. Jump through hoops. But I was in the minority, there was quite a crowd who appeared to enjoy it - including a busload of young monks from Chiang Rai, and the kids thought it was wonderful they'd never seen 'real' dolphins before.

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After the show there is the option to 'swim with the dolphins (400 baht)

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[genghis61]

Laem Sing (Thai: แหลมสิงห์) is a district (Amphoe) of Chanthaburi Province, eastern Thailand. After the Paknam crisis in 1893 the French colonist troops occupied Chanthaburi, returning it in 1905 when Thailand gave up ownership of the western part of Cambodia. A significant minority of Chanthaburi citizens are native Vietnamese, who came there in three waves - first in the 19th century during an anti-Catholic persecution in Cochin China, a second wave came in the 1920s to 1940s fleeing from French Indochina, and a third one after the communist victory in Vietnam in 1975. Thus the town of Chanthaburi is the seat of a Bishop of Chanthaburi since 1944.

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Ladies in hats! Settled into our little beach bungalow, then off to a seaside cafe. We were the only tourists in town . . . place really was deserted during the day, as was the beach

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Laem Sing Beach, May 2010

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Best dressed girl on the beach . . . unfortunately there had been a lot of rain and the water was very dirty, so much rubbish washed down plastic bags etc, the beach is just south of the rivermouth, we didn't swim there. We headed over the bridge . . .

[genghis61]

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The bridge is a recent addition to the landscape - and an impressive one it is too, gives great views of the town and Chanthaburi's buildings are visible in the distance. We watched the fishing boats coming home, it's a popular stopping point with plenty of room to park at the top/centre. Bridge runs from the centre of Laem Sing across the river, where sealed road turns to dirt road for about 6km - however they were working on this when we were there (May) and may well be sealed by now.

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There are temples at each end of the bridge, once a boat trip apart now a 5 minute drive.

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I wondered if the floating house could be rented out, for when i really want to get away from people.

[genghis61]

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Ao Krathing

After the disappointment of the dirty water at Laem Sing beach we were pleased to find two little beaches 10 minutes away on the north side of the river, clean, clear water ideal for the kids. First was Ao Krathing, there was one family there but plenty of room!

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Then Ao Yang about 5min away. Really liked this one, little seaside cafes but only two out of maybe ten operating in May, liked it so much we went back in the evening for another swim and a seafood meal, 5 baht change room/shower before eating. Watched the sun go down and left well after dark, steady supply of drinks kept us going.
There is some accommodation here and it would be a quiet little getaway for a couple of days. Couldn't snorkel due to my ear/sinus problems but was told there was good snorkelling spots at each end of the beach. Next time.

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Ao Yang in the evening

[genghis61]

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Explored a side road that ended up a dead-end, through the trees saw some boats up on land for repair . . . maybe. Didn't appear to have been anyone there for a long time, mainly fishing boats like the first pic. The police boat was interesting, unsure what purpose it could be rebuilt for.

Kids wandered off exploring them screams and it was a frantic rush for the car. Like a scene from a movie it really was close getting inside and doors closed before three mad dogs sunk their teeth into someone. Nasty critters they were, and didn't let up when we were inside the vehicle. Once kids calmed down we let them get their own back, wound the windows down a little and the kids barked back at them, got the dogs in quite a frenzy.

[aging one]

Once kids calmed down we let them get their own back, wound the windows down a little and the kids barked back at them, got the dogs in quite a frenzy.

Way to go dad, a man after my own heart.

[terry57]

Nice thread mate,

Cheers

[genghis61]

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This red building is called Tuek Daeng, built by the French. It was their headquarters during France's occupation of Chanthaburi from 1893-1903. The single storey structure measuring 32x7 metres comprises five rooms that today serve as an exhibition area showcasing, among other artefacts, an old French cannon, pictures and literature chronicling landmark events and history of Chanthaburi.
It was closed when we were there.

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Built by the French, Khuk Khi Kai (chicken dung cell) used to be a prison. Measuring 10m height and 4m width, entry was via a single door and each of its walls was marked by four small windows at the base and as many near the ceiling. Inmates were mostly Thai resisting French occupation of Chanthaburi. Inside, the French raised chickens on an area above the prisoners, when the birds excreted their droppings fell on inmates. Today the building looks like a local version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, slowly sinking and leaning to one side.

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Some small temptation to leave these two inside . . . but no door!

[genghis61]

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About 12km north of Laem Sing - across the bridge, dirt road, some hills with nice views, is a huge stretch of white sand beach - Chao Lao. We left at around 8am and it was a very scenic drive along the coast, early morning sea so calm.

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Once again we had a beach to ourselves; one of the beach cafes was open and we had seafood lunch under the trees. Chao Lao would be the closest beach to Chanthaburi city and judging by the number of eating places, motels and guesthouses must be busy at times. But not in May.

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Last one out of the water gets left behind. Time to go . . .

[pescator]

Very nice trip report, brings back old memories.

[dirtydog]

Suprised Chanthaburi doesn't get many tourists, plenty of empty beaches there.

Here's a Thai guy surfing on 2 of the dolphins.

[mysticpaki]

For Genghis61
If i wanted to spend 3 or 4 nights which beach for swimming would you recommend Chao Lao as best on the mainland???? if so could u advise me regarding accomodation??
How many kilometers is Chantaburi??
My email ic cliche61[at]hotmail.com
Thanks

[keekwai]

Are you sure that was a floating house? What with all the rain here it might have been a normal house that was washed away! ..

[Snakebite911]

Good report, thanks for posting it.

[genghis61]

^^ Chao Lao was the best we saw near Chanthaburi; no waves, clean/clear and ideal for families/safe swimming. We're both kayakers and it would be ideal for that. I haven't sen enough mainland beaches to rate it against the others
I think it is 20-25km from Chanthaburi town, we got there up the coast from Laem Sing.
As far as accomm - suggest a drive-by and see who has the best rate on their sign outside; as this was an 'organised holiday' and we must be organised - 4 of us, we'd booked ahead online and paid 1100 a night for family unit and didn't pay attention to other accomm - though there certainly is a lot of it there..

^Re the floating house - you could be right. Got home an hour ago and the house is an island, whatever storm/cyclone that is about has arrived, gales and bucketing down.

[alanr]

Hi thanks for the post found it very interesting , will be in chanthaburi Oct 10 this year
will be meeting my step daughter (Thai) for the first time, apparently she love swimming so we need a hotel, beach location with a swimming pool so iam told !!
any suggestions would be great going to that part for 5 day, then 2 days korat then on to chiang khan possibly lao

alan and rapeeporn

[keekwai]

I'm off to Laem Singh for a spot of fishing on Friday afternoon (knock off early Fridays) .. I'll keep an eye out for any likely places.

[Naja Tom]

Nice pics.

[chedi]

visit chao lao last december.
from monday to friday not many tourists,
weekends lot of "traffic"

[Bob63]

Nice thread and photos, thanks

[genghis61]

sine our trip in May we've been back to Chanthaburi twice, these pics from late December



Chao Lao beach - stayed here on both trips; clean, safe for children, can go out a long way from the beach and still be in under a metre of water, and plenty of shade under the trees


North end of Chao Lao is Laem Sadet - not good for children to swim it drops off into deep water very sharply, the building is part of a Buddhist training centre, not a hotel as we first thought.
We saw dolphins the evening of the sunset pics


Aquarium at Laem Sadet - has a short walk-through tunnel and some good displays.
And it is free entry.

[genghis61]

no shortage of good cheap accommodation. We stayed same place both times but there are many of similar quality in same price range.


Where we stayed in December, Ton Wa, 500b/night room has aircon, tv (Thai, not cable), one king/one single bed side by side, shower/toilet room. This one had a garage, only one that did. We had kids with us in November and had a larger unit with 2 x kingsize beds for 700/night.
No cooking facilities but no shortage of small restaurants along the main road and at the beach.



Other places all in same price range, seemed standard at 500 a night for a double.



And for the really budget traveler, these fan rooms at 300/night

[genghis61]

12km north of Chao Lao is Khung Wiman, quiet little beach. It's only a few km from Chao Lao but there's an estuary in the way.



Two guesthouse developments here appear to be abandoned, two still operating plus an expensive-looking Moroccan-style place neither of us can remember the name of.
There's a boat ramp here, in November we spent a day snorkelling and it was the best we'd seen on that trip - stopping at beaches from Rayong/Koh Samet heading south. This time we went and barely a fish to be seen. Boxing Day, possibly all on holiday.



Just south of the main beach the road continues over some hills, good views over the estuary, and a couple of Buddha statues too

[genghis61]

Water clarity and the beach in general were a lot better than our May trip to LS when the water was filthy from all the silt washing down the river.
That must be a tsunami warning tower? No signs but can't think of anything else?



The bridge north, and view from bridge facing inland towards C'buri city; another improvement since May is that the road between Laem Sing and Chao Lao is very nearly completely sealed - last time we had about 12km of dirt, now a good asphalt road complete with cycle track on the side.


Over the bridge and re-visited Ao Yang beach about 2km on the north side, able to swim and snorkel this trip after May's misery of ear infection; nice clear water but few fish to be seen

[smeden]

nice pics and nice story i will try to give a green for this tread