Chonburi

Chonburi sits an hour southeast of Bangkok, and most people only know it for one thing: Pattaya. Fair enough. Pattaya dominates the province’s coastline and its reputation — for better or worse.

But writing off Chonburi as “just Pattaya” is a mistake. The province has quiet islands, vineyards (yes, actual vineyards producing actual wine), local seafood towns, and a famous zoo that recently gave the world Moo Deng, the viral pygmy hippo. You can visit on a day trip from Bangkok or use it as a base for exploring Thailand’s eastern seaboard without the capital’s chaos.

Pattaya itself has cleaned up its act in recent years. It’s still got the reputation, and Walking Street still delivers on it, but there’s more going on now — particularly if you’ve got kids or prefer craft beer bars to go-go bars. We’ll get to all of it.

Getting there

From Bangkok

The cheapest option is a bus from Ekkamai station (Bangkok’s Eastern Bus Terminal). It’s on the BTS Skytrain line, which makes it easy to reach. Roong Reuang Coach runs buses to Pattaya roughly every hour from 6am to 10pm. Tickets cost 130-160 baht and the journey takes about 2.5 hours depending on traffic.

Minivans are faster and run more frequently — every 15-30 minutes — but they’re less comfortable and the drivers tend to treat the motorway like a racetrack. They cost slightly more than buses and drop you at more central locations in Pattaya (Bali Hai Pier or Jomtien Beach) rather than the bus station.

Taxis run about 1,000 baht one way from central Bangkok. Worth it if you’re splitting between a few people or just want to skip the hassle.

From Suvarnabhumi Airport

If you’re heading straight to Chonburi from the airport, you can get a taxi directly for around 1,200-1,500 baht. The journey is about 90 minutes depending on traffic. Alternatively, catch a bus from the airport’s transport hub on level 1 — several companies run routes to Pattaya.

Getting around

Chonburi is not a province you can navigate without some kind of transport. The towns and attractions are spread out, and public transport between them is patchy at best.

In Pattaya

Songthaews (the converted pickup trucks with two rows of seats in the back) are the local buses. The main loop runs down Beach Road and back up Second Road for 10 baht per person. Just hop on, press the buzzer when you want off, and pay through the driver’s window. Keep small change — drivers hate breaking large notes for a 10 baht fare.

The Jomtien route runs from Second Road near Walking Street down to Jomtien Beach for 10-20 baht. White songthaews run the Sukhumvit Road route for 20 baht.

Grab works here for motorbikes and cars. It’s usually cheaper than negotiating with a songthaew driver to take you somewhere off their route (they’ll try to charge you charter rates).

Beyond Pattaya

To visit Koh Larn, Koh Sichang, the vineyards, or Khao Kheow Zoo, you’ll need to arrange transport for each trip. Taxis and Grab work for most destinations on the mainland. Songthaews won’t help you unless you’re very patient and speak Thai.

If you’re planning to explore the whole province, consider renting a car. Chonburi is one of the easier provinces to drive in — flatter roads, less crazy traffic than Bangkok, and most attractions have parking.

What to do

Here’s what you actually need to know about the main draws.

Pattaya

Pattaya is beach town meets party town meets family resort. The beach itself isn’t why you’re here — the water quality is average at best and the sand gets packed with sun loungers. But the city around it has changed a lot.

Walking Street is still the famous (or infamous) stretch of go-go bars, clubs, and chaos that runs until dawn. If you’re into that, you’re into it. If you’re not, you can easily avoid the whole area — it’s contained to one street.

Beyond Walking Street, central Pattaya has solid food options ranging from cheap street food to proper restaurants. The shopping is decent. There’s a growing craft beer scene. The destination page for Pattaya has more detail.

Koh Larn

The island everyone should visit if they’re in Chonburi for more than a day. It’s 40 minutes by ferry from Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya (30 baht one way) and has actual swimmable beaches with cleaner water than the mainland.

Ferries run from 7am with services at 10am, noon, 2pm, 3:30pm, 5pm, and 6:30pm. The last ferry back leaves around 6pm, so don’t miss it unless you’re staying overnight. Speedboats cost about 2,000 baht for the whole boat if you want the 20-minute crossing.

Tawaen Beach is the biggest and busiest. Na Ban pier is where the ferries dock, and there’s a village worth exploring. Rent a scooter on the island or take one of the songthaews that shuttle between beaches.

Full details on our Koh Larn destination page.

Koh Sichang

Less touristy than Koh Larn and worth the extra effort to get there. Ferries leave from Koh Loi Pier in Si Racha (not Pattaya) for 50-60 baht one way. The crossing takes 45 minutes and boats run roughly hourly.

The island has old Chinese temples, a former royal palace, quiet beaches, and a slower pace than anything else in Chonburi. Come here if you want an escape from Pattaya’s energy.

Bang Saen Beach

The local beach — where Thais from Bangkok go on weekends rather than tourists. It’s about 13km from Chonburi city and has all the Thai beach essentials: seafood vendors, deck chair rentals, and families everywhere. Nothing fancy, but it’s a genuine local experience rather than a tourist production.

Khao Kheow Open Zoo

Home to Moo Deng, the pygmy hippo who became an internet celebrity in 2024 (and still draws crowds). The zoo itself is decent — large enclosures, proper animal welfare standards, night safari options. Worth it for families or anyone tired of watching sad animals in tiny cages.

About 30 minutes from Pattaya by taxi.

The vineyards

Yes, Thailand makes wine. The Silverlake Vineyard in Chonburi produces drinkable bottles — not world-class, but better than you’d expect from a tropical country. The setting is more impressive than the wine. Rolling hills, lake views, solid photo opportunities. Entry is free. A few glasses run 150-300 baht.

There’s also PB Valley Winery (technically in Khao Yai, but marketed as part of the Chonburi/eastern region experience) if you want to do a proper wine tour.

Sanctuary of Truth

A massive wooden temple in north Pattaya covered floor to ceiling in carved figures — gods, elephants, mythological scenes. It’s been under construction since 1981 and still isn’t finished, which is kind of the point. Entry is 500 baht for foreigners (half price for kids), steep but includes a guided tour.

Worth seeing if you’re into architecture or religious art. Skip it if you’re here purely for beaches and bars.

Nightlife

Pattaya’s nightlife is the main reason many people come here. Walking Street is the centre of it — a long pedestrian strip of go-go bars, beer bars, nightclubs, and general mayhem that runs from around 9pm until 4-5am.

If go-go bars aren’t your thing, Pattaya still has options. Soi Buakhao has a more local bar scene with some proper music venues. Third Road and Soi LK Metro have the bulk of the beer bar action. Rooftop bars and cocktail lounges have popped up along Beach Road if you want something more upmarket.

The LGBTQ+ scene is centred around Boyztown on Soi Buakhao.

We don’t moralize about any of this — Pattaya is what it is. Just know what you’re getting into. If the nightlife scene isn’t why you’re here, base yourself in Jomtien Beach, Si Racha, or one of the islands instead.

Where to stay

Chonburi’s accommodation ranges from 400 baht dorm beds to 10,000 baht resort suites — but where you base yourself matters more than what you pay.

Pattaya Beach Road

The main tourist strip. Closest to Walking Street and the action, but also the noisiest and most expensive. Hotels here range from 800 baht hostels to 5,000+ baht resort rooms. Good for first-timers who want to be in the middle of everything.

Jomtien Beach

Quieter than central Pattaya, longer beach, better swimming. Popular with families and long-stay visitors. Accommodation is slightly cheaper than Beach Road with the same quality. About 15 minutes from Walking Street by songthaew.

Naklua

North of Pattaya, residential vibe, good for those who want beach access without the chaos. Local restaurants and markets, fewer tourists. Good value accommodation.

Si Racha

The town where Sriracha sauce originates (though the famous American version was made in California). Skip this unless you’re catching the ferry to Koh Sichang or want a base that’s completely removed from Pattaya’s tourist scene. Some waterfront seafood restaurants worth trying.

On the islands

Koh Larn has guesthouses and a few resorts if you want to stay overnight after the day-trippers leave. Prices are reasonable and you get the beaches to yourself in the evening. Koh Sichang has basic accommodation near the main pier.

Where to go next

Chonburi connects easily to other parts of eastern Thailand.

Rayong and Koh Samet: The next province east. Koh Samet is a popular island with better beaches than anything in Chonburi — about 3 hours from Pattaya by bus and ferry.

Trat and the eastern islands: Keep going east and you hit Trat province with Koh Chang, Koh Mak, and Koh Kood — some of Thailand’s best islands.

Back to Bangkok: Flip the journey you came on. Buses from Pattaya run until late evening.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Bangkok to Chonburi?

Buses run from Ekkamai station every hour for about 130-160 baht and take 2-2.5 hours. You can also take a minivan for slightly more money and faster journey times, or a taxi for around 1,000 baht.

Is Chonburi worth visiting if I only have one day?

Yes, but pick one destination. Pattaya and Koh Larn work well as day trips from Bangkok. Trying to hit multiple spots in one day is a recipe for sitting in traffic.

What is Chonburi known for besides Pattaya?

Chonburi has Si Racha (the town where Sriracha sauce comes from), Koh Sichang island, Bang Saen beach, Khao Kheow Open Zoo (home of Moo Deng the hippo), and several vineyards including Silverlake.

Is Chonburi cheaper than Bangkok?

Accommodation is significantly cheaper outside of peak tourist areas. You can find decent rooms for 500-800 baht that would cost double in Bangkok. Food prices are similar unless you’re eating in tourist-trap restaurants along Beach Road.

How do I get to Koh Larn from Pattaya?

Take the public ferry from Bali Hai Pier for 30 baht one way. The journey takes 40 minutes. Ferries run from 7am with the last return around 6pm. Speedboats cost 2,000 baht for the whole boat.

When to go

Most of Thailand falls in to the generic high and low season categories, including Chonburi.

High season - begins in November and runs through to February, bringing cooler temperatures, lush greenery from the previous months of rain, good air quality, and less rain. The downside is larger crowds and sometimes higher prices for tours, flights and accomodation.

Low season - begins in July and runs through to October. During low season the temperatures are higher, the chance of rain and storms are higher. That doesn't mean it's a bad time to visit though, if you can be flexible, there are deals to be found on flights and accomodation.

While it's always hot in Chonburi, the small change in temperature between high and low season can be just enough that the heat isn't unbearable when out and about.

Need more? Read our post discussing the best time to visit Thailand.

Where to stay

Instead of recommending hotels, we think it will be more useful to share our process so you can pick based on your own critera for location, budget and style.

We always start our search on either Booking.com or Agoda. They have an easy to user interface and have some extra benefits for "Genius" and "VIP" users. You can also sometimes pay with credit card in advance if you're playing the cashback or air miles game.

Process:

1. Search for specific province, city or town.
2. Apply rating filters for a minimum rating or either 7, 8 or 9.
3. Apply other filters: budget, fitness, breakfast, etc.
4. If you have a specific location in mind, use map view to browse and make a final selection.

If there are too many properties available to choose from, increase the rating filter for less, higher rated selections.

Final notes: Prices are dynamic. Check the same hotel on both Booking.com and Agoda to see which has the best deal at any given time (go through to checkout to make sure all VAT and service charges are factored in). You can go one step further by calling the hotel and checking the price for booking directly. In our experience this saves money 50% of the time but you have less guarantees.