Chanthaburi

[Piece Corp]

Planning a trip from Pattaya to Koh Chang? Consider an over nighter in Chanthaburi. I lived for 6 years in this city of 50,000, two-thirds the way from Pattaya to Koh Chang. Very few tourists, but plenty of gems traders on the weekends. About half of all sapphires and rubies in commercial jewelry have passed through the market here at one time or another.

 

I used to visit a little oasis downtown near the lake called Marina Body massage, about a block from the Eastern hotel, which looks too scary to stay at. Marina has a lounge area, where you'll find Thais listing to karaoke singers, and a fishbowl of between 8 and 30 young, light-skinned girls. Quality is surprisingly good, at least as good as Pattaya soapys, but girls speak very little English, if any. There's a couch at the front entrance for side liners, which I only found occupied twice. They were 20 years old, slightly prettier, had pale white skin, and tits.

 

Not many farang come here and once a girl even refused me. Papasan held out his fist in a sort of black power salute to explain her reluctance. I offered to show it to her, but to no avail. I quickly got into the habit of tipping the papasan 100 baht during each visit, he'd whisper something to the girl I selected, then I always received outstanding service. Price was 1500 for 90 minutes, side liner was 2000. Facilities lacked proper drainage to support a rubber mattress, so the routine consisted of a round of sex, a bath, then another round of sex. Most girls did bbbj.

 

There's a second body massage down the street a bit, on the opposite side, cost is 1200. Don't know the name, is only displayed in Thai. Smaller fishbowl, 6-8 girls, and facilities not quite as nice, but girls are enthusiastic.

 

After your body massage, head over to Orbit Disco featuring live bands and coyote dancers on weekends.

 

Best accommodation in town is the Maneechan, nice outdoor pool, just off the Sukhumvit Highway but far from the city center. Alternatively, the KP Grand hotel is the tallest building in town, although I once got food poisoning there. The Kasemsan hotel has decent food, and isn't too far from either bus station. Also near the bus stations is the Caribou Highland hotel, which looks as scary as the Eastern. If on a budget, the River Guest House has cheap rooms with ceiling fan overlooking the Chanthaburi River, in the heart of the gems market, which is active from Friday to Sunday. For dinner, I'd recommend the Borneo Bar, across the river and slightly upstream. Also, Dreams Restaurant has good food, right next to the main bus station, although service is slow. Lots of other great places, but hard to find.

[redfred]

Thanks for the report, but what is a side liner

[irl]

Sorry mate but your not really selling the place to me think ill skip

[stevxpl]

Thanks for that, I have driven through/past every time I have gone down to Koh Chang or Koh Mak and not really taken much notice but after reading your post and doing a little searching I see there is a fair amount to do down there. Just added to my list of places to go.

[Piece Corp]

Better P4P than you'll find on Koh Chang.

[docmullet]

I had a great time here, when I had enough of Patts I would head out here for a rest...the locals are real friendly and it's got some cracking nightclubs...quite often you will be the only faring in there and the locals will send you drinks over. Really it's a nice break from Patts and the gem stone industry is fascinating. There are some good local brothels as well..I think ST was 500 Bhat

[pubstud]

"once a girl even refused me. Papasan held out his fist in a sort of black power salute to explain her reluctance. I offered to show it to her, but to no avail." LOL

 

Yeah I've had similar experiences when I was living down South. Once I went to a Thai brothel and the price (way back then) was 100Bt a ST but the mamasan charged me 150Bt. She said farang have bigger dicks and use more pussy, so have to pay that bit extra...lol

 

Down in Betong I came across gals that were just plain scared of farang. Perhaps people had told them farang are hung like donkeys. They were poking Thai and Chinese & Malay guys but refusing farang.

[Piece Corp]

Stopped in Chanthaburi on my way to Koh Chang this week and took some pictures for this thread.

 

Here is a view of Trirat Road from the 14th floor of the KP Grand hotel, largest building in town.

 

 

A ground view of Trirat Road

 

 

Gems Street, if it were a weekend the gems market would be alive

 

 

From the park, on a small island in the middle of town

 

 

Marina Body massage, where I used to spend all my free time

 

 

A victim of the '98 crash, an unfinished hotel along the river. Thais are too superstitious to go near it.

 

 

Some pictures of the Chanthaburi River

 

 

The Chanthaburi Cathedral, built by Vietnamese immigrants in 1711, rebuilt in 1909, is the largest Catholic ediface in Thailand.

 

 

[Chips]

Hi, I just moved to Chanthaburi. Does anyone have any other tips on good places to find nightlife or some P4P action?

 

I havent tried Marina yet, will have to check it out soon.

[Piece Corp]

You could try one of the many karaoke places if you speak thai, they don't get many farang customers. But Marina is well worth a visit, used to spend lots of time there.

[Jai Yen]

My wife comes from Chanthaburi so whenever in Thailand we have to go visit the relatives. To be honest I never really enjoy going there (although I do get on well with her family) there just isn't much for a falang to do here.

 

I usually stay at the Maneechan hotel which is actually quite a nice place to stay and has a good pool for real swimming and a decent gym. Other than one certain receptionist I fell out with last time the staff are pretty friendly. But best to bring your own drinks in as the prices are not cheap.

 

The Catholic church is an interesting place to see and If you are looking to kill a few hours during the day the waterfall is also worth a visit. You can wade into the water and feed the fish, some of the locals swim in here too.

 

 

 

 

Some of the restaurants are really good, there is one seafood place a little bit of a drive out of town, I forget the name now but they do really good seafood at a low price.

 

I guess the place is worth a quick visit but I certainly don't envy you living here, one visit is enough but unfortunately I have to go for a couple of days on every trip.

Edited May 11, 2012 by Jai Yen

[Chips]

Im working here, so I dont get too much time to get bored. Its easy to go over to Koh Chang or visit Pattaya on weekend, so Im pretty happy living here.

 

Ive never been able to work out how the karaoke places work. Are you able to take the girls home with you. I dont really speak Thai, so I guess this will be difficult.

[Jai Yen]

Im working here, so I dont get too much time to get bored. Its easy to go over to Koh Chang or visit Pattaya on weekend, so Im pretty happy living here.

 

Ive never been able to work out how the karaoke places work. Are you able to take the girls home with you. I dont really speak Thai, so I guess this will be difficult.

 

Just out of curiosity what is your work? Never really struck me as a place for foreigners to find employment,

[Piece Corp]

My employer sold gemstones on the Internet. I did the software.

[Chips]

Im a teacher here. So I guess I need to keep my mongering on the down low.

 

I poped into Marina the other day and the place was full, with guys. I guess all of the girls were busy. I will have to try again during the day time.

 

Has anyone tried taking coyote girls home from Orbit Nightclub? Seriously some of the sexiest women I have ever laid eyes on.

[Piece Corp]

Marina always had a good selection when I visited, usually around 8 PM, always between 8 and 20 girls to choose from. The heavyset Papasan would help me with my choice. BTW, Orbit Disco was located in the basement of the KP Grand hotel when i first moved there, about 7 years ago, much more capacity in the current location. There was also a disco to the side of the Eastern hotel, but I don't know if it's still in business.

 

Laem Sing and/or Chaolao beaches are worth a day trip, especially since they completed the bridge between them a few years ago. About 30 km or so through Tha Mai.

 

I took the bus to Bangkok or rode my motorcycle to Pattaya on the weekends for most of my fun, but I enjoyed living in Chanthaburi.

Edited May 14, 2012 by Piece Corp

[Jai Yen]

My employer sold gemstones on the Internet. I did the software.

 

Just going back to this I watched this Youtube video last night and thought it was pretty relevant for here. Was this the type of thing you were involved with?

 

Edited May 17, 2012 by Jai Yen

[BluTraveller]

thanks for sharing

[sanuk247]

Indeed... thanks for sharing info and pics. Now on my agenda for a weekend visit.

[tomjones]

Hey guys- you just never know what will turn up on this site! I am heading there next month- any tips on how to get there from BKK? WIll definitely check out Marina and Orbitz too!

 

Thanks

[tomjones]

OH= also, how to get between Chanthaburi and Pattaya- of course! is there a bus or do I have to hire a car? If a car- anyone know how much?

 

THANK YOU

[Piece Corp]

Bus to Chanthaburi from Ekkami Bus Terminal in Bangkok costs 187 baht, leaves about every hour, takes around 3.5 hours. From Pattaya, you can flag a bus on Sukhumvit Road. You will probably have to transfer in Rayong unless you can get the bus going to Trat, otherwise may have to wait up to an hour in Rayong. Usually costs around 1000 baht/day to rent a car, including insurance.

[Big Casino]

Hey thanks for taking the time to write. Always interesting to see other areas of Thailand, whenver I visit I always go somewhere new. Have been to mostly northern and western thailand but looking to go down to rayong next time so may call in for overnight stop.

Thanks again.

 

 

Big Casino.

[tomjones]

Great reply- thanks! Figure I could also hire a taxi to go from Chanthaburi to Pattaya- have any experience with this? (this is different than renting a car myself and driving, which is what I think your last post referred to, yes?)

[tomjones]

Oh- and as long as I have your ear- I am really interested in buying settings- sterling silver and semi mounts. Is this possible in Pattaya? I have a few contacts in Chanthaburi but am always scouting for more if you know of any...

 

THANKS AGAIN