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🏖️ Chanthaburi Beach Plan

Chanthaburi Beach Trip
Chao Lao–Laem Sing–Kung Krabaen

Most people know Chanthaburi as a fruit town with an old riverside quarter, but the coast here is just as worth your time. You get long stretches of clear-water sand, a mangrove forest you can actually walk through, and a coastal road that's a pleasure to drive end to end. This is a relaxed 2-day, 1-night beach plan that strings Chao Lao Beach, Kung Krabaen Bay, and Laem Sing together without any rush.

🏖️ Clear-water sandy beaches🌿 Kung Krabaen mangrove🦐 Seafood with sea views
Chanthaburi Beach Trip Chao Lao–Laem Sing–Kung Krabaen

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

Chanthaburi's coast is only 30–50 minutes from the city center, clustered around Tha Mai and Laem Sing districts. The draw is the mix: beaches for swimming, a mangrove forest to stroll, viewpoints along the coastal road, and fresh seafood at fair prices. Everything sits within a half-hour drive of the next stop, so it makes for an easy short trip. The best window is November to February, when the sky is clear, the air is cool, and the sea is calm.

Before you go — good to know

  • Getting around — Driving yourself is by far the easiest. From central Chanthaburi, take Sukhumvit Road (Highway 3), then turn onto Chaloem Burapha Chonlathit Road, the coastal route that links all the beaches together.
  • Best time — November to February brings clear skies, calm water, and good swimming. During the rainy season (May–October) the sea turns murky with stronger waves, so lean into the viewpoints and seafood instead.
  • Where to stay — Pick a place around Chao Lao or Kung Wiman and you wake up right by the sea, or stay in town and drive out early. Either works.
  • Budget — Entry fees at most spots are cheap, and several are free. Your main costs are accommodation and the seafood meals.
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Day 1 — Chao Lao Beach + Kung Krabaen mangrove

Day one is about swimming and easy nature walks. Start at Chao Lao Beach, Chanthaburi's most popular stretch of sand, then move on to Kung Krabaen Bay with its mangrove boardwalk that runs over 1.6 kilometers.

Day 1

Chao Lao–Kung Krabaen

09:00
Leave the city center, head for Chao Lao BeachAbout a 40–50 min drive along Chaloem Burapha Chonlathit Road, with the sea opening up in patches along the way.
10:00
Swim and stroll at Chao Lao BeachA long sandy beach with fairly clear water and gentle waves. You can rent umbrellas and loungers, and there are restaurants and souvenir shops all along the shore. Good for both families and groups of friends.
12:00
Seafood lunch by the beachChao Lao's beachfront has plenty of spots. Order fresh prawns, shellfish, crab, and fish without paying much.
13:30
Enter the Kung Krabaen Bay Mangrove Nature Study CenterA short drive on from Chao Lao. Free entry, open daily around 08:30–16:30.
14:00
Walk the boardwalk through the mangrovesThe wooden boardwalk runs over 1.6 km, an easy and shady walk with information boards the whole way. You'll spot mangrove trees, fiddler crabs, and mudskippers, plus a suspension bridge and good photo spots along the route.
15:30
Kayak through the mangroves (if you have the energy)Kayaks rent for around 100 THB an hour. Paddle in to see the brackish-water ecosystem up close from another angle.
17:00
Check in and catch the sunsetThe Kung Wiman–Chao Lao area has plenty of seafront places to stay. Save your energy for the next day.

Tip

The Kung Krabaen mangrove boardwalk gets harsh sun at midday. Walk it in the late afternoon or early morning instead, bring a hat and water, and a bit of bug spray goes a long way for comfort.

Day 2 — Coastal road + Laem Sing

Day two is a chilled driving day, following Chaloem Burapha Chonlathit Road. Stop at the Noen Nang Phaya viewpoint, one of Chanthaburi's signature sights, then head down to Laem Sing for the history at the Red Building and the Khuk Khi Kai prison, before closing out the trip with one last seafood meal.

Day 2

Noen Nang Phaya–Laem Sing

08:30
Breakfast and pack upThe morning sky over the sea photographs beautifully, so grab a few shots before you head out.
09:30
Drive Chaloem Burapha Chonlathit Road, stop at Noen Nang Phaya viewpointMany rate this as the prettiest coastal road in eastern Thailand. The Noen Nang Phaya viewpoint looks out over the curving hillside road and the open sea, with a parking lot and a coffee shop.
10:30
Stop at a sea-view cafe around Kung WimanSeveral breezy cafes sit along this stretch of road. Sip a coffee looking out at the sea before moving on.
12:00
Seafood lunch at Kung Wiman BayThe Kung Wiman area is known for seafood restaurants with good views. Squid, shellfish, and fresh crab run a few hundred baht a dish.
13:30
Head to Laem Sing — the Red Building & Khuk Khi KaiHistoric sites from when France occupied Chanthaburi. The Red Building is a red-painted brick structure, and the Khuk Khi Kai prison sits about 200 meters away. Free entry, good for both photos and history.
14:30
Oasis Sea World dolphin show (if you're traveling with kids)Located at the mouth of the Laem Sing estuary, open 09:00–18:00. Afternoon dolphin shows run at 13:00 and 15:00. Adult tickets are around 130 THB, children around 80 THB.
16:30
Stroll Laem Sing beach and pick up souvenirsWrap up the trip with the sea breeze at Laem Sing, and grab some fish sauce, shrimp paste, and dried seafood to take home.

Seafood spots people stop at around here

Seafood is the main event on this trip. The Kung Wiman–Chao Lao area has seafront restaurants spread all along Chaloem Burapha Chonlathit Road, most of it fresh and reasonably priced. These are the places locals and visitors mention most often.

Kung Wiman

Krua Mae Daeng Seafood

A spot in a fishing-village neighborhood with fresh catch. Standouts are the steamed squid with egg in lime sauce, garlic-fried soft-shell crab, and prawn curry, running about 100–300 THB a dish.

Kung Wiman

Talay Buri (Je Sao Kung Wiman)

Fresh seafood at friendly prices and generous plates. A regular stop for many people passing through the Kung Wiman route.

Coastal road

Ruan Rim Nam Seafood

Around the 62-kilometer mark on Chaloem Burapha Chonlathit Road. A waterside setting that's good for a long, unhurried lunch.

Straight talk

Seafood prices depend on weight and the day's market rate. Before you order, ask for the price per kilo clearly, especially for crab and large prawns, so there are no surprises when the bill comes.

Tweak the plan for who's coming

  • With kids — Build in plenty of time at Oasis Sea World; watch the dolphin show, then move on to the fish-feeding activity. Kids love it.
  • For photographers — Focus on the Noen Nang Phaya viewpoint in the morning light, and the suspension bridge in the Kung Krabaen mangrove.
  • Only have one day — Trim it to Chao Lao plus Kung Krabaen from morning to afternoon, then close with a seafood dinner before heading back.
  • Want maximum chill — Stay seafront for 2 nights and add a free day for swimming and lounging on the sand without going anywhere.

Want a full Chanthaburi plan covering the coast, the old town, and the fruit

See the Chanthaburi travel guide →

FAQ

How many days do you need for Chanthaburi's beaches?

Chanthaburi's coast is easy to cover in 2 days and 1 night. Day one is swimming at Chao Lao Beach and walking the Kung Krabaen mangrove; day two is driving the coastal road, stopping at Noen Nang Phaya, then heading down to Laem Sing. If you only have one day, trim it to Chao Lao and Kung Krabaen.

When is the best time to visit Chanthaburi's beaches?

November to February is best: clear skies, cool breezes, and calm, fairly clear water for easy swimming. During the rainy season from May to October the sea turns murky with stronger waves, so lean into the viewpoints and seafood instead.

Is Kung Krabaen Bay free to enter, and what are the hours?

The Kung Krabaen Bay Mangrove Nature Study Center is free to enter and open daily around 08:30–16:30. The wooden boardwalk runs over 1.6 kilometers and is an easy walk. If you want to kayak, rentals run about 100 THB an hour.

Can you swim at Chao Lao Beach?

Yes. Chao Lao is a long sandy beach with fairly clear water and gentle waves. You can rent umbrellas and loungers, and there are restaurants all along the shore, so it suits both families and groups of friends. The water is clearest in the cool season.

Is Chao Lao Beach far from central Chanthaburi?

Not far — about a 40–50 minute drive. From the city center, take Sukhumvit Road and turn onto Chaloem Burapha Chonlathit Road, the coastal route that links Chao Lao, Kung Wiman, and Laem Sing together. Driving yourself is the easiest way.

Related

🗺️ Chanthaburi Travel Guide🏨 Top 10 Hotels in Chanthaburi🏖️ Chao Lao–Laem Sing Beach: What to Do

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