🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
The water on the Chanthaburi side isn't crystal-clear like the Andaman islands, but the charm here is how easygoing it is. The beach is long and open, so you never fight for a spot, the swimming is real, and you can walk straight up to a table for fresh seafood at prices that still feel fair. That mix makes Chao Lao and Laem Sing the go-to weekend escape for people from Bangkok and from Rayong–Trat who can drive over easily.
Chao Lao Beach — Chanthaburi's Longest Stretch of Sand
Chao Lao Beach is in Tha Mai district, a golden-brown sandy shore running almost 10 kilometres on from Laem Sadet. Coconut palms and shady pines line the whole length, the waves are gentle, and it's good for a swim — especially in the morning and late afternoon when the sun isn't harsh. It rarely feels packed; on weekdays you'll practically have the beach to yourself, and even on weekends and long holidays it gets busier without ever feeling cramped.
- Real swimming — light waves, a gentle slope, and several restaurants that let you use their showers after a dip
- A beach you can walk — stroll for shells and shoot photos along the water for ages, with no walls blocking the way
- Beautiful sunsets — the beach faces the evening light, and that orange-sky window is the golden minute for photos
Tip
Most of the beachfront seafood places at Chao Lao let you swim right out front for free if you order food, and they have showers and toilets you can use. Book a table by the water, then swim and eat in turns all afternoon — it works out better than finding a separate spot to park yourself.
Want more out of Chanthaburi? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Laem Sing Beach — Sea Close to Town + History
Laem Sing Beach is in Pak Nam Laem Sing sub-district, closer to town than Chao Lao, at the point where the Chanthaburi River meets the sea. The beach here is shorter than Chao Lao but comes with a bonus: historic sites from the period when France occupied Chanthaburi. The Red Building and Khuk Khi Kai are right next to each other, within walking distance, so it suits anyone who wants both the sea and a bit of history in one trip.
The Red Building (Tuk Daeng)
A red-brick building by the sea, built in 1893 when France occupied Chanthaburi, and used as a military headquarters. It's now open to visit for free and is the photo-with-the-sea spot everyone stops at.
Khuk Khi Kai (Chicken-Dung Prison)
An old tower-shaped prison built at the same time as the Red Building. The upper level once held chickens whose droppings fell on the prisoners below — hence the name. It's right across from the Red Building, within walking distance.
Ao Krathing
A tucked-away beach inside Khao Laem Sing Forest Park — clear water, a quiet shore, a hilltop viewpoint, plus showers and a canteen-style restaurant. Good for anyone wanting to escape the crowds.
Another spot worth a stop as you drive through is Taksin Maharat Bridge (Laem Sing Bridge) on the Chaloem Burapha Chonlathit Road — the scenic coastal route of the east that links Chao Lao and Laem Sing on toward Trat. There are sea-view pull-offs along the way, so you can drive it slowly and stop for photos the whole stretch.
Seafood Restaurants at Chao Lao & Laem Sing
The whole point of coming to the Chanthaburi sea is the seafood. It's fresh here because it comes straight off local fishing boats, and most restaurants sit right on the sand so you eat to the sound of the waves. We've picked the places that reviewers mention often and that are genuinely open. Prices are rough ranges and depend on the size and weight of the catch on the day.
Laguna Seafood, Chao Lao
The most talked-about seafood spot on the Chao Lao waterfront, with a quiet, natural setting and swimming right out front. Standout dishes include young-coconut hor mok (steamed fish curry), tom kha with roe crab, and squid in black ink.
Malibu Beach, Chao Lao
Right on the sand with a wide sea view, and what sets it apart is an evening fire-staff show almost every day. The menu leans on fresh catch, sashimi, and pickled roe crab in fish sauce — a good place to settle in for the cool breeze.
Yai Tu Seafood
A well-known spot around Chao Lao with a wide, open layout and a fish pond in the middle to keep the kids happy. Top dishes are steamed squid with lime, stir-fried surf clams with herbs, fried soft-shell crab, and crab-roe nam phrik. Good for families.
Krua Mar Had Beach
A laid-back restaurant right by the sea, good for families, with fresh seafood. The dishes people order most are herb-wrapped sea bass miang and crab stir-fried with curry powder.
Ruen Rim Nam Seafood
On Khlong Ta Sang near Chao Lao Beach — fresh catch, standard prices, and a wooden-house-by-the-water feel. Good for anyone who wants to sit somewhere cool without getting the full beach sun.
Beachfront Restaurants at Laem Sing (Pak Nam zone)
On the Laem Sing side there's a row of seafood spots along the river mouth, with fresh catch from local fishing boats. Good for lunch after you're done with the Red Building and Khuk Khi Kai.
Order well
What you should try on a trip to the Chanthaburi sea is crab, prawns, shellfish, and squid. Have them steamed, stir-fried with herbs, or in tom yum to get the full taste of the sea. Ask the price per kilo before ordering anything sold by weight (crab, prawns) so there are no surprises when the bill comes.
When to Go
You can visit the Chanthaburi sea year-round, but the most comfortable time to swim is from the cool season into early summer — roughly November to April — when the skies are clear, the waves are light, and the water isn't murky. The rainy season (May–October) brings bigger waves and cloudier water, but it has its upside: it lines up with Chanthaburi's durian and fruit season, so you can hit the beach and stop at an orchard in the same trip.
- Nov–Apr — clear water, light waves, the best time for swimming and photos
- Apr–Jun — Chanthaburi fruit season: durian, rambutan, mangosteen — stop at an orchard
- Weekdays — the beach is quietest; avoid weekends if you want the sea to yourself
Getting There
Both beaches are easy to drive to, with good roads and parking at the restaurants and sights. From Bangkok it's about 3–4 hours via the motorway and Sukhumvit Road to Chanthaburi. If you don't have your own car, the smoothest option is to take a coach to Chanthaburi town and then rent or charter a car out to the beach, since public transport to the shore is limited.
- Laem Sing Beach — about 30 km from Chanthaburi town; turn off Sukhumvit Road (the Trat route) and it's roughly another 16 km to the beach
- Chao Lao Beach — on the Tha Mai district side, about 25–30 km from town; from Tha Mai it's around 17 km to the beach
- Linking the two — take the Chaloem Burapha Chonlathit (coastal) road, with viewpoints and Taksin Maharat Bridge to stop at along the way
2-Day, 1-Night Chanthaburi Sea Plan
If you want both beaches — swimming, seafood, and a bit of history — two days and one night is just right. Here's a plan that loops around at an easy pace, no rushing.
Chao Lao Beach — Swim & Seafood
Laem Sing — Sea & History
If you have more time
If you can add another night, swing through Chanthaburi town to walk the riverside Chanthaboon community, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and the gem market. It's a small town you can cover in half a day on foot — so you get both the sea and the old town in one trip.
Plan a full Chanthaburi trip — the sea, the old town, and the food
See the Chanthaburi guide →