🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Plenty of people driving up from Bangkok on the motorway roll past Kabin Buri without stopping, even though the town sits just a short hop from the Noen Hom route up to Khao Yai. Leave a little earlier, walk the market, have breakfast at one of the old-timer shops and grab a coffee before you start the climb, and you'll come away with good food and a glimpse of life in this Prachin–Sa Kaeo border town that outsiders rarely see.
Pak Nam Old Market, where the town began
Kabin Buri's old market sits right at the pak nam — the river mouth where the Hanuman stream meets the Phra Prong stream and becomes the head of the Prachinburi River. From roughly 1906 to the 1950s this was a busy trading port, with all kinds of boats coming and going to move goods. Today you can still see clusters of vernacular wooden shophouses lined up along Chao Sam-ang Road, traces of an old trading community that are easy to wander through at a relaxed pace.
- Wooden shophouses — old timber rows along Chao Sam-ang Road and around Boribun Market, nice for photos, with a quiet small-town feel.
- The two-stream junction — the river mouth where the Hanuman stream meets the Phra Prong stream, the origin of the name Ban Pak Nam. In some seasons you can see the two colours of water side by side.
- Boribun Market (Chao Sam-ang Market) — the central fresh market of the old quarter, with fresh produce, dry goods and bagged home-style dishes to pick from in the morning.
When to walk it
The old market is busiest in the morning before ten, when the fresh produce and the prepared-food stalls are still fully stocked. By late morning the sun gets harsh and many stalls start to close. If you're here mainly to photograph the wooden shophouses, come early for soft light and cooler air.
Want more out of Prachinburi? 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.
The legendary eateries locals swear by
The charm of this town is the old shops that have stood by the market for decades, the ones locals have eaten at since they were kids. We've picked the places reviewers mention most that are still open and ranked them by how worth a stop they are, with their standout dishes and rough prices.
Sri Nuan Chuan Chim
A legendary curry-and-stir-fry shop going back about 50 years, smack in the middle of Kabin Buri market, across from the TMBThanachart bank. Locals vouch that it's genuinely good. The most-ordered dishes are taro chicken curry, fresh-shrimp pad Thai, chicken salad and crispy-pork basil. Come morning to midday for the fullest selection.
Yai Noi Noodles
An old noodle shop going back around 30 years that many locals have eaten at since childhood — soft noodles, well-balanced broth. It's across from Bang Pakong Headwaters Park, an easy walk from the market area, and makes a light breakfast before you head on.
Som Tam Talat Taek
A punchy Isan spot in the market area, on Chao Sam-ang Road near the Kabin Buri post office, with dozens of dishes — som tam, larb, koi and plenty of grilled options. It's popular with people working nearby and makes a good fiery lunch.
Khrua A-Ku
A stir-fry and single-plate spot that Kabin Buri folks recommend by word of mouth, with the bold flavours of a true local kitchen. Good for a proper sit-down meal or for ordering several dishes to share with a group.
Kabin Municipal Night Market
A night market in the centre of town, open from evening into the late hours, with everything from rice and omelettes to skewered shabu, fried snacks, pork satay and sweets — all at easy prices. Good for a dinner run or to grab something to take back to your room.
Supaphon Market
Kabin's regular flea-and-fresh market, with a Wednesday market, a Saturday amulet market and a wholesale food zone at night. Fun for browsing food, everyday goods and local souvenirs, and handy for stocking up before the drive up the mountain.
Straight talk
A lot of these old-timer shops sell out fast and close by mid-afternoon, and some have a fixed day off each week. Before you set your heart on one particular shop, check their page or call to confirm the opening day, and bring cash — most old shops and market stalls still take cash or bank transfer only.
Cafes in town before the climb
If you want a decent coffee before tackling Khao Yai, Kabin Buri town has several small cafes scattered around — relaxed, homey places you don't need to drive far for. Stop in for a sip, then carry on without any hassle.
G Coffee Home
A small, warm cafe just before Kabin Buri railway station. The owner has been making coffee for over a decade, with curry puffs and cookies baked fresh daily — good for a light breakfast.
Baan Mae Cafe
A woodwork cafe in the Ban Tai area of Mueang Kao subdistrict, with a wooden walkway through the trees. It serves both drinks and single-plate dishes made by the owner. Closed Wednesdays.
K'bin Coffee
A coffee shop on the Nadi–Kabin road with a shady garden and a bird aviary to look at. The drink people talk about is the blended fresh-coconut milk — a comfortable, unhurried spot.
O'Mill
A newer cafe behind Global House on the old Sa Kaeo road, aimed at the whole family, with art activities for kids on weekends. Closed Tuesdays.
A half-day eat-and-walk route before Khao Yai
If you have a morning before heading into Khao Yai, plan a route that keeps you in town first and then works its way out toward Noen Hom, so you're not doubling back. Here's a rough plan that starts at the Pak Nam old market.
Old market → legendary eateries → cafe → Noen Hom
Getting there and parking
- From Bangkok — drive the motorway / Route 304 for about 2–2.5 hours to reach Kabin Buri town, then turn off toward Khao Yai via Noen Hom from there.
- By train — there's a Kabin Buri station on the Eastern Line, good if you don't have a car, but you'll still need a songthaew or motorbike taxi to get around town.
- Parking — the market area is made up of small town streets and gets crowded in the morning. It's best to find on-street parking on the outer edges and walk in, rather than circling for a spot in the middle of the market.
One last tip
Kabin Buri works better as a stop than an overnight destination. Most people use it to top up on food and coffee before heading up to Khao Yai on the Prachin side. If you do want to stay over, most hotels and resorts sit out toward Noen Hom–Thap Lan, closer to the climb than to the town itself.
Plan a full day in Prachinburi — markets, cafes, waterfalls and Khao Yai on the Prachin side.
See the Prachinburi guide →