Built during the Ayutthaya period by Vietnamese escaping Christian persecution in Vietnam and moving to Chanthaburi, this cathedral, now in its fifth iteration, features a striking Gothic architectural style, highlighted by the spire on the bell tower. Inside, there are stunning stained glass depictions of saints and a hardwood Noah’s Ark-inspired ceiling design. The Virgin Mary, decorated with 200,000 gems and valued at over 10 million baht, stands out as the most captivating feature, crafted through the collaboration of the people of Chanthaburi. This Catholic church is celebrated as one of the oldest and most beautiful in Thailand, having been honored with the Outstanding Building Conservation Award in 1999 from the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage.

Hours of operation: Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 15:00, and on Sunday from 12:00 to 16:00.                       

Note: Please remember to dress appropriately; pants or skirts should cover the knees. Capturing images of individuals inside the cathedral is not allowed.

Father Chalerm Kitmongkol has been traveling through several countries since 1987, gathering a significant collection of crosses that represent God’s love and mercy for everyone, as well as rosaries and images of the Virgin Mary. The existing collection of more than 1,500 crosses is anticipated to be the most extensive in Thailand. The oldest one is over a century old. Included in the collection are unique pieces, such as a cross made from salt, hailing from the Catedral de Sal de Zipaquirá, a church nestled within a salt mine in Colombia.

Open: Available by appointment only. Please call 08 9096 2567.    

Despite its recent opening, Uncle Tui’s has quickly gained fame on social media, thanks to many food influencers who have shared their positive reviews. Uncle Tui’s grilled beef and pork boasts a unique taste that is hard to find elsewhere. His secret starts with selecting the perfect ingredients. Every type of meat ought to have a touch of fat. The pork should be sourced from the neck, while the beef should come from the sirloin tri-tip. Next, it is marinated and infused with herbs in the authentic Vietnamese style found in the Church neighborhood, featuring bustard cardamom, pepper, garlic, and cane sugar. The dish is baked to perfection and then grilled over charcoal to create the irresistible aroma.

Open daily from 06:00 AM to noon.     

For over 20 years, the grilled banana from this shop has been a beloved snack in the Ban Tha Ruea Chang community. The shop uses a special selection of large, ripe bananas, grilling them to perfection and pounding them until they reach a delightful softness. A unique recipe is the sauce made from cane sugar, a celebrated specialty of Nong Bua Subdistrict, which is then simmered using traditional techniques. Each bite presents a wonderful flavor and aroma, beautifully combined with a touch of salted coconut milk.  

Open daily from 09:00 AM to 14:00.                

Over 40 stunning pieces of street art portray the vibrant story of Chanthaburi province, along with the Catholic Church and Ban Tha Ruea Chang neighborhoods. The focal piece highlights the intriguing history of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, showcasing its progression from the original wooden structure to the current fifth establishment, characterized by the impressive Western-style architecture. Additionally, the street art shows the well-known identity of Chanthaburi Province, various types of fruit, and the rabbit in the moon, which reflects the beauty, tranquility, and charm of this delightful region.

A famous noodle shop in the Tha Ruea Chang Neighborhood, it has been serving customers for over 50 years. It has originally been praised for its pork and beef Liang noodles, a unique culinary tradition of the Chanthaburi people, known for its rich and aromatic herbal soup, which features bustard cardamom, a relative of ginger and turmeric, complemented by pineapple and pickled garlic, and roasted shrimp paste. It is incredibly rich and profoundly satisfying. Recently, the red pork noodles, known locally as “moo yeum,” have become quite the sensation. However, if you try both…they might just be the best.

Hours of operation: 08:30 to 14:30. Closed on Wednesday and Thursday.

Along the way    

As you journey from Je Nong’s to the Cathedral, be sure to look to your right. A sapodilla tree is nicely spreading its branches. During the season, you may come across  sapodilla fruits. You might be surprised to learn that this sapodilla tree is actually 300 years old! It can be said that it emerged alongside the community.

In the past, the only way to cross the Chanthaburi River in front of the cathedral was through rowboats or hired boats. People used this mode of transportation to reach the temple to attend religious ceremonies, go to schools, visit friends and family, and participate in business activities. The first bridge linking both sides of the Chanthaburi River was built in 1975. In 2003, an unexpected disaster occurred as the bridge gave way while efforts were underway to clear the weeds. A new bridge called “Saphan Niramon” was built at the same spot and officially opened two years later. This bridge acts as a connection between the beliefs of the communities on both sides of the river and has turned into a popular destination for tourists today.