Chonburi Province lies on the eastern coast of Thailand, facing the Gulf of Thailand within Southeast Asia. It is one of the country's most visited coastal provinces, and its character is shaped by two very different sides: a lively beach resort scene and a working industrial coast.
The beach and the resort city
The best-known place in the province is Pattaya, a beach resort city that draws visitors throughout the year. Here the visit is largely about the sea, the sand and the evening life that gathers along the shore and in the streets behind it. Pattaya suits travellers who want an easy base, a wide choice of places to eat and stay, and a busy, sociable atmosphere.
Industry along the Gulf coast
Beyond the resorts, Chonburi is also home to important industrial centres along the Gulf of Thailand coast. For many visitors this side of the province is less about sightseeing and more a sign of how the region fits into the wider Thai economy, which gives the coast a different texture from the quieter stretches of Thailand's shoreline.
Who the province suits
Chonburi works well for a few kinds of trip:
- A beach holiday with a lively town close at hand
- A stop on a wider journey through eastern Thailand
- A look at how coastal resort life and industry sit side by side
Because the province combines resort and industrial areas, it is worth choosing where to stay with care, depending on whether you want a busy seafront or a quieter base.
