What to Do in Chachoengsao – Activities, Markets & Cultural Sites
Chachoengsao offers a refreshing blend of spirituality, rural charm, and cultural heritage. Whether you’re into temples, food, or eco-farms, here are the best things to do in this lesser-known province east of Bangkok.
Stroll through the 100-Year-Old Ban Mai Market
Set along the Bang Pakong River, Ban Mai Market is a step back in time. Once a thriving Chinese trading hub, it now operates as a nostalgic riverside market open on weekends. The wooden shophouses and traditional snacks like chaenglon (grilled fish cakes), kanom tuay (coconut custard), and hoi jo (crab rolls) evoke old-school Thai-Chinese flavors.
A highlight is the private Coca-Cola museum, where one local collector showcases vintage memorabilia and Japanese porcelain inside his home.
Discover Chinese temples and shrines
Chachoengsao is rich in Chinese-Thai spiritual landmarks:
- Wat Chin Pracha Samoson or Wat Leng Hok Yi: Built in 1906, this temple reflects feng shui beliefs and houses papier-mâché statues of heavenly gods and Buddhas.
- Wat Uphai Phatikaram: Famous for its Buddha with a dragon base and visited by King Chulalongkorn in 1907.
- Eight Immortals Shrine or Viharn 8 Sian (วิหาร 8 เซียน): Modeled after Beijing Palace, it features vibrant murals, grand sculptures, and a park with 18 Arhats. Built in 2011, it’s a hub for preserving Chinese traditions.
Wat Saman Rattanaram, the giant pink statue of Ganesh
Without a doubt the most iconic site in Chachoengsao is Wat Saman Rattanaram with its famous giant pink statue of Ganesh.
Visit Mini Murrah Farm
Located in Ban Pho district, Mini Murrah Farm is a family-run dairy farm promoting organic agriculture. Great for kids and families, it offers workshops on buffalo care, rice farming, pizza-making, and more — all using buffalo milk products.
The Moo Moo Café serves Thai-Western fusion dishes and desserts made from buffalo dairy — a great alternative for the lactose-intolerant.
Taste coconuts at Uncle Daeng’s Orchard
In Bang Khla district, Uncle Daeng’s Fragrant Coconut Garden is set under 2,000 trees. Known for its award-winning aromatic coconuts, the farm opens seasonally with a restaurant and café serving dishes like grilled prawns, pad Thai with coconut, and coconut chiffon cake.
Weekend visitors can try coconut coffee, coconut pink milk, and other creative drinks under the shade of palm trees.
A slow and local getaway
Chachoengsao is perfect for a relaxed cultural break. Its blend of markets, temples, food and farming offers an immersive Thai experience — far from the tourist crowds.
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