I first heard the word “Chachoengsao” seven or eight years ago, during my second stint living in Bangkok. A local friend of mine (one, notably, who had a car) had gone up to the province for the weekend, in order to enjoy its cafe culture.
At the time, I did a quick Google search; nothing I saw especially interested me, certainly not enough to leave my comfortable Bangkok cocoon behind. I more or less forgot about the place.
Earlier this year, however, I finally ticked it off my bucket list—well, to the extent that it was ever there. So, is Chachoengsao worth visiting? Let’s discuss that question.
Why Chachoengsao Flies Under the Radar
The topic of this post notwithstanding, I sort of don’t think the question for many tourists is whether Chachoengsao is worth visiting or not. Indeed, as I referenced in the intro, there are a certain number of foreign travelers who probably don’t realize that such a place exists at all! For those that do, however, the issue is really logistics and transportation—how will you get there, and how will you get around once you do?
This ends up creating a cycle, whereby few non-Thais write or post about Chachoengsao, which further lessens the number of English speakers who know or care about it. In writing what I have today, I’m doing my best to stop that proverbial bleeding, though I realize my own ability to do so might be limited. But if I can inspire you to visit, dear reader, I think I’ll have done my job!
How to Explore Chachoengsao
Get there
Unless you have your own car, getting to Chachoengsao is kind of a pain. You either need to ride a hopelessly slow train (which can take up to twice as long as driving) from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station, or a sometimes-dangerous minivan from Ekkamai. Alternatively, you could haggle a round-trip rate with a Bangkok taxi driver.
Sort out how to get around
In this case, then, it is conceivable that your transport from Bangkok to Chachoengsao (and back) will “include” transport around the province. If not, then the good news is that plenty of tuk-tuk and motorbike taxi drivers are waiting at both the train and bus station, and can be hired for relatively cheap. You can also rent your own motorbike, though I don’t recommend this unless you are experienced.
Pick a temple, any temple
When I went with my husband, his niece and my mother-in-law, I was excited to see the (shall we say) more “colorful” temples of Chachoengsao, including the Wat Saman Rattanaram “Ganesha” temple, and the golden Wat Pak Nam. My mother-in-law, however, probably would’ve only gone to Wat Sothorn (which is extremely traditional) if she’d had a choice in the matter.
(Or all of them)
Thankfully, on a Chachoengsao day trip unencumbered by extended family (love you maa gai!), you don’t have to pick and choose. You can also visit the “standing” Khlong Khuean Ganesh, whose scale is almost impossible to appreciate unless you see it both from far away and from close-up. You can also book a Chachoengsao day tour from Bangkok, which includes all these places and more.
Decide how to feed yourself
The bad news? I didn’t find myself terribly impressed by Chachoengsao’s highly-reputed cafe culture, though to be fair, I didn’t have my own set of wheels or the ability to dig deep into it. The good news? We did visit the charming Windmill Cafe. Although the fare was very standard Thai (no Dutch food here!), its design was cute. My husband’s niece really enjoyed the round window!
Should You Stay the Night in Chachoengsao?
Chachoengsao is not a popular overnight destination, even among Thais. After all, most people who visit the province come for the day (or, more often, for part of the day) from Chonburi, Samut Prakan or even Bangkok. It’s simply not far away to justify spending the night, at least not in the majority of cases. This, of course, does not answer the question I’ve posed.
Indeed, if you decide to examine the topic of how many days in Chachoengsao (to posit, in other words, whether you might actually need more than one), I’d like to at least provide you with some options. There’s nothing especially high-end in Chachoengsao, though you can stay in a proper hotel like Wish Hotel if an apart-hotel such as Kesorn Boutique Residence doesn’t suit you.
Other FAQ About Visiting Chachoengsao
What is Chachoengsao famous for?
Chachoengsao is famous for the wide variety of temples scattered along the Bang Pakong River that runs through it. This includes more avant-garden examples such as Wat Saman Rattanaram (aka the “Ganesha” temple), and the more typical Thai temple at Wat Sothorn.
What does Chachoengsao mean?
A Khmer phrase meaning “deep canal,” the name of Chachoengsao is not actually Thai, which in some ways is appropriate given how eclectic both the architectural and spiritual influences of the province are. Interestingly, most Thais I speak with do not know this fact off the top of their head.
How to get from Bangkok to Chachoengsao?
If you don’t have your own car, you can get to Chachoengsao by train (from Hua Lamphong Station), by bus or minivan (from Ekkamai) or by private taxi. Do note that once you arrive in Chachoengsao, there is no public transport. You’ll need to hire a tuk-tuk or motorbike for the day in order to get around.
The Bottom Line
Is Chachoengsao worth visiting? It’s a complicated question. If you plan to be relatively nearly (in Sriracha, for example) and have access to your own set of wheels, then there’s definitely enough in Chachoengsao to keep you occupied and entertained. If, on the other hand, you’re in Bangkok and beholden to public transport, the answer is less clear. Do you speak Thai well-enough to negotiate a fair deal for an all-day tuk-tuk hire, or do you mind the prospect of being made to pay double or even triple because you don’t? No matter what your answer ends up being, I do hope you’ll consider hiring me to plan your Thailand trip.
