Looking for a fun weekend getaway from the capital? Chachoengsao, 80 kilometres to the east of Bangkok, is among the great trips you can enjoy with friends or family members. Of course, photo opportunities abound at both familiar attractions and new ones.
- 1. Pay homage to the principal Buddha image of Wat Sothonwararam.
- 2. Visit the Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Centre.
- 3. Enjoy a relaxing lunch at Life House Café & Kitchen.
- 4. Marvel at the golden ubosot of Wat Pak Nam Jolo.
- 5. Learn how to make pottery at Koomwimarndin.
- Getting there
- Besides driving, you can get to Chachoengsao by public transportation; such as, minivan and train.
- By minivan:
- Rangsit – Chachoengsao Tel. 086 369 3881
- Bangkok (Mochit) – Chachoengsao Tel. 089 498 5678
- By train:
- Many trains leave daily from Hua Lamphong Station to Chachoengsao. For further details, call 1690 or visit www.railway.co.th
If you are driving, stop for a local breakfast on the way at Talat Khlong Suan Roi Pi on Khlong Prawat Burirom. This canal-side market is very colourful in the early morning. The area around Wat Sothonwararam is also a good place with many food shops.
- Open daily from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
https://goo.gl/maps/RSztC3W33nDTNLqN9
Wat Sothonwararam 
This temple is undoubtedly Chachoengsao’s best-known religious place, as it is home to the revered Buddha Image, Luang Pho Sothon. The temple, whose origins date back to the late Ayutthaya period, is located on the bank of the Bang Pakong River. While most locals come to pay respect to Luangpho Sothon, the temple’s architecture is exquisite and worthy of a visit in its own right.
According to legend, Luangpho Sothon has been enshrined at this temple since the early Thon Buri period in 1770, after the Buddha image was seen “ miraculously reverse floating” along the river.
If you want to have a boat tour of the Bang Pakong River, contact the temple officials for further information.
Thep Kunakon, Tambon Na Mueang, Amphoe Mueang, Chachoengsao
038 511 048- https://goo.gl/maps/UorJm23oh2JwvnCj6
Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Centre 
The Khao Hin Sorn Royal Development Study Centre was initiated by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great to revive a plot of degraded land in Chachoengsao’s Phanom Sarakham District. It has successfully brought an ecological balance to the 1,869-rai (299.04 hectares) of land and become a model for sustainable development in other areas.
The Centre features various zones among them a soil museum and demonstration and experimental fields for agriculture and livestock, arts and crafts, an herbal forest plantation project, and more.
An herbal steam and massage centre is open on Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Please contact the centre in advance for details.
Even if you are not keen on learning about anything, the Centre is still a perfect place for pleasure and relaxation amidst a natural environment.
You can also buy something delicious or attractive from its souvenir shop.
A group visit can be arranged by contacting the Centre at least a week in advance.
- 7 Mu 2, Tambon Khao Hin Sorn, Amphoe Phanom Sarakam, Chachoengsao
Open daily from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.- 038 554 982, 038 554 983, 081 686 0639
- https://goo.gl/maps/2nfKcSQie8KLGNqm8
Life House Café & Kitchen 
We recommend this café if you’re looking for a place to break for lunch. It is in a vast garden adjacent to the Phanom Sarakam Intersection.
The Café serves both Thai and international cuisine along with bakery items and has an extensive beverage menu.
Customers enjoy its homey décor.
The outdoor garden is a delightful place with a tree house and cute wall paintings – definitely photogenic! A plus is that your beloved cats and dogs are also welcome.
- 7 Mu 2, Tambon Khao Hin Sorn, Amphoe Phanom Sarakham, Chachoengsao
- Café: open daily from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (closed every 3rd Tuesday of the month) from 10:30 a.m. 0 6:00 p.m. (Last order 5:30 p.m.)
- 083 245 3646
- https://goo.gl/maps/vzudAUEQ7cJ7Syu89
Wat Pak Nam Jolo
This is Thailand’s only temple with a golden ubosot. It is on the bank of the Bang Pakong River and has origins that might go back to the late Ayutthaya period.
It is believed that the area around the temple was once a Burmese military base while they were battling with the army of King Taksin the Great, who eventually prevailed.
The golden ubosot houses the principal Buddha image in the gesture of subduing Mara. Locals believe that walking under the platform on which the image is seated brings prosperity.
A statue of King Taksin the Great stands in the temple grounds and a century-old wooden boat is on display at the pavilion in the back. You can enjoy a view of the Bang Pakong River from here.
- Wanaphuti Tambon Pak Nam, Amphoe Bang Kla, Chachoengsao
- 085 398 4555
- https://goo.gl/maps/nHV97oMtSNtUb7c47
Koomwimarndin 
You can have a good time learning about earthenware or making your own piece in a workshop at Koomwimarndin, a pottery set in a large garden. The pottery locally sources clay, its main material, from the surrounding area.
The 8-rai (1.3 hectares) area of Koomwimarndin is full of plants. Visitors enjoy the greenery while learning how to make pottery or relax at its airy wooden cafeteria.
Its souvenir shop is stocked with super cute pottery in various shapes and sizes at affordable prices.
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- Fee
- Admission: 30 Baht a person with the ticket applicable for a discount of the ticket value Pottery workshop includes only moulding clay – 100 Baht/piece with an extra fee for:
Firing at 50 Baht/piece (done in bulk later).- Domestic parcel service at 99 Baht/piece (1 piece per box).
- Koomwimarndin is open only on weekends and holidays, but a group of at least 30 persons can visit and attend the workshop every day by making a reservation in advance.
- 121/1 Mu 3, Tambon Khlong Khuean, Amphoe Khlong Khuean, Chachoengsao
- Open Sat-Sun from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- 093 595 9429
- https://goo.gl/maps/f9EcbiwiduMHUzea6
