Chon Buri Province Guide: History, Towns and Local Products
Most people know Chon Buri by one name: Pattaya. But the province is also Thailand's main seaport, its highest-ranked province for human development and the home of a century-old buffalo race, all within two hours of Bangkok.
This guide covers what makes Chon Buri different from the rest of the coast: the key dates of its history, its main districts, the festivals worth planning around and the local products its makers sell. For local producers, there is also a word on finding customers outside Chon Buri.
Chon Buri
Pattaya, Ports and Buffalo Races
The Eastern Seaboard's powerhouse: Thailand's main seaport, the resort city of Pattaya and a food tradition that gave the world sriracha.
By the SnapSellGo Thailand Desk · Updated September 2026 · 8 min read
Made in Chon Buri
The province's signature products, while local sellers come online.
The "Known for" cards describe what Chon Buri is famous for; real listings take their place as soon as producers publish.
Why Chon Buri is more than Pattaya
Chon Buri sits on the Bay of Bangkok and runs the country's front door for trade: Laem Chabang, between Si Racha and Pattaya, is Thailand's main seaport, and the province is at the heart of the Eastern Economic Corridor.
That economy shows in the figures. With 976 billion baht of output in 2019 and the country's top Human Achievement Index score in 2022, Chon Buri is one of Thailand's richest provinces, and its motto still praises sea, sugar cane, bamboo rice and buffalo racing.
Thailand's main port
Laem Chabang, opened in 1991, is Thailand's busiest container port.
Pattaya
A fishing village turned resort city, with special city status since 1978.
Buffalo racing
A tradition of more than 100 years, raced every October in Chon Buri town.
The home of sriracha
The chilli sauce takes its name from Si Racha, the town where it was first made.
A short history of Chon Buri
Chon Buri has been settled since the Neolithic era. Its modern story is one of royal retreats, American bases and the rise of the Eastern Seaboard.
- 600s–1000sDvaravati-era settlements grow along the coast of the bay.
- 1892King Chulalongkorn builds a royal retreat on Ko Si Chang.
- 1933Chon Buri becomes a province in its current form.
- 1960sAmerican servicemen on leave during the Vietnam War turn Pattaya from a fishing village into a resort.
- 1978Pattaya receives special city status, with its own administration.
- 1981Lek Viriyaphant begins building the Sanctuary of Truth, an all-wood temple by the sea.
- 1991Laem Chabang deep-sea port opens.
Chon Buri district by district
Chon Buri has 11 districts and about 1.6 million residents (2024), the sixth-largest population in Thailand. Below are the districts that matter most for visitors and buyers.
| District | What you find there |
|---|---|
| Mueang Chon Buri | The provincial capital, Bang Saen beach, the buffalo races and Nong Mon market. |
| Bang Lamung | Pattaya, Jomtien and the Sanctuary of Truth. |
| Si Racha | The province's largest city, next to Laem Chabang port, and the town that named sriracha sauce. |
| Sattahip | The Royal Thai Navy's main base and Nong Nooch Tropical Garden. |
| Ko Si Chang | A small island with the ruins of King Chulalongkorn's summer palace. |
| Phanat Nikhom | Inland villages known for bamboo and rattan basketry. |
Dates to plan a trip around
Chon Buri's festivals are loud, local and very photogenic. Here are the dates worth marking.
Local specialities and the OTOP programme
OTOP labels a product by the tambon, or sub-district, that makes it, and Chon Buri's list reads like its motto. Nong Mon market sells khao lam, sticky rice roasted in bamboo tubes; Phanat Nikhom weaves fine basketry; and the coast from Bang Saen to Si Racha is known for seafood.
Si Racha is also where sriracha sauce comes from: the chilli sauce first made in the town gave its name to one of the world's best-known condiments.
Looking to buy? The carousel above fills with real items from Chon Buri as local makers list them. Selling? SnapSellGo takes no cut of your sales.
Short on time? The Sanctuary of Truth, then sunset on Jomtien. Into local life? Bang Saen and Nong Mon market on a weekend. Visiting in October? The buffalo races. Buying local? Khao lam from Nong Mon and basketry from Phanat Nikhom.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pattaya in Chon Buri province?
Yes. Pattaya is in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province, and has had special city status since 1978.
Where does sriracha sauce come from?
Sriracha sauce takes its name from Si Racha, a town in Chon Buri province where the chilli sauce was first made.
What is Laem Chabang?
Laem Chabang, between Si Racha and Pattaya, is Thailand's main deep-sea port. It opened in 1991.
When is the Chon Buri buffalo race?
The buffalo races take place every October in Chon Buri town, a tradition of more than 100 years.
Sources: Wikipedia entries for Chon Buri province, Pattaya and Laem Chabang; Chon Buri provincial motto. Population: 2024 registration data. Dates of Buddhist and lunar festivals shift every year. Cover photo: The Sanctuary of Truth by SvenErik1968, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.