About Chachoengsao Province
Chachoengsao, often shortened to Paet Riu, lies along the Bang Pakong River about 80 km east of Bangkok and is best known to Thais as a province of major temple pilgrimages. Wat Sothon Wararam houses Luang Pho Sothon, one of the country's most revered Buddha images, while Wat Saman Rattanaram's giant reclining pink Ganesha has become a viral domestic tourism magnet. The province also has riverside markets, old shophouse districts, and easy access from Bangkok by suburban train.
Key facts
- Population
- 720,718 (2020)
- Area
- 5,351 km²
- Density
- 135 / km²
- Districts
- 11
- Capital
- Chachoengsao
- ISO code
- TH-24
All 11 districts
Ban Pho · Bang Khla · Bang Nam Priao · Bang Pakong · Khlong Khuean · Mueang Chachoengsao · Phanom Sarakham · Plaeng Yao · Ratchasan · Sanam Chai Khet · Tha Takiap
Top Highlights
Wat Sothon Wararam
home of the highly revered Luang Pho Sothon Buddha image
Wat Saman Rattanaram
a giant reclining pink Ganesha and themed temple grounds
Wat Pho Bang Khla
a riverside temple famous for its colony of large fruit bats
Ban Mai Market
a century-old Thai-Chinese shophouse market by the river
Getting There
Chachoengsao is about 1–1.5 hours by car from Bangkok via Highway 304 or the eastern motorway. Suburban trains run frequently from Hua Lamphong to Chachoengsao station, and buses depart from Ekkamai and Mo Chit terminals.
Inside Chachoengsao
Districts (11)
Ban Pho ·Bang Khla ·Bang Nam Priao ·Bang Pakong ·Khlong Khuean ·Mueang Chachoengsao ·Phanom Sarakham ·Plaeng Yao ·Ratchasan ·Sanam Chai Khet ·Tha Takiap
Mapped in Chachoengsao
60 places of interest recorded in OpenStreetMap. Coverage is contributed by volunteers and varies by area, so treat these as a guide to what is mapped rather than a complete inventory.
- 37Temples
- 10Attractions
- 6Markets
- 5Historic sites
- 1Waterfalls
- 1Family attractions
Named examples
- Wat Klang Bang Pakong
- Wat Ket Samoson
- Wat Pho Bang Khla (Bat Temple)
- Wat Paknam Tha Khai
- Wat Sman
- PlangYao
- Bangkhla Floating Market
- Baan Mai Market 100 years
© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Harvested 2026-08-01.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore more Thai provinces
Browse all 76 province guides
Sources
Facts on this page last checked 1 August 2026.
- 1.Q334906 — population, area, districts, coordinates — Wikidata (Wikidata), retrieved 1 August 2026
- 2.Background reading — Wikipedia (Wikipedia), retrieved 1 August 2026Linked for context; no text is reproduced from it.
- 3.Official provincial website — Provincial administration (Official source), retrieved 1 August 2026
Was this page helpful?
ThailandKnowledge Editorial Team
Factual claims on this page are sourced and dated. Where something could not be verified, we say so rather than guessing.
Our editorial standards