Faasai Resort and Spa Invites Travellers to Explore Chanthaburi on Thailand's Southeast Coast and Learn About Gemstones, Waterfalls and Ancient Siamese history

Faasai Resort and Spa is inviting guests to take a tour of Chanthaburi, which they describe as a "hidden gem" - an elegant city steeped in history and rich in natural beauty. Travellers can visit gemstone markets, museums, temples, the largest cathedral in Thailand, and stroll along a river bank lined with old Chinese shop houses. The award-winning resort is also offering guests a combination town and waterfall tour, where they can cool off after walking city streets by swimming with the fishes under the waterfall, Namtok Plieu,

Chanthaburi, Thailand (PRWEB) June 20, 2012

Faasai Resort and Spa has announced new tours to explore the ancient Siamese river port of Chanthaburi. The area was an important trading post, rich in forest products such as timber, ivory, incense and spices and is now a major fruit-growing and gemstone center, famed for its rubies and sapphires. This provincial center on Thailand's Southeast Coast is also a gateway to Cambodia and the islands of Eastern Thailand.
The owner-manager of the resort Bronwen Evans says many visitors to Chanthaburi are struck by the elegance of the city, with its boulevard around the lake, well-preserved historic center and beautifully laid-out streets, landscaped with flowers and topiary sculptures.
"Chanthaburi was once occupied by France and there are still many traces of the French influence there including Thailand's largest French-style cathedral which is in the old part of town by the river."
Bangkok-based journalist Michael Elmore said the province of Chanthaburi is like a miniature Thailand - a land of natural wonders including beaches, mountains, tropical forests, rivers and waterfalls, and some of the county's largest mangroves.
"You can explore ancient royal and colonial history, and visit temples and fishing villages that have retained their old charm in this picturesque province bordering Cambodia," he said.
Stuart Heaver, a journalist from Hong Kong, described Chanthaburi as a lovely Asian city which has retained much of its traditional character.
"Chanthaburi has a rich history as a trading area for the Chinese, who came in their sailing junks in search of the hardwoods and other forest products more than five centuries ago. You can see why those early traders made the effort, if you take a visit into the charming city of Chanthaburi."
Sharing a mountain border with Cambodia, Chantaburi was once part of the Khmer Empire, but was absorbed into Thai territory around 500 years ago, Bronwen said.
"Apart from the French influence, there is also a large Vietnamese community and many beautiful Chinese temples. One of the famous dishes of Chanthaburi is rice noodles, which were brought to Chanthaburi by the Vietnamese immigrants," she said.
She adds that the city is probably best known for its weekend gem market, as traders from all corners of the world come to buy and sell precious and semi-precious stones.
"Around 50 percent of the world's gemstones pass through the Chanthaburi markets, which are open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday."
The resort's half day trips to Chanthaburi for up to four people cost Baht 1500, or around $50, while day-trips cost approximately $85, while a combined tour of the city and waterfall costs around $120.
About Faasai Resort and Spa
Faasai Resort and Spa is a 14 room eco-resort in Chanthaburi, Thailand about 200 kilometers southeast of Bangkok. Contact details: www.faasai.com. Tel: (+66 86 889 2595 (Bronwen) +66 81 3426234 (office)
Awards won by Faasai Resort and Spa

    *     Best Small Hotel Thailand Green Awards 2011
    *     Green award and special award for cultivation and use of herbs and spices from the Governor of Chanthaburi 2011
    *     Outstanding service to the environment and nature in the Eastern region - Thailand Boutique Awards 2010
    *     Best Small Hotel Thailand Green Awards 2009.
    *     Runner-up in the budget category in the 2008 Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards.

Sourced: sfgate