Nonthaburi

Nonthaburi: Bangkok's Cool, Creative Backyard

Think you've "done" Bangkok? Think again! Welcome to Nonthaburi, the province that’s literally right next door. The border is so blurry you might not even know you've crossed it, but the vibe is a whole different world.

This is where Bangkok's urban sprawl chills out and meets the relaxed, old-school charm of the Chao Phraya River. It’s a land of sprawling night markets, giant Chinese temples, and a secret island that feels like a trip back in time. Oh, and it just so happens to grow the most expensive and famous durian in the world.

Ready for the easiest escape you'll ever take?

The Nonthaburi Bucket List: Pottery, Palaces & Produce

You can see the best of Nonthaburi in a day, but you'll want to stay for the food!

Step Back in Time on Koh Kret

This is the #1 reason to visit, and it's an absolute gem. Koh Kret is a small, man-made island in the middle of the Chao Phraya River, home to a historic Mon community. It’s a car-free oasis!

A narrow wooden boardwalk runs alongside lush greenery, leading towards a patio filled with golden statues, numerous potted plants, and a traditional Thai shrine in Koh Kret, Thailand.

Visit a Palace-Sized Chinese Temple (Wat Leng Noei Yi 2)

This place is colossal and absolutely stunning. A branch of the famous temple in Bangkok's Chinatown, Wat Borom Ratchakanchanapisek Anusorn (let's just call it Wat Leng Noei Yi 2!) is one of the biggest and most magnificent Chinese temples in Thailand. The architecture is a breathtaking masterpiece of carved wood, gold, and guardian statues. It feels more like a grand palace than a temple.

Hunt for the World's Best Durian (Seasonal)

You are now in the holy land of durian. Nonthaburi is legendary for its "Durian Non," particularly the Kan Yao (long-stem) variety, which can sell for thousands of dollars per fruit. Thanks to the rich riverside soil, the durian here is considered the best on the planet. If you're visiting in season (around April-June), trying a piece is a true bucket-list foodie experience. 👑

Eat, Shop, Repeat at the Owl Market (Talat Nok Huk)

When the sun goes down, this is where the locals go. The Owl Night Market is a massive, trendy, and super-lively market packed with endless stalls. It's a fantastic place to dive into cheap, delicious street food, hunt for vintage clothes, and just soak up the buzzing, youthful atmosphere.

How to Get There

This is the best part: it's ridiculously easy.

By Boat (The Best Way!): The most scenic route. Just hop on the Chao Phraya Express Boat (orange flag) from any main pier in Bangkok and ride it all the way to the end of the line at Nonthaburi Pier (N30). It's cheap, fun, and drops you right in the heart of the action.

By MRT: Take the MRT Purple Line to stations like Nonthaburi Civic Center to get to the modern parts of the province, or to Phra Nang Klao Bridge and then a short taxi to the pier.

By Taxi/Car: A quick 30-45 minute drive from central Bangkok (depending on the traffic, of course!).

The Provinces of Central & Western Thailand...

Wat Muang is located in Hua Taphan sub-district, Wiset Chai Chan district. It is presumed that the temple was constructed in the late Ayutthaya Era

Ang Thong

View of the Chao Phraya River looking south from Bang Rak

Bangkok

A golden Buddha statue nestled on a hillside.

Chai Nat

An ancient temple.

Kamphaeng Phet

A serene, hazy view of the long, wooden Mon Bridge in Kanchanaburi, spanning a calm lake where a small boat is cruising. Layers of forest-covered mountains are visible in the background under a soft, warm light.

Kanchanaburi

Macaque monkeys play on the green entrance sign for the ancient stone temple of Phra Prang Sam Yod in Lopburi, Thailand.

Lopburi

A high-angle, scenic view looking along the crest of the massive Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam in Nakhon Nayok, Thailand, with its reservoir on one side and a lush green valley and forested hills on the other, under a partly cloudy sky.

Nakhon Nayok

The magnificent golden stupa of Phra Pathom Chedi in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, glows against a deep blue twilight sky, with a Buddhist monk in orange robes standing in the foreground courtyard.

Nakhon Pathom

A panoramic view from a high vantage point in Nakhon Sawan, Thailand, looking out over a dramatic, forest-covered limestone peak and a vast plain of green and yellow patchwork agricultural fields stretching to the horizon under a blue, cloudy sky.

Nakhon Sawan

A traditional Thai temple with an orange-tiled roof sits in the middle of a tranquil pond in Pathum Thani, Thailand. A large, ornate Naga serpent statue encircles the structure, its body forming a walkway leading to the entrance. The building and a blue sky are reflected in the water, and the scene is framed by dark green leaves in the foreground.

Pathum Thani

A scenic view of the Wat Pha Sorn Kaew temple complex in the mountains of Phetchabun, Thailand. A massive, white seated Buddha statue and an ornate, golden pagoda are nestled in the lush green hills, with layers of distant mountains visible in the background.

Phetchabun

A white pickup truck with a boat trailer parked on the dirt shore of a large, calm lake in Phetchaburi, Thailand. In the distance, mountains line the horizon under an overcast sky, with dramatic sunbeams breaking through the clouds and shining onto the water.

Phetchaburi

The ancient brick ruins of a temple in Phichit, Thailand, are illuminated by the warm, golden light of sunset, with surrounding trees and a clear sky.

Phichit

A scenic, high-angle view of the patchwork rice paddies in Phitsanulok province, Thailand. The fields, some flooded with water and others a vibrant green, stretch towards a line of dense trees with rolling hills in the background under a cloudy sky.

Phitsanulok

The red brick ruins of the ancient temples at Ayutthaya Historical Park in Thailand, with crumbling walls in the foreground and several towering prangs against a blue sky with clouds.

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

An elevated, panoramic view of Prachuap Khiri Khan province in Thailand at sunset. A red-roofed temple is nestled in the foreground, overlooking a vast landscape of winding rivers, aquaculture farms, and a small town, with dramatic limestone mountains rising in the hazy, golden-lit background.

Prachuap Khiri Khan

A long-exposure photograph of a river with milky, flowing water cascading over smooth, dark boulders, surrounded by the lush green trees of a forest in Ratchaburi, Thailand.

Ratchaburi

A riverside view of Phra Samut Chedi in Samut Prakan, Thailand, at sunset. The chedi is brightly illuminated in pink and white, reflecting on the calm water next to a traditional temple and docked boats under a colourful sky.

Samut Prakan

A large, golden statue of a mythical bird stands before an ornate Thai temple in Samut Sakhon, featuring a multi-tiered red and gold roof, all set against a clear blue sky.

Samut Sakhon

A red and yellow train approaches on a track running directly through the center of a bustling market in Samut Songkhram, Thailand. Crowds of tourists stand inches from the track, holding up their phones to photograph the train as it passes the colourful market stalls.

Samut Songkhram

A wide stone staircase with ornate Naga serpent railings leads up to the magnificent golden Mondop of Wat Phra Phutthabat temple in Saraburi, Thailand, under a bright blue sky with white clouds.

Saraburi

A white Thai temple in Sing Buri with an ornate, multi-tiered red and gold roof. In the foreground, on a manicured green lawn, are several colourful and whimsical statues, including two large pink rabbits, a rooster, and a black elephant.

Sing Buri

An aerial view of the sprawling temple ruins at Sukhothai Historical Park in Thailand, showing numerous ancient brick stupas and pillars set amongst green lawns, trees, and ponds, with mountains visible in the distance under a warm, hazy sky.

Sukothai

A massive, golden dragon statue at the Dragon Descendants Museum in Suphan Buri, Thailand. The dragon is coiled over stylized clouds with its mouth wide open, spouting a cascade of water onto a structure below. Visitors walk on the paved plaza in front of the immense statue under a clear blue sky.

Suphan Buri

An aerial view of the Bhumibol Dam in Tak province, Thailand, a large, curved concrete structure surrounded by lush green mountains and a vast reservoir under a cloudy sky.

Tak

An ornate, multi-tiered golden temple in Uthai Thani, Thailand, featuring intricate gables and numerous pointed spires set against a bright blue sky with fluffy white clouds. In the foreground is a manicured garden with red flowers and green hedges.

Uthai Thani