🇹🇭 Chon Buri, Thailand
Backpacker's Place
📍 Chon Buri
Your stay — Backpacker's Place
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Chon Buri.
The Property — Backpacker's Place
Backpacker's Place is a no-frills, clean and cheerful spot on a quiet soi just off the Pattaya beach road. The lobby feels like a backpacker common room: mismatched sofas, a noticeboard piled with tour flyers, and the faint smell of Thai green curry from the attached restaurant. It suits solo travellers or pairs who want a cheap, safe base within walking distance of Walking Street and the beachfront. The USP is the price — you get a decent bed and a functioning air-con for the cost of a pub dinner back home.
Chronicles of Chon Buri
Chon Buri city was historically a small fishing and trading port, with its name meaning 'city of water' — a nod to the Bang Pakong River estuary. The area boomed in the 20th century as Pattaya, 15 km to the south, grew from a sleepy fishing village into Thailand's most notorious beach resort during the Vietnam War, when US servicemen turned it into a rest-and-recreation destination. Today, Chon Buri province is an industrial powerhouse, home to the Laem Chabang deep-sea port and sprawling factory estates, but the city centre retains a workaday Thai feel, with wet markets, noodle stalls, and a distinct lack of beach glamour. Culturally, it's a mix of Isan migrants, local Thai-Chinese families, and a growing expat population drawn by affordable living. The architectural landscape is a jumble of shophouses, concrete apartment blocks, and glittering new shopping malls on the outskirts.
Best Time to Visit
Full Chon Buri guide →Best months
December and January are cool and dry, with average highs around 30°C and low humidity, making beach time and exploring comfortable. February is also good, though crowds start to swell for the Chinese New Year period.
Peak / festival surge
Peak is April for Songkran (Thai New Year), when Pattaya hosts massive water fights and the streets are packed with Thai and international revellers. Hotel prices in Pattaya jump by 50-100% during these two weeks, and the city gridlocks. The nearby Full Moon Party in Koh Phangan (same period) also pulls crowds to the region.
Budget shoulder season
The best shoulder months are late May and June, when the rainy season has just started. You get occasional afternoon downpours but far fewer tourists, hotel rates drop by 30-40%, and the air is still warm without oppressive heat. September and October are also good value, but with more rain.
Weather & packing
Chon Buri's climate quirk is that even in the 'rainy season', mornings are often sunny and sticky — the rain usually hits in short, heavy bursts around 3pm. Pack a lightweight rain jacket or a compact umbrella, and always carry a spare dry T-shirt in your daypack.
Live City Briefing — Chon Buri
- Pattaya's new 'Hop-On Hop-Off' bus service now connects the southern edge (Pratumnak Hill) to Jomtien Beach, offering a cheaper alternative to songthaews — useful if you're staying at Backpacker's Place and want to explore beyond Walking Street.
- The Chon Buri beachfront road (Soi 6 area) is undergoing a six-month drainage upgrade from March 2026, causing some lane closures and noise near the hotel. Check if works affect your taxi drop-off point.
- The annual 'Chon Buri Buffalo Race' usually takes place in early October at Ko Nongjok, a short drive north — worth planning around if you're here then, though it draws big local crowds.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Backpacker's Place, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a ground-floor dorm room if you have mobility issues, as there is step-free access and no lift. For private rooms, ask for one on the first floor (one flight up) to minimise stair climbing while still being off the ground floor where reception can be busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room above the second floor — stairs only, no lift, and third-floor walks are tiring with bags. Also skip rooms directly above reception or facing Beach Road if you want quiet; street noise from traffic along 123/45 Beach Road can carry, especially at ground level.
Best views
The hotel faces Beach Road in central Chon Buri, so upper-floor private rooms (second floor) might have a partial sea view over the street, but don't expect more than a glimpse of the gulf between buildings. Ground floor dorms have no view.
Quietest floors
First-floor private rooms are the quietest — set back from street-level noise and above reception bustle, with only one flight of stairs to climb.
🔊 Noise notes
Beach Road is a main road in Muang district, with motorbike and songthaew traffic from early morning until late evening. The hotel has no soundproofing mentioned; request a room at the back of the building if available (ask at check-in) to reduce road noise. Street parking is first-come so expect car doors and engine sounds from early risers.
Insider tips
1. Arrive before 6pm to grab free street parking on Beach Road — spaces fill fast. Otherwise, the paid car park 200m away costs 50 THB per night and is safer. 2. If you're in a private room, bring earplugs for traffic noise on Beach Road; the WiFi is steady but slow (10Mbps), so don't plan on streaming HD video.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Backpacker's Place
Free for all guests; speed around 10 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up, no login required.
No lift – stairs only to all floors. Ground floor rooms available for guests with mobility needs.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. A small book-swap shelf in the common area.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available from 09:00. Check-out by 11:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs 200 THB, subject to availability.
Free on day of check-in/out; longer storage 50 THB per bag per day.
Step-free access to ground floor only (reception and two dorm rooms). Upper floors and all private rooms require stairs. No wheelchair-accessible toilet or shower.
No on-site parking; free street parking along Beach Road (limited, first-come first-served). Nearest paid public car park is 200 metres away, 50 THB per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no additional city or tourist tax for this property)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a refundable incidentals hold of 500 THB taken at check-in (cash or card imprint)
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: มัสยิด ตออะติ้ลละห์ (1.3 km · ~17 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Premium Outlet Pattaya — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
Water-ecology Museum — 2.3 km · ~28 min walk
D'Luck Cinematic Theatre — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 465 m · ~6 min walk
Fascino — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
7-Eleven — 400 m · ~5 min walk
Minibus to Cambodian Border — 1.3 km · ~17 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Use SuperRich or other money exchangers in town for best rates; avoid airport and hotel counters which give poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in major shops and hotels; smaller restaurants, markets and street stalls prefer cash. Contactless is not widely used.
Not expected, but round up taxi fares or leave 20-50 baht for good service in restaurants. Hotel porters appreciate 20-40 baht.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local iced coffee or espresso from a street cart or small café — about 35-50 baht.
Simple Thai rice or noodle dish from a street stall or local eatery — around 50-80 baht.
Stir-fry or curry with rice at a local restaurant — about 80-120 baht for a main dish.
Beside main roads and markets, especially along Sukhumvit Road and near Jomtien Beach; evenings offer grilled meats, som tam, and noodle soups.
Big C, Lotus's, and Tops Market are the standard supermarket chains in this area.
Local markets like the Chon Buri Night Bazaar for cheap clothing and accessories; also check mall sales at Central Chon Buri.
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) — 10-20 baht for short hops; from Bangkok, take a bus from Ekkamai or Mo Chit terminals for about 100-130 baht.
Eat street food and local restaurants instead of tourist-oriented spots; use songthaews not taxis; negotiate prices at markets.
Good to know — Chon Buri
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.62 · THB
Emergency Contacts
Chon BuriTourist police 1155 (English support). For Pattaya area, Pattaya City Hospital: +66 38 427 555. General emergencies: 191 is the main line; note that English may be limited.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Chon Buri, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Backpacker's Place
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 465 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Fascino — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Chon Buri Bus Terminal → Near Kudos Parc Hotel (Thong Noppakhun Road)
💡 Wave down a blue songthaew — they run fixed routes. Tell the driver 'Kudos Parc' or 'Thong Noppakhun' and hop off when you see the hotel. Exact change required.
Bangkok's Ekkamai Bus Terminal → Chon Buri Bus Terminal
💡 Get off at Chon Buri town stop, then take a 5-minute songthaew (10 THB) to the hotel. The bus is air-conditioned and comfortable.
Chon Buri town centre → Kudos Parc Hotel
💡 Use the Grab app for a fixed price — cheaper than flagging a meter. Local tuk-tuks charge around 80 THB for the same route.
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) → Kudos Parc Hotel, Chon Buri
💡 Book at the official taxi counter on Level 1 (arrivals) to avoid touts. Meter plus airport surcharge — ask for the expressway route to save time.
About Chon Buri
Wikipedia ↗
Chonburi (Thai: ชลบุรี, RTGS: Chon Buri, IAST: jalapurī, pronounced [tɕ͡ʰōn bù.rīː] ) is the capital of Chonburi Province and, as part of the district Mueang Chonburi, the seventh-largest city in Thailand. It is about 100 km southeast of Bangkok, on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand, and has an urba...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Backpacker's Place?
Request a ground-floor dorm room if you have mobility issues, as there is step-free access and no lift. For private rooms, ask for one on the first floor (one flight up) to minimise stair climbing while still being off the ground floor where reception can be busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at Backpacker's Place?
Avoid any room above the second floor — stairs only, no lift, and third-floor walks are tiring with bags. Also skip rooms directly above reception or facing Beach Road if you want quiet; street noise from traffic along 123/45 Beach Road can carry, especially at ground level.
Is Backpacker's Place noisy?
Beach Road is a main road in Muang district, with motorbike and songthaew traffic from early morning until late evening. The hotel has no soundproofing mentioned; request a room at the back of the building if available (ask at check-in) to reduce road noise. Street parking is first-come so expect car doors and engine sounds from early risers.
Which rooms have the best views at Backpacker's Place?
The hotel faces Beach Road in central Chon Buri, so upper-floor private rooms (second floor) might have a partial sea view over the street, but don't expect more than a glimpse of the gulf between buildings. Ground floor dorms have no view.
What are insider tips for staying at Backpacker's Place?
1. Arrive before 6pm to grab free street parking on Beach Road — spaces fill fast. Otherwise, the paid car park 200m away costs 50 THB per night and is safer. 2. If you're in a private room, bring earplugs for traffic noise on Beach Road; the WiFi is steady but slow (10Mbps), so don't plan on streaming HD video.
What time is check-in at Backpacker's Place?
Check-in at Backpacker's Place is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Backpacker's Place have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; speed around 10 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up, no login required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Backpacker's Place?
None (no additional city or tourist tax for this property)
Where can I eat cheaply near Backpacker's Place?
Simple Thai rice or noodle dish from a street stall or local eatery — around 50-80 baht.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Backpacker's Place?
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) — 10-20 baht for short hops; from Bangkok, take a bus from Ekkamai or Mo Chit terminals for about 100-130 baht.
When is the best time to visit Chon Buri?
December and January are cool and dry, with average highs around 30°C and low humidity, making beach time and exploring comfortable. February is also good, though crowds start to swell for the Chinese New Year period.
Top Attractions in Chon Buri
💡 Arrive by 09:00 to catch the morning tiger show before crowds. Bring water—drinks inside are overpriced. The crocodile show is included in the free entry.
💡 Visit before 19:00 to avoid crowds and see the strip come alive. Street food here is double the local price—eat on side sois for better value.
💡 Go late afternoon to avoid heat and catch sunset over the bay. Bring small coins for donation boxes and keep bags zipped—monkeys grab loose items.
💡 Hire a bicycle from shops near the pier for 40 baht per hour. The nearby Bangsaen Weekend Market (Sat-Sun) offers cheap grilled seafood starting at 30 baht.
💡 Rent a bicycle at the main gate (50 baht) to cover the 8km loop. Buy bags of carrots or bananas from vendors outside the zoo for 20 baht to feed the giraffes legally.