Essentials
- City
- Chon Buri City, Chon Buri Province, Thailand
- Population
- 1,550,000 (Metropolitan area)
- Internet Speed
- Average 150-300 Mbps; Fiber is standard in condos
- Currency & Banking
- Thai Baht (THB); 1 USD ≈ 36 THB, 1 EUR ≈ 39 THB
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; 1.5L bottled water ≈ 15 THB at 7-Eleven
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A, B, C sockets
- SIM Card
- AIS, DTAC, TrueMove H; 5G unlimited plans ≈ 699-899 THB/month
- Banking for Expats
- Kasikornbank (K-Bank), Bangkok Bank; PromptPay QR widespread
- Accommodation
- Modern condos like The Kump Condominium (Amata) or Lumpini
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, PromptPay and credit cards in malls; cash for street food
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com; Approx. 12,000 - 18,000 THB/month
- Budget Accommodation
- Napa Garden Hotel, approx. 600 THB/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Bang Saen (Beachfront) for relaxing and seafood
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Amata Nakorn for business proximity or Bang Saen for lifestyle
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Box Cafe and Coworking (Bang Saen); Day pass approx. 200 THB
- Best Cafe for Work
- Red Temp Coffee (Khao Sam Muk); Great views and high-speed Wi-Fi
- Networking Events
- Chonburi Chamber of Commerce meetings (focused on manufacturing/logistics)
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Chonburi/Eastern Seaboard monthly meetups
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Grab, Bolt, and InDrive; Bolt is usually 30% cheaper
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Local shops in Bang Saen; Approx. 200-300 THB/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Bang Saen Beach; 15 mins from city center
- Top Regional Airline
- Bangkok Airways (Flying from BKK/U-Tapao)
- Top International Airline
- Thai Airways, Emirates (via Suvarnabhumi BKK airport)
- Highway Access
- Motorway Route 7 and Sukhumvit Road (Route 3)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Chon Buri Railway Station (Eastern Line to Bangkok/Pattaya)
- Public Transport Passes
- No unified card; Songthaews (Blue trucks) are flat 10-20 THB
- Regional Travel
- Minivans to Bangkok (Ekkamai) for 100-120 THB from Central Chonburi
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Samitivej Chonburi Hospital; International standards, English speaking
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Ananda Chonburi; Classes approx. 350 THB
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Jetts 24 Hour Fitness (Central Chonburi); ~1,600 THB/month
- Laundry Services
- Otteri Wash & Dry (Self-service); 40-60 THB per load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- GrabFood, FoodPanda, Lineman
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Khao Lam (Sticky rice in bamboo); 40-70 THB in Nong Mon Market
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Khun Lin Vegetarian (Near Central); Dishes from 50 THB
- Best Dessert Spots
- Way Coffee House (Bang Saen); Pastries approx. 120 THB
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Central Chonburi and Lotus’s Chonburi
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Lazada, Shopee, TikTok Shop
- Grocery Delivery
- Tops Online, HappyFresh
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Bang Saen Beach Road (Walking Street area)
- Local Brewery
- Stone Head Thai Craft Beer (Available at local craft bars like Hops Addict)
- Wine Bars
- The Wine Chonburi (Near the coastline)
- Street Food Stalls
- Nong Mon Market; Famous for dried seafood and sweets
- Popular International Cuisine
- Sizzler (Central Chonburi) or Pepper Lunch
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Sanctuary of Truth (nearby in Pattaya) or Khao Sam Muk viewpoint
- Museums & Art Venues
- Institute of Marine Science (Bangsaen Aquarium); Entry 220 THB (foreigners)
- Historical Sites
- Wat Yai Intharam (Old royal temple dating to Ayutthaya period)
- Religious Sites
- Naja Saeue Chue Shrine (Ang Sila); Large Chinese temple
- Annual Events
- Chonburi Buffalo Racing Festival (October); Bang Saen Songkran (April)
- Cultural Districts
- Ang Sila (Historic stone-carving and fishing village)
- Theater Venues
- Central Chonburi SFX Cinema for major releases
- Local Markets
- Ang Sila Fish Market; Fresh seafood daily
- Music Scene
- Live bands daily at Scandic Bang Sean
- Street Art
- Bang Saen Soi 4 (Graffiti and mural walls)
- Cooking Classes
- Local workshops often hosted by Burapha University
- Art Galleries
- Baan Silapa (House of Art) Bang Saen
- Historic Buildings
- Phra Chutamanee Pavilion (King Rama V era styles nearby)
- Local Heritage
- Oyster farming heritage in the Ang Sila coastal area
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Khao Kheow Open Zoo; 30 mins drive from city
- National Parks Nearby
- Khao Khitchakut (approx. 2 hours away); Khao Chompu Wildlife Sanctuary
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Bang Saen Beachfront promenade (approx. 5km path)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Khao Sam Muk (Monkey Hill); View of the Gulf of Thailand
- Birdwatching Locations
- Bang Phra Reservoir
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Not permitted on public beaches; private villas only
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Kerry Express, Flash Express, Thailand Post
- Tech Repair Services
- BaNANA IT or IT City (Central Chonburi branches)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Chonburi Provincial Administrative Organization Stadium
- Language Classes
- Language Center at Burapha University (BUU)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Burapha University Library (Public access with fee)
- Community Centers
- Chonburi Sports Complex
- Gaming Lounges
- G-Speed E-Sport (Bang Saen branch)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Thailand; Underground only (not recommended)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 65,000 THB/m² (Ex: 30m² = 1.95M THB)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 45,000 THB/m² (Ex: 30m² = 1.35M THB)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 60,000 THB/m² (Ex: 45m² = 2.7M THB)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 40,000 THB/m² (Ex: 45m² = 1.8M THB)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 55,000 THB/m² (Ex: 70m² = 3.85M THB)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 38,000 THB/m² (Ex: 70m² = 2.66M THB)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% (Standard rate in Thailand)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (staying >180 days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35%
- VAT
- 7%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No formal CFC rules, but transfer pricing rules apply
- Property Tax
- 0.02% to 0.1% for residential, based on appraised value
- Property Transaction Tax
- Transfer fee 2%, Stamp Duty 0.5%, Withholding Tax based on gain
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) offers favorable 5-year stay