Chachoengsao Day Trip from Bangkok: Market & Temple Tour

An hour and a half from Bangkok, three temples and a market that still feels like locals own it

You visit three temples along the Bang Pakong River (including the sacred Wat Sothon and the bat-filled Wat Pho Bang Khla) plus Ban Mai Market, where you eat a Thai lunch with locals. Hotel pickup and drop-off, all entry fees, and an English-speaking guide are included. The whole day takes about 9 hours, and you're seeing a side of the province that doesn't make it into most Bangkok itineraries.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Chachoengsao temples and market

• Visit Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan temple
• See Luang Phor Sothon Buddha image
• Walk through Ban Mai Market
• View Bang Pakong River
• Visit Lord Ganesha Temple (Wat Saman Rattanaram)
• Visit Wat Pho Bang Khla to see bats

The experience

The drive out of Bangkok takes you past the sprawl and into Chachoengsao, a province most visitors skip. Your guide picks you up from your hotel early enough that the day doesn't feel rushed. You're heading to three temples and a historic market, plus the Bang Pakong River running through it all. The first stop is usually Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan, the big one, white marble with gold trim sitting right on the water. The legend is that the main Buddha image, Luang Phor Sothon, floated down the river centuries ago, and the temple was built to house it. You'll see why people still come here. The riverside setting is calm, the architecture is clean and simple, and there's no crowd the way you'd get at temples in the city.

After Wat Sothon, the day takes a turn. Wat Saman Rattanaram is the temple with the giant pink Ganesha statue. It's flashy, a bit theme-park-like, and honestly kind of jarring after the quiet of the first temple, but that's part of what makes the Chachoengsao day trip interesting. You're not seeing a polished tourist circuit. You're seeing what people actually visit. Then there's Wat Pho Bang Khla, which is famous for the fruit bats. Hundreds of them, hanging from the trees. They're big, and they're real. Your guide will point them out and explain why they're there. It's the kind of detail that sticks with you after the day is over.

Ban Mai Market comes next, and this is where the pace slows down. It's not a souvenir market. It's a working market where locals eat and shop, laid back and quiet, with views of the river. A Thai set lunch is included, and you eat there, which means you're eating what the market serves, not what a tour operator ordered for groups. After lunch, you have time to walk around, see the vendors, and just sit with the river. The whole day is about 9 hours from pickup to drop-off, and it doesn't feel like you're being herded through checkboxes.

Dress code matters here: no sleeveless shirts, short pants, or see-through clothing at any of the temples. It's a rule for all temples in Thailand, and your guide will remind you before you arrive. Bring comfortable shoes because you'll be walking between stops and through the market. The drive back to Bangkok is long enough that some people sleep, which tells you something about the pace of the day.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Bangkok accommodation.
• entry fees to all three temples (Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan, Wat Saman Rattanaram, and Wat Pho Bang Khla).
• Thai set lunch at Ban Mai Market.
• English-speaking guide for the full day.
• transportation to and from Chachoengsao.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sunleisure World

Is this one for you?Good for travelers who want to see temples and local life outside Bangkok without arranging transport or worrying about entry fees: the fixed itinerary and included lunch mean you show up and the day unfolds without decisions.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

How long is the drive from Bangkok to Chachoengsao?

About 1.5 hours each way.

What time does the tour start and end?

Pickup is from your hotel in the morning. The full day is approximately 9 hours including return transfer.

Is lunch included?

Yes, a Thai set lunch at Ban Mai Market is included.

Do I need to pay extra for temple entry?

No, all temple entrance fees are included in the tour price.

What should I wear to visit the temples?

No sleeveless shirts, short pants, tight pants, or see-through clothing. Covered shoulders and knees are required at all temples in Thailand.

What language is the guide?

English-speaking guide is provided.

Are there any physical fitness requirements?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels.