Chachoengsao Day Trip from Bangkok: Temples & Historic Market

Three temples and a river market, 90 minutes from Bangkok

You visit four temples and a riverside market in Chachoengsao, starting with the oversized pink Ganesha statue and ending at a bat-filled temple. A Thai lunch is included, along with all temple entry fees and an English-speaking guide. Hotel pickup and drop-off mean you leave Bangkok without arranging transport, and the 1.5-hour drive each way fits inside a single day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Chachoengsao's temples and market

• Visit Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan
• See Luang Phor Sothon Buddha image
• Walk through Ban Mai Market
• View Bang Pakong River
• Visit Wat Saman Rattanaram temple
• Visit Wat Pho Bang Khla temple

The experience

The giant pink Ganesha statue at Wat Saman Rattanaram sits right on the Bang Pakong River, and it's the kind of thing you don't forget: part temple, part theme park, completely unexpected. That's what pulls most people toward Chachoengsao in the first place. It's only 1.5 hours' drive from Bangkok, but it feels like stepping into a different rhythm. Your guide picks you up from your hotel, and the day unfolds across four stops: the Ganesha temple, Wat Sothon (the white marble one with the gold trim, built to house one of Thailand's most sacred Buddha images), Wat Pho Bang Khla where hundreds of fruit bats hang from the trees, and Ban Mai Market, which is quieter and more laid-back than the tourist markets in the city.

Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan is the kind of place that photographs well but feels better in person: the riverside setting, the simple elegance of the white marble, the spire reaching up. The legend behind it is what stays with you: the main Buddha image, Luang Phor Sothon, supposedly floated down the Bang Pakong River along with two others, and locals fished it out. Whether you believe that or not, the temple has the weight of real devotion. After the temples, you stop at Ban Mai Market, which is cozy and unhurried: vendors, river views, actual food people eat rather than food arranged for tourists. A Thai set lunch is included, and by the time you're heading back to Bangkok, you've covered the main supernatural landmarks without the logistics of renting a car or figuring out timing yourself.

The bat temple is the wildcard. Wat Pho Bang Khla isn't a major tourist stop, which is partly why it works. Hundreds of big fruit bats hanging from the trees. It's strange and a bit primal, and kids either love it or find it unsettling. The whole day moves at a pace that doesn't feel rushed. Your English-speaking guide handles all the temple entry tickets, so you're not stopping at booths or fumbling with cash. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, which means you don't start the day negotiating a taxi or timing a return.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Bangkok accommodation.
• entry fees to Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan, Wat Saman Rattanaram (Ganesha temple), and Wat Pho Bang Khla.
• a Thai set lunch.
• and an English-speaking guide for the full day.

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 Sightseeingbangkok.com

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Chachoengsao's main temples and the riverside market without arranging your own transport or worrying about timing: the fixed itinerary and included pickup mean you start and end at your hotel.

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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 full day trip?

The drive to Chachoengsao is 1.5 hours each way. The full day, including all four temple stops, the market, and lunch, typically runs 9–10 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, entry fees to all temples, a Thai set lunch, and an English-speaking guide for the day.

Can I do this trip if I don't drive?

Yes. The tour includes round-trip hotel transfer, so you don't need a car or need to arrange your own transport. Public transportation options are also available near the temples if you prefer.

What's the difference between Wat Sothon and the other temples?

Wat Sothon is the largest and most historically significant. It houses Luang Phor Sothon, one of Thailand's most sacred Buddha images. The Ganesha temple is more colorful and theme-park-like. Wat Pho Bang Khla is known for the bats. Each has a different atmosphere.

Is Ban Mai Market a tourist trap?

No. It's a local market with a laid-back atmosphere, river views, and authentic food. It's quieter and less commercialized than Bangkok's main tourist markets.

What time does the tour start?

The exact pickup time depends on your hotel location and the tour operator's schedule. Confirm with the provider when you book.