Chachoengsao is located on the bank of Bang Pakong River, 24 kilometers upstream from the mouth. It is believed to be a new town established in the Ayutthaya period around the year 1549 during the reign of King Maha Chakkraphat for armed force recruitment purposes. Chachoengsao town was first found in the historical records during the reign of King Maha Thammaracha when Thailand was in a weak situation due to being defeted by the Burmese. Phraya Lawaek, a Khmer king, saw that it was his good opportunity to locate Thai people to be his work force.

He, then, led his army by land and water transportation to forcefully take away a huge number of people from Chanthaburi, Rayong, Chachoengsao, and Nakhon Nayok. Chachoengsao, or as commonly called "Paet Riu", is some 100 kilometers east of Bangkok occupying an area of 5.351 square kilometers. Its area is a low basin suitable for cultivation, especially rice, which is an economic crop providing the principal income to the province. Chachoengsao is administratively divided into nine Amphoes and two King Amphoes : Muang, Bang Khla, Bang Nam Prieo, Bang Pakong, Ban Pho, Phanom Sarakham, Sanam Chai Khet, Plaeng Yao, Ratchasan, King Amphoe Tha Takiap and King Amphoe Khlong Khuan.

Chachoengsao Attractions:

Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan
This monastery houses Phra Phutthasothon or, as commonly called by the local folk, "Luang Pho Sothon". This is a very sacred Buddha image and is most revered by the people. The image in the attitude of meditation having a lap width of 165 centimeters and it is 198 centimeters in height. Wat Sothon is on the river bank in Amphoe Muang approximately 2 kilometers south of Sala Klang (the City Hall).

Legend says that there were three bronze cast Buddha images floating down from Prachin Buri and they appeared at Sampathuan Country of Chachoengsao. The villagers, after recognizing the situation, tied the three images with ropes and tried to pull them out of the water but they did not succeed. The three images continued floating downstream. The big one later appeared at Ban Laem of Samut Songkhram where the people of Ban Laem enshrined him at Wat Ban Laem.

The small one appeared and was enshrined at Wat Bang Phli of Samut Prakan. The medium sized one, Luang Pho Sothon, appeared in front of Wat Sothon. The people helped and put their efforts to pull it up from the water but they did not succeed the first time. Then a man having good mind power built up a small shrine for a ceremony paying homage to Phra Phuttha Sothon; they invited him and pulled him up to be enshrined at Wat Sothon successfully as can be currently seen. There are two annual fairs celebrating Luang Pho Sothon; one falls on the middle of the 12th lunar month and the other on the middle of the 5th lunar month.

Somdet Phra Si Nakharin Park
This is located in front of the Chachoengsao City Hall with a total area of about 90 rai. The park is arranged like a local garden with a large swamp in the middle surrounded by various types of trees.

Bats at Wat Pho Bang Khla
Wat Pho Bang Khla is located 17 km. along the Highway 304 (Chachoengsao - Kabin Buri route) with another 6 kilometers turn to Highway 3121 to Amphoe Bang Khla. Thousands of fruit eating bats, or flying foxes, hang crowdedly on several big trees within the monastery.

Khao Hin Son Development Study Center
It is on Phanom Sarakham - Kabin Buri Road between Km. 51 and 52 near Tambon Khao Hin Son and Tambon Ko Khanun, Amphoe Phanom Sarakham, and occupies an area of 1,929 rai (about 770 acres). Khao Hin Son is a hill having white sandy rocks thickly dotting the landscape and is one of the beautiful places in Chachoengsao. Within the area of the center are Phra Bowon Shrine; King Phra Pin Klao Monument located in the botanical garden zone; fast growing tree garden zone; crop cultivation experimental plots; fishery and livestock demonstrations; occupational training at the Special Folk Arts and Crafts Center under H.M. the Queen's patronage. The royal idea of the present king originated the establishment of this Khao Hin Son Development Study Center.