Chanthaburi is undoubtedly famous for its gem stones and tropical fruit, but it’s also notorious for its exceedingly wet climate. During the rainy months from May to October, showers come and go consistently throughout the day and the skies are usually overcast. It wouldn’t be Chanthaburi without a little rain, and a short but heavy downpour proved to be a blessing during our stroll.
Seeking shelter, we stumbled into to an old noodle shop in a classic wood house with images of the Thai king and famous monks overlooking steaming cauldrons of broth. We were warmly welcomed by a family who have been serving crab noodle soup (kwit tieau buu) — a local specialty — in this very spot for decades.