As an cient town,?Chanthaburi believingly used to be a dwelling of pre ? historic humans.????????? The archaeological remains,?such as over – 2,000 ? year ? old polished stone tools found in Amphur Makham, Amphur Tha Mai and Ban Klong Bon of Amphur Pong Nam Ron, witness this belief.
According to ancient history, the town of Chanthaburi was firstly founded in front of the Sa Bab hill in the 18th century B.E. by Chong people, the Mon and Khmer race, The Chongs then settled their communities scatteredly in Chanthaburi, Rayong and Trat, particularly along the borderlines between Chanthaburi and Trat where were rich in natural herbs and resources. Later, forest areas lessen; The Chongs have lived their lives as labours and farmers. At present, some of them live in Ban Klong Plu of King ? amphur Khao Kitchakoot.
In 2200 B.E., Chanthaburi town was relocated at Ban Lum situated on the western bank of the Chanthaburi River. Soon after the collapse of the Ayudhya Kingdom, Phraya Vajiraprakan (King Taksin the Great) together with his 500 military forces had occupied Chanthaburi for 5 months as his strong ? hold. After having enough provisions, he together with 5,000 military forces drove Burmese troops out of Thai territory.
The historical event is so far the pride of Chanthaburi inhabitants. Memmorial monuments and statues were established in the province in honor of King Taksin the Great.
In the reign of King Rama ||| of Bangkok, the conflict between Thailand and Vietnam arose. To protect the town from Vietnamese attacks, King Rama ||| moved Chanthaburi city to Ban Nern Wong with better strategic location. But later during the reign of King Rama V, the town, because of the lack of water sources in Ban Nern Wong, was moved back to Ban Lum again.
Since 2436 B.E., French navy had occupied Chanthaburi for 11 years. In exchange of Chanthaburi, Thailand offered the territory located on the left bank of the Mekhong to Franch. And in 2476 B.E., Muang Chanthaburi was upgraded as the Province of Chanthaburi