Chanthaburi, an ancient city on Thailand’s eastern coast, has evidence of human settlement from the prehistoric period, with artifacts such as stone tools dating back over 2,000 years found in districts like Makham and Tha Mai. The area was initially settled by the Chong people, an ethnic group of Mon-Khmer descent, who relied on the dense forests for sustenance. During the 18th century, the city was strategically moved to different locations, first to Ban Lum and later to Ban Noen Wong, to better protect against foreign invasions, especially during conflicts with Vietnamese forces. A significant historical moment for Chanthaburi occurred when King Taksin used the city as a base to gather resources and troops to reclaim Ayutthaya from Burmese occupation, a feat commemorated by numerous monuments honoring his legacy.

In 1893, during King Rama V's reign, Chanthaburi was occupied by France for 11 years as part of a territorial dispute, ultimately resolved by Thailand ceding land east of the Mekong River. In 1933, Chanthaburi was officially designated as a province, and today it remains historically significant, representing a coastal stronghold with a heritage spanning from the Ayutthaya period to the Rattanakosin era.