Chai
Nat, established during the Ayutthaya period, was an important
town used several times as
a base to confront the Burmese army.
The Burmese were defeated every time, thus originating
the name
of Chai Nat (place of victory).
Chai Nat occupies an area of 2,469 square kilometers and is administratively
divided into six Amphoes : Muang, Hankha, Manorom, Sankhaburi,
Sapphaya, and Wat Sing.
Chai Nat Attractions:
Wat
Thanmamun
This monastery,
located at the foot hill area of Thanmamun Hill on the bank
of the Chao Phraya River, Tambon Thanmamun, Amphoe Muang Chai
Nat, is eight kilometers from the township. It has been established
since the Ayutthaya period. The main attraction is a standing
Buddha in the attitude of peace named "Luang Pho Thammachak"
which is highly respected by the people. There is an annual
celebration fair.
Chai
Nat Bird Park This is located
2 kilometers on the Asian Highway outside Chai Nat near Phlong
Hill, Tambon Khao Tha Phra. The park is located on an area of
375 rai with huge bird cages, swimming pool, scenery hall, gardens,
suspension bridge, and souvenir shops.
Chao
Phraya Dam It is eight kilometers
from Chai Nat township where the road branches off at Khung
Bang Kabian, Tambon Bang Luang, Amphoe Sapphaya. It is a large
dam having a total length of 238 meters and a height of 14 meters.
It was completed in the year 1956.
Wat Karuna Located near
the Chao Phraya Dam, it house a revered Buddha image highly
respected by Chai Nat inhabitants. The name of that image is
Phra Phuttha Maha Sila or Luang Pho Hin Yai, This wat is regarded
as the monastery of the dam.
Wat Phra Boromthat Chai Nat
This monastery
is accessible through the road branching off from the Chao Phraya
Dam on the right to Amphoe Sankha Buri; by following the old
road one can see it on the right hand side.
Chai Nat Muni
National Museum
This is located
within the precincts of Wat Phra Borommathat. The museum puts
on display several kinds of artifacts discovered within Chai
Nat Province including Buddha images of different gestures.
Thai and Chinese ceramics, as well as various types of votive
tablets with an expectation that the museum will eventually
become the votive tablet centre with most tablets in the country.
Straw
Bird Fair
This annual fair
is organized by making good use of straw, a by-product in rice
farming . Various species of huge straw birds will come perching
on elaborately decorated floats during the straw bird procession
slated for early February of each year. After the competition,
all straw birds will be displayed in front of the Chai Nat City
Hall. Local products and agricultural crops will also be available
in the fair.