CHAI NAT

Central Thailand

[update:10/04/2006] [view:556]

Chai Nat

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Chai Nat is located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River. The community was moved from the old site at Sankhaburi in the reign of King Rama IV. Chai Nat was an important town used several times as a base to confront the Burmese army. Every time, the Burmese were defeated, thus originating the name of Chai Nat which means a "place of victory". Chai Nat occupies an area of 2,469 square kilometres.

Geography

Chai Nat is located in the flat river plain of central Thailand's Chao Phraya River valley. In the south of the province the Chao Phraya (formerly Chai Nat) Dam impounds the Chao Phraya river, both for flood control as well as to divert water into the country's largest irrigation system for the irrigation of rice paddies in the lower river valley. The dam, part of the Greater Chao Phraya Project, was finished in 1957 and was the first dam constructed in Thailand.

History

Originally the city was located at Sankhaburi. In the reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV) the main settlement of the province was moved to its present-day location. During the wars with the Burmese it was an important military base to confront with the Burmese arms. As all these confrontations were successful the city gained the name Chai Nat, which means place of victory.

Attractions

Wat Phra Borommathat Worawihan this is an old temple on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. Located 4 ems. from the town, it is accessible by Route No. 340 and 3183. There is an old pagoda housing Lord Buddha's relics. It had been originally constructed with laterite in the Khmer period and was renovated in the Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin periods. Within the precincts of the temple is the Chai Nat Muni National Museum which displays several kinds of artifacts discovered in the town including Buddha images of different postures, as well as Thai and Chinese ceramics. It also exhibits various types of votive tables.

Wat Thammamum This hillside temple is located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, 8 kms. from Chai Nat. It was constructed during the Ayutthaya period and enshrines "Luang Pho Thammachak", a standing Buddha image with a mixture of the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya styles. Two fairs to worship the image are held in May and October.

Chai Nat Bird Park This is located 4 kms. before arriving in Chai Nat. Birds of more than 100 species live in a huge cage which maintains a natural environment. The park also has an aquarium which has a collection of various kinds of freshwater fish found in the Chao Phraya River. Local products such as bird models, wickerwork, and pomelo is available at the shops in the park.

Chao Phraya Dam This is Thailand's first dam constructed in 1956 for irrigational purposes. It is located 13 kms. east of the town along the route to Amphoe Sapphaya (Road No. 311). The dam has a total length of 238 metres and a height of 14 metres. The reservoir over the dam site is the habitat of numerous waterfowl during February.

Wat Inthraram This is an old temple, about 100 years old, located by the Chao Phraya River in TambonTaluk, Amphoe Sapphaya, 12 kms. east of Chai Nat. Outstanding old structures in the temple include twin belfries and a hall for keeping scriptures. The latter, situated in the middle of a pond, has been constructed with elaborate decorative designs.

Wat Karuna Located near the Chao Phraya Dam, this temple houses a large sandstone Buddha image namely "Phra phuttamaha Sila", which is highly revered by the local people of Chai Nat.

Khan San Statue Khun San is one of the Bang Rachan folk leaders who fought against the Burmese during the Ayutthaya period. It is taken for granted that he was a Sankhaburi resident. The statue is 2.5 metres high, standing in front of the Sankhaburi district office.

Wat Mahathat This is an old temple of Muang Phraek of Muang San which was an ancient city dating back to the Dvaravati period. Sankhaburi had also been an important fort town of the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya periods. It is located by the Noi River, 20 kms. southeast of Chai Nat along Route No.340. The temple houses ruined chapels with seated Buddha images and a distinguish Lop Buri style chedi with a fluted spire like the petal of a star apple.

Wat Phra Kaeo This is another ancient temple in Sankhaburi. It is situated to the south of Wat Mahathat. Its old chedi (pagoda) was constructed during the Ayutthaya period in harmonious Lop Buri and Dvaravati styles. In font of the chedi enshrines a seated Buddha image. A complicated lintel was found inside at the back of the image after stucco covering the image was broken.

Monkeys at Wat Thammikawat Located in Tambon Pho Ngam, Amphoe Sankhaburi, this temple is 38 kms. south of Chai Nat along Route No. 311 (Chai Nat-Sing Buri route). Its pleasant area next to the Noi River is home to a number of monkeys.

Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao This is an old temple situated at the mouth of Khlong Makham Thao, which runs into the Tha Chin River at Amphoe Wat Sing, 25 Kms. northwest of Chai Nat. The Shady temple offers pleasant scenery and houses mural paintings made by Krom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak, the father of the Thai navy.

Major Events

Straw Bird Fair This annual fair is organized by making good use of straw, a by-product of rice farming. Various species of huge straw birds will come perching on elaborately decorated floats during the straw bird procession in early February of each year. After the competition, all straw birds will be displayed at the Chai Nat Bird Park. Local products and agricultural crops are also be available in the fair.

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CHAI NAT

Central Thailand