The town, Chai Nat (ชัยนาท) is the provincial capital of Chai Nat Province, in the central region of Thailand.
Understand
[edit]Chai Nat means a roaring victory. Originally this ancient town was on the right bank of the Chao Phraya River at the mouth of Khlong Phraek Si Racha south of the old waterway. Established after the town of Phanthumwadi (Suphanburi Province), Chai Nat was Sukhothai's most important southern outpost built during the reign of King Phaya Loethai of Sukhothai during 1317–1336. This ancient community was called Mueang Phraek or Mueang San. When the Sukhothai Kingdom declined, Phraek became Ayutthaya's northern outpost. Later, a new community was established not far from Phraek. Its ruler was Chao Sam Phraya, who later ruled Ayutthaya and became King Borom Rachathirat II. This new community was a large town called Chai Nat. In the reign of King Rama V, the main settlement of the province in Laem Yang was moved to the left bank of the Chao Phraya River. Mueang San slowly declined because most of the people migrated to Chai Nat. The old town later became a district of Chai Nat. Chai Nat was an important military base to confront with the Burmese armies. As all these confrontations were successful, the city gained the name Chai Nat.
Apart from its long history, Chai Nat is known for handicrafts of basketry, sculpture, weaving and Benjarong porcelain.
Chai Nat occupies an area of 2,470 square km.
Get in
[edit]By car
[edit]Chai Nat is 194 km from Bangkok. To get there, take Hwy 1 and at km50, change to Hwy 32 passing through Ang Thong and Singburi. Then, at km183, take a left turn onto Hwy 1. Proceed another 10 km.
By bus
[edit]Take the hourly air conditioned bus (05:30-17:30) from the Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit 2) on Kamphaengphet Rd to Chai Nat. It takes about 2.5 hr to get there. For further information, contact the Chai Nat Tour Company Limited (Bangkok office Tel.+66 2 9363608, and Chai Nat’s office Tel.+66 56 412264), or the Transport Company Limited[dead link], Tel.+66 2 5765599, +66 2 9362852-66, or visit .
Get around
[edit]By car
[edit]Public transportation in the province is very limited. The best means of transportation around the province is by personal vehicle.
By boat
[edit]Being on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, boat transportation between settlements on the river banks is common. There are companies that offer boat rides along the Chao Phraya River.
See
[edit]
- 1 Chai Nat Bird Park (สวนนกชัยนาท), ☏ +665-647-6624. 8AM - 5PM. A large bird sanctuary with over 100 bird species, with the largest aviary in Asia. There is also a smaller zoo and freshwater fish aquarium in the area. 60 baht for adults and 25 baht for children.
- 2 Wat Pathomathet Sana Aranyawasi (วัดปฐมเทศนาอรัญวาสี). 9AM - 5PM. Also known as Wat Khao Phlong (วัดเขาพลอง). The temple is located on a hill overlooking Chai Nat. From the top you can see the view of Chai Nat town. Free.
- 3 Chao Praya Dam (เขื่อนเจ้าพระยา). A great place to view the sunset over the Chao Phraya River. Free.
- 4 Wat Mahathat (วัดมหาธาตุ), 371 ถนน เลียบแม่น้ำน้อย Phraek Sriracha, Sankhaburi District, Chai Nat 17140,. The temple shares the same name with the famous temple in Ayutthaya. While it is much smaller, it has some beautiful ruins.
- 5 Wat Khositaram (วัดโฆสิตาราม), ☏ +6661 283 5417. 8AM-5PM. One of the most famous temples in the province, frequented by locals in the area. Free.
- 6 Bueng Krachap Yai (บึงกระจับใหญ่). An inland island connected by a wooden bridge with a healthy population of birds in the area. Boat tours around the island are available. Also a major site for Loy Krathong in November. Free.
- 7 Wat Phra Kaew (วัดพระแก้ว), ☏ +6689 270 5325. 6AM-6PM. Not to be confused with the more well-known Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok. This temple was built during the Ayutthaya era and was abandoned before being reoccupied again during the Rattanakosin Era. The most famous structure is the Lavo-design pagoda, nicknamed "The Queen of All Pagodas in Southeast Asia". Free.
Do
[edit]- 1 Wat Thammamun Worawihan (วัดธรรมามูลวรวิหาร). A Sukhothai-era temple which is accessible by car. However, there is a hill that overlooks the temple and the Chao Phraya River which requires walking up a very steep 565 flight of stairs. At the top there is a path that leads further to shrine of a famous monk from the province. A great place to view the sunset over the province. Free.
- Boat ride along the Chao Phraya River. Being on the Chao Phraya River, there are many companies in the province that offer boat tours in the late afternoon to view the sunset and see the local livelihoods on the river.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Ran Khong Dee Chainat (ร้านของดีชัยนาท), ☏ +6692-638-3986. 8:30-17:00. A local shop that sells various products made in Chai Nat ranging from fruits, rice, soap, honey and other souvenirs.
- Pomelo: Chai Nat is famous for a certain type of pomelo known in Thai as Som-O Khao Taeng Gua (ส้มโอขาวแตงกวา) which has a drier texture than other species of pomelo in Thailand.
- Rice: Being right next to the Chao Praya River, the province grows a variety of rice.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Ton Takhop Restaurant (ร้านอาหารต้นตะขบ), ☏ +665 640 5150. 9AM - 5PM everyday except for Thursdays. A local restaurant famous for its pad thai and freshwater fish, freshly caught from the Chao Phraya River.
- 2 Chom Bua Restaurant Chao Phaya Thara Riverside Hotel (ร้านอาหารชมบัว โรงแรมเจ้าพระยาธารา ริเวอร์ไซด์ ชัยนาท), ☏ +665 641 0800. 11AM-10PM. A restaurant located in the Chao Phraya Thara Riverside Hotel. The restaurant has a great view of the Chao Phraya River, serving local food such as river fish.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Chao Phaya Thara Riverside Hotel (โรงแรมเจ้าพระยาธารา ริเวอร์ไซต์ ชัยนาท), 1013 Tambon Ban Kluai, Mueng Chai Nat 17000, ☏ +6684-241-1234. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. A hotel right on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the more expensive rooms have a beautiful view of the river especially during sunset. Some nights they offer boat rides in the evening (for an additional fee) including dinner.
Go next
[edit]| Routes through Chai Nat |
| Chiang Rai ← Nakhon Sawan ← | N  S
|
→ Lopburi → Bangkok |