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CHAINAT

Chao Phraya Dam, Chai Nat The nation’s first large dam is located at the bend of the Bang Krabian River, Mu 3, Tambon Bang Luang. With a total length of 237.5 metres and a height of 16.5 metres, this reinforced concrete dam is built across flowing water and consists of 16 spillways. There is a 14-metre-wide watergate, where small or big marine craft can pass through. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit presided over the opening ceremony on 7 February 1957. Chao Phraya Dam is beautiful and during January - February, the reservoir over the dam site is the habitat to thousands of waterfowl. Water is released from the Northern region to the Central lower basin and the Gulf of Thailand for the purposes of irrigation, agriculture, conservation of marine animals, and generating hydroelectric power for the province. Chao Phraya Dam provides accommodation of 19 rooms at a rate of 600 Baht. More details are available at Tel. 0 56411559 ext. 210. To get there: From Amphoe Mueang, travel along Highway No. 304. Turn left for Amphoe Sapphaya and proceed another 6 kilometres. It is also accessible via the Bangkok - Amphoe Wat Sing bus, which passes the Chao Phraya Dam, bus No. 1061 Chai Nat - Pho Nang Tam, and bus No. 110 Sing Buri - Chai Nat.

Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao, Chai Nat 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 kilometres northwest of Chainat. The shady temple offers pleasant scenery and houses mural paintings made by Krom Luang Chumphon Khet Udomsak, the father of the Thai navy.

Wat Phra Borommathat Worawihan, Chai Nat This is an old temple on the bank of the Chao Phraya River. Located 4 kilometres from the town, it can be accessible by Route Nos. 340 and 3183. There is an old pagoda housing Lord Buddhas 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 Chainat 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 tablets.

Chainat Bird Park, Chai Nat This is located 4 kilometres before arriving in Chainat. 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.

Wat Phichaiyanawat (Wat Ban Chian), Chai Nat It is an ancient temple located at Tambon Ban Chian, 38 kilometres from the provincial town of Chai Nat. Proceed via Highway No. 3211 to Km. 2 - 3. It is presumed to have been built in the mid-Ayutthaya period, dating back to at least 300 years ago. The ordination hall or Phra Ubosot built in the middle of the pond enshrined the principle Buddha image of Luangpho To, which is in the posture of accepting offerings from an elephant and a monkey. Made of stucco, the image is sitting in the European style and measures 4.54 metres in height. It is presumed that while creating Luangpho To’s image, the city was in turmoil from a war with the Burmese, who marched through this area. The annual gild ceremony or covering the Buddha image with gold leaf takes place during Magha Puja Day and the Loi Krathong Festival.

Wat Phra Kaeo, Chai Nat Wat Phra Kaeo Wat Phra Kaeo is another ancient temple housing a beautiful square-based stupa. Within the temple ground also houses a high stupa in a harmonious blend of the Lawo and late Dvaravati styles, as well as a relic chamber with a recessed base in the Sukhothai and Sri Vijaya styles. Situated at Mu 10, Tambon Phraek Si Racha, which is about 23 kilometres off the provincial town of Chai Nat, Wat Phra Kaeo is another ancient temple housing a beautiful square-based stupa. Within the temple ground also houses a high stupa in a harmonious blend of the Lawo and late Dvaravati styles, as well as a relic chamber with a recessed base in the Sukhothai and Sri Vijaya styles. In front of the stupa stands a Buddha image hall known as Wihan Luangpho Chai, where a delicately carved sandstone lintel was found at the back of the image. This lintel depicts an image of the God Indra riding the elephant named Erawan inside a stylized shelter in a distinctive Khmer style, which dates back to more than 1,000 years ago. It is believed that at the decline of the Khmer empire, someone must have taken this artefact from somewhere and carved the Buddha image out of it. However, the head of the elephant is overturned, its trunk pointing upward, as a riddle that in order to be enlightened like the Lord Buddha “one must overcome greed, hatred, and ignorance to find true happiness.”

Wasan Crocodile Farm, Chai Nat It is located at No. 121, Mu 3, Tambon Makham Thao. From Amphoe Mueang Chai Nat, proceed along the Chai Nat - Wat Sing route (Highway No. 3183) at Km. 24 and the crocodile farm is on the right hand side. There are different kinds of animals such as crocodiles, tigers, rays, and various bird species. It is free of charge. More details are available at Tel. 0 5646 1104.

Chai Nat Muni National Museum, Chai Nat Located within the temple grounds of Wat Phra Borommathat Worawihan, this archaeological museum is a 2-storey adapted Thai-style building. Downstairs displays celadon Buddha images, tools, and ornaments from the Dvaravati to Rattanakosin period. Most of these displayed artefacts were given by Venerable Phra Chai Nat Muni (Nuam) Suthatto, former Ecclesiastical Provincial Governor of Chai Nat, who was the collector and had handed them over to the Fine Arts Department. While upstairs displays various Buddhist votive tablets from the Dvaravati to Rattanakosin period. The museum service hours are Wednesday – Sunday from 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. Closed on Monday, Tuesday, and national holidays. The admission fee is 10 Baht. More details are available at Tel. 0 5641 1467. To get there: Proceed along the same route as Wat Phra Borommathat Worawihan.

Wat Intharam, Chai Nat This is an old temple, about 100 years old, Located by the Chao Phraya River in Tambon Taluk, Amphoe Sapphaya, 12 kilometres east of Chainat. 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 Mahathat, Chai Nat This is an old temple of Mueang Phraek or Mueang San which was an ancient city dating back to the Dvaravati period. Sankhaburi had been also an important fort town of the Sukhothai and Ayutthaya Kingdoms. It is located by the Noi River, 20 kilometres southeast of Chainat 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 Klai Kangwon or Khao Saraphat Si Cha..., Chai Nat It is located at Tambon Ban Chian, 48 kilometres from the provincial town of Chai Nat. Proceed via Highway No. 3211 onto Hankha Intersection. Take a left turn for another 4 kilometres and the temple is on the right hand side. Turn right about 1.7 kilometres further and you will come across a concrete fence measuring 5,000 metres in length enclosing the temple. An ancient temple dated back to the Lop Buri period, Wat Klai Kangwon was deserted for sometime but has later undergone major restoration in 1967. On top of the hill sees ruins of an ordination hall and the Lord Buddha’s footprints, as well as, a panoramic view of the area. There is the annual Tak Bat Devo ceremony, which literally means offering of food to Buddhist monks. The celebration is an imitation of Lord Buddha’s descent from heaven, and takes place after the Buddhist Rains Retreat.

Wat Song Phi Nong, Chai Nat Wat Song Phi Nong Legend has it that Chao Sam, one of the three siblings, incited the other two siblings named Chao Ai and Chao Yi against each other for the throne. It is located 300 metres from Wat Phra Mahathat. Legend has it that Chao Sam, one of the three siblings, incited the other two siblings named Chao Ai and Chao Yi against each other for the throne. Both Chao Ai and Chao Yi died and Chao Sam became the ruler. Chao Sam then built one prang and one chedi for his late brothers. Both are presumed to have been built 600 years before the establishment of the Ayutthaya Kingdom.

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

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

Khun San Statue, Chai Nat 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 Thammamun, Chai Nat This hillside temple is located on the bank of the Chao Phraya River, 8 kilometres from Chainat. 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.