Chai Nat is an ancient town dating from the Ayutthaya period, when it was a military base for confronting Burmese armies. After several successful battles, the town was named Chai Nat, a name that refers to victory.
The province is rich in historical sites such as monuments and old temples, and it also has museums, a bird park and dams. It is divided into eight districts.
Things to see in Chai Nat
Apart from its long history, Chai Nat has plenty of attractions. It suits history lovers and Buddhist pilgrims alike, with many temples and religious sites. Phichainawat Temple, built during the Ayutthaya period, is one of the best known. Chai Nat also has vast green rice fields where visitors can spot and identify unusual birds.
Chai Nat Bird Park has an aviary, an aquarium, an egg museum, a water park, a waterfall and a large playground. The glass temple of Wat Tha Sung is also worth a visit, with giant golden statues, mirrors and glitter everywhere. Dress modestly at the temples.
Wat Thammikawat, near the Noi River, is home to many monkeys. They are wild animals, so don’t feed them.
The Chao Phraya Dam is home to thousands of waterfowl and supplies water for agriculture in the province. You can learn about Chai Nat’s history and archaeology at the Chainatmuni National Museum, which displays crafts, Buddha images in different styles, old ornaments and sculptures. Chai Nat is known for its crafts, and the Lao Wiang cloth weaving centre is a good place to end your tour, with woven cloth and traditional long skirts for sale.