Chainat (Thai ชัยนาท) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of
Thailand
.
Neighboring provinces are (from north
clockwise) Nakhon
Sawan
, Sing Buri
, Suphan Buri
and Uthai Thani
.
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.
Symbols
The provincial seal shows the Buddhist wheel, the
Dhammajakra. In the background is a mountain
(Khao Phlong) and a river (Chao Phraya River). The wheel symbolizes
the faith of the residents.
The provincial tree is the
Bael Fruit
Tree (
Aegle marmelos), and the provincial flower the
Rainbow Shower Tree (
Cassia
javanica).
The slogan of the province is
Venerable Luangpu Suk, Renowned
Chao Phraya Dam, Famous Bird Park and Tasty Khao Taengkwa
Pomelo.
Administrative divisions
Chainat is subdivided into 8 districts (
amphoe). The districts are further subdivided
into 53 subdistricts (
tambon) and
474 villages (
muban).
Tourism
Sights
Chainat Bird Garden or “Suan Nok ChaiNat”. This place is the most
famous traveling place in Chainat. It is the biggest Bird park in
Asia. There are many bird species here, This garden is open from 8
AM – 5 PM
Chainatmunee National Museum. It is in area of Wat
PhrabharomThatviharn The museum is a two storey building. The
second floor was the place for the Buddha from Tarawadee time till
present. The first floor is for the Sankalok Buddha, ornaments, and
ancient tools.
Wat ThammaMulviharn. The main temple of Chainat since Ayudhaya
time. This temple was located at Thammamul hill slope, on the bank
of Chaophraya river.
Chaophraya Dam. There are ten thousand teals here in January. The
viewpoints here attract visiting travelers.
Chai Nat Bird Park (สวนนกชัยนาท)
This sanctuary has the biggest aviary in Asia (26 rai) allowing various bird species to live in their natural habitat.
Wat Thammamun Worawihan
(วัดธรรมามูลวรวิหาร)The temple enshrines Luangpho
Thammachak, a standing Buddha image in a posture of persuading
relatives not to quarrel, with a lotus-shaped base. Another
attraction is the boundary marker, which is made from red sandstone
in the Ayutthayan style, around the ordination hall or Phra
Ubosot.
Wat Phra Borommathat Worawihan
(วัดพระบรมธาตุวรวิหาร)There is an old pagoda in the U
Thong style housing Lord Buddha's relics highly worshipped by
people from Chai Nat and other neighbouring provinces.The annual
fair to worship the Lord Buddha's relics are held during the full
moon day of the sixth lunar month.
Chai Nat Muni National Museum (พิพิธภัณฑสถานแห่งชาติ
ชัยนาทมุนี)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. While upstairs displays various Buddhist votive tablets
from the Dvaravati to Rattanakosin period.
Wat Pak Khlong Makham Thao or Wat Luangpu Suk
(วัดปากคลองมะขามเฒ่า หรือ วัดหลวงปู่ศุข)This shady
temple offers pleasant scenery and is famous for Buddha
amulets.Other attractions are Luangpu Suk’s traditional Thai style
residence, as well as, the mural paintings depicting the story of
the Lord Buddha made by H.R.H. the Prince of Chumphon and his
entourage.
Wasan Crocodile Farm
(ฟาร์มจระเข้วสันต์)It is located at No. 121, Mu 3,
Tambon Makham Thao. There are different kinds of animals such as
crocodiles, tigers, rays, and various bird species.
Wat Intharam (วัดอินทาราม (ตลุก))This
century-old temple features outstanding attractions like the twin
belfries, century-old Chinese pavilion, and an 8 x 9-metre
Thai-architectural scripture hall built in the middle of a
pond.
Chao Phraya Dam (เขื่อนเจ้าพระยา)is The
nation’s first large dam. 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.
Wat Karuna (วัดกรุณา) This temple houses
Chai Nat’s largest sandstone Buddha image named Phra Phutthamaha
Sila or Luangpho Hin Yai , which is highly revered by the local
people.
Khun San Statue (อนุสาวรีย์ขุนสรรค์)Khun
San or Hero of the Noi River is one of the Bang Rachan folk leaders
who fought courageously 7 times against the Burmese. He was the
first volunteer from Amphoe Sankhaburi dating back 223 years
ago.
Wat Phra Mahathat (วัดพระมหาธาตุ)is the
royal temple of Mueang Phraek or Mueang San. The temple houses a
distinguished prang with a fluted spire like the shape of a star
fruit. The prang housing Lord Buddha’s relics is made from brick on
a square shaped base (a plinth) in the Lop Buri style.
Wat Song Phi Nong (วัดสองพี่น้อง)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.
Wat Phra Kaeo (วัดพระแก้ว)is another
ancient temple housing a beautiful square-based stupa. 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.
Monkey Park (สวนลิง)
The temple houses rubber plantations and is home to a number of
monkeys. Its pleasant area next to the Noi River houses a much
revered Luangpho Thao Buddha image.
Wat Klai Kangwon (วัดไกลกังวล) or Khao Saraphat Si
Charoen Tham(เขาสารพัดศรีเจริญธรรม)
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.
Wat Phichaiyanawat (Wat Ban Chian) (วัดพิชัยนาวาส)
(วัดบันเชี่ยน)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.
Local Products
Chai Nat’s handicraft products are unique, good quality, and value
for money. Each district offers different products as
follows:
Dakkhanon Mattress (ที่นอนดักคะนน)
Stuffed with kapok, this mattress is made by the locals of Ban Dakkhanon, Tambon Thammamun.
Benjarong Pentachrome Ceramics
(เครื่องเบญจรงค์)
These five-coloured ceramics are made in the finest and most sophisticated craftsmanship. Every piece of the ceramics is hand painted with a traditional Thai design. They come in plates, bowls, cups, jars, and tea sets
Reed Mat and Bamboo Weavivng Products
(เสื่อกกและเครื่องจักสาน)Amphoe Manorom features
beautifully good quality products from reed and bamboo such as reed
mats, bags, baskets, shallow bamboo baskets, fruit trays, and
fans.
Manorom’s Pomelo (ส้มโอมโนรมย์)The most
famous is the Khao Taengkwa variety with its sweet-crispy taste,
large size, and is available throughout. The annual fair is held in
August.
Water Hyacinth Woven Product
(ผลิตภัณฑ์ผักตบชวา)By making good use of this local
plant, water hyacinths are made into a variety of affordable and
delicate handicraft products and household decorations such as
bags, baskets, slippers, flower pots, trays in the shape of a
chicken, and vases
Herbal Shampoo Products
(ผลิตภัณฑ์แชมพูสมุนไพร)Made from kaffir limes, aloe,
butterfly pea, turmeric, and soapberry, these renowned good quality
herbal shampoo, conditioner, and bath gel, are products of the Tha
Sai.
Pottery (เครื่องปั้นดินเผา)
These famous, durable, and stylishly designed pottery products such as flower pots, mugs, plates, watering utensils, and household decorations.
Huai Krot Sugar This palm sugar in soft
cakes is derived from sugar palm trees, which are grown extensively
in Tambon Huai Krot. Traditionally produced, Huai Krot Sugar is
very sweet and aromatic, and an essential ingredient for making
Thai desserts.
Brown Rice Brown rice is very nutritious
because it is traditionally milled.
Artificial Flowers and TreesThese are
made from various materials such as plastic or sa paper.
Hand-woven TextileUtilizing their spare
time from cultivation, local housewives produce the uniquely
traditional hand-woven textile such as the tube skirt or pha sin
with the decorative piece woven in discontinuous supplementary weft
technique known as tin chok, which is the influence of Laotian
ancestors, who previously migrated to Chai Nat.
Culture
Festivals
Straw Bird Fair, Chai Nat’s Product Fair and Red Cross
Fair (งานมหกรรมหุ่นฟางนกนานาชาติ งานของดี
และงานกาชาดจังหวัดชัยนาท)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 and
the competition is held in front of Chai Nat City Hall. The event
is held annually during Chinese New Year in February.
Chai Nat Pomelo Fair (งานส้มโอชัยนาท)Chai
Nat is one of several provinces famous for producing exceptional
pomelo. The best known are of the Khao Taengkwa variety having a
well-rounded shape, smooth skin, thin peel, sweet-crispy taste and
a little sour, but not bitter. The fair is held during late August
- early September in front of Chai Nat City Hall and features many
activities such as pomelo contest, varieties of exhibitions by
provincial authorities, and young shoot and pomelo sales.
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