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Chai Nat
ชัยนาท

Statistics
Capital:	Chai Nat
Area:	2,469.7 km² Ranked 64th
Inhabitants:	359,829 (2000) Ranked 62nd
Pop. density:	146 inh./km² Ranked 26th
ISO 3166-2:	TH-18
Governor:	Praphakon Samiti (since April 2007)
Map

Chai Nat (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.

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.

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.

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).

Chainat is subdivided into 8 districts (Amphoe). The districts are further subdivided into 53 subdistricts (tambon) and 474 villages (muban).

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.

• Chainat Bird Park
• Province page from the Tourist Authority of Thailand
• Website of province (Thai only)
• Chainat provincial map, coat of arms and postal stamp

Provinces of Thailand

Capital: Bangkok North: Chiang Mai | Chiang Rai | Kamphaeng Phet | Lampang | Lamphun | Mae Hong Son | Nakhon Sawan | Nan | Phayao | Phetchabun | Phichit | Phitsanulok | Phrae | Sukhothai | Tak | Uthai Thani | Uttaradit North-East: Amnat Charoen | Buri Ram | Chaiyaphum | Kalasin | Khon Kaen | Loei | Maha Sarakham | Mukdahan | Nakhon Phanom | Nakhon Ratchasima | Nong Bua Lamphu | Nong Khai | Roi Et | Sakon Nakhon | Si Sa Ket | Surin | Ubon Ratchathani | Udon Thani | Yasothon Central: Ang Thong | Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya | Chachoengsao | Chai Nat | Kanchanaburi | Lop Buri | Nakhon Nayok | Nakhon Pathom | Nonthaburi | Pathum Thani | Phetchaburi | Prachuap Khiri Khan | Ratchaburi | Samut Prakan | Samut Sakhon | Samut Songkhram | Saraburi | Sing Buri | Suphan Buri South: Chumphon | Krabi | Nakhon Si Thammarat | Narathiwat | Pattani | Phang Nga | Phatthalung | Phuket | Ranong | Satun | Songkhla | Surat Thani | Trang | Yala East: Chanthaburi | Chonburi | Prachin Buri | Rayong | Sa Kaeo | Trat

Coordinates: 15°11′06″N, 100°07′29″E