🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
All three main stops on this trip sit almost entirely within Mueang Chai Nat district, so you can loop them in a single day without doubling back. Chai Nat Bird Park is up on Khao Phlong, right off the Asia Highway (Highway 1), while Wat Thammamun and Chao Phraya Dam are north of town along the Chai Nat–Nakhon Sawan road, just a few kilometres apart. This day trip works best if you have your own car, because the sights are spread out and local public transport is limited.
Start early, win the day
The bird park involves a lot of walking in the open, and Chai Nat gets really hot from late morning into the afternoon. Aim to reach the bird park when it opens (around 08:00–09:00) — you'll walk in comfort and catch the birds waking up to splash in the water. Save Chao Phraya Dam for the evening, since it's the best sunset spot of the whole trip.
Morning — Chai Nat Bird Park
Chai Nat Bird Park was once well known for its enormous aviary that covers the whole park, letting the birds fly freely while you walk underneath to see them up close. Beyond the birds, more zones have been added over the years — a freshwater fish tunnel, a giant bird egg that's become a photo spot, and a small water-play area for kids. Walking through everything takes about 2–3 hours.
Chai Nat Bird Park (Khao Phlong)
Book the activities in your Chai Nat trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Midday — Wat Thammamun + lunch
From the bird park, drive north toward Wat Thammamun, about 15–20 minutes away. This is a royal temple that's been a fixture of Chai Nat, set at the foot of Khao Thammamun on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. Inside is Luang Pho Thammachak, a standing Buddha image in the "forbidding relatives" pose that locals deeply revere. Stop in to make merit, then it's the right time to find a riverside lunch nearby.
Wat Thammamun + riverside lunch
Evening — Chao Phraya Dam at sunset
Chao Phraya Dam was Thailand's first large diversion dam, holding back the Chao Phraya River in Mueang Chai Nat district. The authorities built a bridge and a riverside walkway so you can stroll and take in the view. In the evening the sun softens and the breeze off the water is cool — it's one of the prettiest sunset spots in the province, just right as a closing scene for the trip.
Chao Phraya Dam
The main stops on this day trip
Chai Nat Bird Park
A bird park up on Khao Phlong with a giant aviary you walk underneath, a freshwater fish tunnel, a giant bird egg for photos, and a water-play zone for kids. Great for the whole family.
Wat Thammamun Worawihan
A royal temple long tied to Chai Nat, at the foot of Khao Thammamun on the Chao Phraya River, home to Luang Pho Thammachak — a standing Buddha image revered across the province.
Chao Phraya Dam
Thailand's first large diversion dam, with a riverside walkway over a wide river view. It's a popular sunset spot in Chai Nat.
Straight talk
Chai Nat Bird Park is a family-and-kids kind of place, not a slick photo-op destination. Some zones show their age. If you're expecting a grand zoo you might be underwhelmed — but if you're coming with kids or just want an easy outing near Bangkok, it's good value at admission of only a few dozen baht.
Getting there + how to plan the trip
- Getting to Chai Nat — drive from Bangkok along the Asia Highway (Highway 32), about 2.5–3 hours. It's an easy day trip out and back, or you can take a northbound bus/van and get off at Chai Nat.
- Getting around locally — the sights are spread out and outside town, so it's easiest with your own car or a rental, since public transport between stops is sparse.
- Order of the day — start at the bird park in the morning to dodge the heat, make merit and eat riverside at midday, and close in the evening at the dam for sunset — a route with no backtracking.
- What to bring — the bird park has a lot of open-air walking, so pack a hat, umbrella, drinking water, and comfortable shoes. The Chai Nat afternoon sun is no joke.
- Want to stay overnight — if you'd rather not rush back, stay one night in Chai Nat town and the next day you can easily add Wat Phra Kaeo and the old town of Sankhaburi.
Want to stay a night in Chai Nat without rushing home?
See the Top 10 places to stay in Chai Nat →