Chai Nat Nature
Chao Phraya Riverside: Dam, Bird Park, Low Hills & Rice Fields

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

The charm of Chai Nat is that nothing here is in a hurry. Everything sits close together — a few minutes' drive from one spot to the next — the crowds are thin, and the Chao Phraya River runs through it all, making the town greener and shadier than you'd expect. If you like travelling slowly, catching the breeze and seeing real riverside life, Chai Nat is a nicely sized destination. You can see it all in a single day, or stay a night without any trouble.

Chao Phraya Dam — a long crest along the river

The Chao Phraya Dam in Bang Luang, Sanphaya District was the first large diversion dam built in Thailand. The concrete structure stretches right across the Chao Phraya, with a bridge and walkway that let you stand out over the middle of the river. The wide water and the sluice gates make a popular photo spot, especially in the late afternoon when the light softens and the breeze picks up — locals genuinely come here to sit and watch the sunset.

• Open daily — strolling the dam crest and the riverside plaza is free, no entry fee
• Best time — late afternoon, around 4:30–6:30 PM, when the sun is soft, the wind is up and the sky looks its best
• Flood season — roughly September–October you can watch the sluice gates open; the rushing water is a great sight, but stay safe and keep behind the barriers
• Food nearby — there are shops along the dam and local processed goods for sale around there, easy to grab something to take home

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Chai Nat Bird Park — a huge aviary near Khao Phlong

Chai Nat Bird Park sits in Khao Tha Phra, right at the foot of Khao Phlong, and it's the landmark that made the province known for bird conservation. The highlight is a large walk-in aviary where birds of many kinds fly all around you. Beyond the birds there's a hall showing fish of the Chao Phraya basin, an egg museum and a small water-play zone for kids — a good spot to bring the family and wander without rushing.

• Entry (Thai nationals) — around 60 THB for adults, 25 THB for children · foreign visitors around 150 THB for adults, 75 THB for children (prices can change, double-check on site)
• Opening hours — open daily during daytime; come in the morning to early afternoon when it isn't too hot yet and the birds are active
• Time to allow — about 1.5–2 hours at an unhurried pace; there's plenty of shade and easy walking
• Pair it up — it's right next to Wat Khao Phlong, so you can head up for the view in the same trip

Khao Phlong — a low hill with a view over Chai Nat town

If you want to see Chai Nat town from above, Wat Khao Phlong (Wat Pathom Thetsana Aranyawasi) in Khao Phlong sub-district is the viewpoint many people rate as the best in the province. It's a low hill you can reach two ways — climb the naga stairway or drive to the top. Up there you'll find a large Buddha image in the Subduing Mara posture, and a few hundred more steps lead up to the stupa at the summit, where you get a panoramic view over the rice fields, the river and the town below.

• Two ways up — the naga stairway is about 147 steps to the Buddha image, then another 500-plus steps to the stupa; or drive to the top if the climb isn't for you
• Lovely in the evening — a favourite local spot for sunset and the town lights after dark
• Dress modestly — it's a temple, so dress neatly, and bring water if you're taking the stairs
• Easy to reach — right next to Chai Nat Bird Park, so the two pair nicely into one half-day

Khao Thammamun — a steep stairway and a riverside temple

Another low riverside hill is Khao Thammamun, home to Wat Thammamun Worawihan, an old temple dating back to the Ayutthaya period. The temple clings to the hillside above the Chao Phraya, and looking up from the river you can see the hall and the long stairway. If you're up for it, the climb of several hundred steps takes you to the top to pay respects and take in the river view; if you'd rather not, the riverside down below is an easy place to spend time.

In front of the temple there's a small floating market, Wat Thammamun Floating Market, set against the Chao Phraya as a backdrop, with local snacks and a riverside feel to sit and relax. It's a spot that brings together both the temple-going crowd and the nature crowd in one place — good for a morning stop before the sun gets strong.

Riverside, rice fields and the town's chilled-out corners

Beyond the main landmarks, Chai Nat has plenty of little riverside and rice-field corners to enjoy without much planning. Drive along the Chao Phraya through town and you'll pass piers, riverside cafés and stretches of green rice fields. From late rainy season into early cool season (roughly November–January) the weather is just right — green fields and clear skies — which is the most comfortable time to visit Chai Nat.

A 1-day Chao Phraya riverside nature trip

If you've only got one day, this route works well — you cover the bird park, a low hill and the riverside without rushing.

If you have two days, stay a night in town and the next morning carry on with a temple-and-old-community route around Sankhaburi, or extend the trip to nearby Uthai Thani and Nakhon Sawan.