Chai Nat (Thai: ชัยนาท, pronounced [t͡ɕʰāj nâːt]) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighbouring provinces are (from north clockwise) Nakhon Sawan, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri, and Uthai Thani. The town of Chai Nat is 188 km north of Bangkok.

Geography

Chai Nat is on the flat river plain of central Thailand's Chao Phraya River valley. In the south of the province the Chao Phraya Dam (formerly Chainat 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

Chai Nat was first established during the Ayutthaya period and was used as a successful base of operations for confronting the Burmese army. As the Burmese were defeated every time, the area earned the name Chai Nat, "place of victory".

Symbols

The provincial seal shows a dhammachakka and in the background a mountain. It refers to the Dhammachak Buddha image housed in the wihaan of Wat Dhammamoen, built on the slope of a mountain.

Chai Nat (Thai: ชัยนาท; from Sanskrit Jayanāda जयनाद, "resounding of victory") can refer to: