The wind is blowing slowly, hearing swaying leaves accompany on chirping birds. Old and new buildings on both sides are in descending order by height. The echo of the sound of a spoon hitting the bottom of the glass is heard from the row houses passed by , this is a charm of Sapphaya Market Old Community, Chai Nat Province, where its way of life carries on slowly but uniquely. 

Find the Past

Houses on the eastern shore of the Chao Phra Ya River are modern buildings and the residential line on the western shore is built by the first generation of carpenters. Although one-story, low-roof, unpainted wooden row houses built in the north around 1956 are considered residences in the pioneer era in the neighborhoods, they are not as old as the one-story, raised platform, hip roof building with its pearl decoration that was built more than half a century earlier.

Hip roof building has been erected in the middle of the community on Ratchaphatsadu Land along the western shore of the Chao Phra Ya River for more than 100 years. It is the oldest local police station in Thailand. Plus, historical evidence has proved that the place was an overnight stop for private travel of King Rama V in 1901 and 1906.

Meet the Present

The full-of-memory old police station was successfully renovated in 2017 with almost 100 per cent intact sapwood clapboards, shorea wood pillars, Tabaek floor and antique tiles. Inside displays historical exhibition including old photographs of Sapphaya Market Community as learning sources for next generations. The place was awarded outstanding architectural preservation in the category of buildings by ASA (The Association of Siamese Architects Under Royal Patronage) for the year 2018. Moreover, it was registered as tangible cultural heritage from Department of Cultural Promotion in 2021. It deserves the local museum’s dignity that Chai Nat people have always been proud of.

Continue the Future

The atmosphere, the way of life and the architecture hung over with the scent of yesterday’s vibe have been attracting all people of all genders and ages from nearby districts and provinces to stop by to take beautiful pictures at Sapphaya Market Old Community —— vintage clothes with off-white local museum in stark contrast to lush green grass background, stylish clothes with background of art wall painted of villagers’ culture showing artists’ craftsmanship or casual clothes among relaxing nature by the river. All these impressions can be collected from this rich and diverse community since the past.

Foodie, shopper and the chill-out must not miss the walking street that serves both food and local wisdom products such as coconut and black sesame crisp which is Sapphaya’s traditional snack, Kanom Kong, floral rice cake as well as quince in syrup. Also, there are toddy palm planting, toddy palm climbing and cooking from toddy palm products such as Palmyra Palm Mung Bean and Palmyra Palm Boiled Fermented Fish etc. No need to worry about being tired and achy after walking all day, there is a massage to help loosen the muscles.

In addition, there are performances and local activities to join from 15:00 hr. - 20:00 hr. every first Saturday and Sunday of the month. The place was awarded the 2nd prize of Superb Rural Tourism Village Project in the category of Responsible Tourism Village from Tourism Authority of Thailand and Community Based Tourism Standard from Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration for the year 2020. This is a guarantee of enjoyment! 

Location: Tambon Sapphaya Meung Sapphaya, Chai Nat Province 17150

Travel Around

• Chao Phraya Dam is the first large barrage in Thailand. There is a bridge stretching to the Chao Phraya River for a walk in the cool breeze and enjoy the view of the dam. If coming in the evening, it is recommended that waiting for the sunset to reflect its last light on the water, so romantic and beautiful.
• Wat Khao Sapphaya Wattanaram: Pay homage to the statue of Luang Pu Fueng, who is famous for being invulnerable and the statue of Luang Po Buddha Samred of the community, which Sapphaya people were uniting in an attempt to build and complete within one day. The statue is decorated with more than 100,000 pieces of bas-relief golden mosaic tiles of Buddha image.