Wat Chung Nang Fish Raft

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 – 17.00

 

Wat Chung Nang Fish Raft in Phitsanulok Province, also known as the fish-conservation raft at Wat Si Rattanaram (Chung Nang), is a small but meaningful community-based attraction on the Nan River. Located in Tha Thong Subdistrict, Mueang Phitsanulok District, the site was created through cooperation between the temple, the local community, and local authorities to conserve fish, protect the riverside environment, and promote kindness toward living creatures. Today, large numbers of fish gather in front of the temple, making the raft a peaceful place for feeding fish, making merit, enjoying the river atmosphere, and learning about local conservation.

 

The fish raft is located at Wat Si Rattanaram, commonly called Wat Chung Nang by local people, in Moo 4, Tha Thong Subdistrict, Mueang Phitsanulok District, Phitsanulok Province. The temple stands beside the Nan River, one of the most important waterways in the province. From Phitsanulok city, visitors can travel along the Phitsanulok–Nakhon Sawan road. After passing Naresuan University for about 2–3 km, there is a sign for Wat Chung Nang on the right-hand side. From there, visitors continue into the local community road until reaching the temple beside the river.

 

The importance of Wat Chung Nang Fish Raft comes from a simple but powerful conservation idea. The temple and local community wanted to protect the river environment and create a safe area for fish in front of the temple. The abbot kindly used leftover food from the monks’ meals to feed the fish, and over time many fish began to gather in the area. This turned the riverside space into a living fish sanctuary where people could see aquatic life up close while also learning about compassion, conservation, and Buddhist values.

 

The area has been recognized as a protected merit zone, or khet aphaiyathan, where catching or harming fish is not allowed. In Thai Buddhist culture, such areas express the principle of non-harming and compassion toward living beings. At Wat Chung Nang, this idea is practiced in a very concrete way. The temple, villagers, and visitors all share responsibility for keeping the fish safe and preserving the river environment.

 

The atmosphere at the fish raft is simple, calm, and family-friendly. Visitors can stand near the raft, watch the fish gather near the water surface, and feed them carefully. When food touches the water, large groups of fish often swim together in a lively scene. Children usually enjoy this activity, while adults appreciate the peaceful riverside setting. Feeding fish here is not only a tourist activity; it also encourages people to feel connected with nature and understand the value of protecting aquatic life.

 

The Nan River has shaped life in Phitsanulok for centuries. Communities were established along the river because it supported travel, settlement, agriculture, trade, and daily living. Temples along the river therefore became more than places of worship; they became community centers where faith, water, and local life met. Wat Chung Nang Fish Raft reflects this relationship clearly. It shows how a temple can help protect the river and turn a local riverside space into a place of learning and merit-making.

 

Wat Si Rattanaram (Chung Nang) itself is an important community temple in Tha Thong. It contains several places of interest such as the fish sanctuary project, chanting hall, bell tower, Luang Pho Khao vihara, old chedi, old monks’ residences, ordination hall, Luang Pho Sai vihara, sermon hall, and the large Intharapheri drum. This means that visitors can do more than feed fish. They can also pay respect at the temple, walk around the compound, and experience a local Buddhist community beside the Nan River.

 

The name Wat Chung Nang remains strongly connected with local memory. Although the official temple name is Wat Si Rattanaram, many people know it by the older and more familiar local name. The temple is also associated with community activities and local cultural events in Tha Thong Subdistrict. For visitors interested in community-based travel, the site offers a softer and more local experience than the major temples in central Phitsanulok.

 

For children and students, the fish raft is a useful outdoor learning site. It helps explain river ecology, fish conservation, protected aquatic areas, and responsible behavior around waterways. Seeing many fish living safely in one area makes conservation easier to understand. The site teaches that protecting nature can begin with simple actions: not throwing trash into the river, not catching fish in a protected zone, and respecting the shared environment of the community.

 

For Buddhist visitors, feeding fish at Wat Chung Nang is connected with the idea of giving, compassion, and non-violence. Many people visit the temple first to make merit or pay respect, then go to the raft to feed the fish. This activity should be done responsibly by using suitable food, avoiding plastic waste, and following temple guidelines. In this way, merit-making remains aligned with environmental care.

 

Visitors should understand the rules of the protected zone. Fishing, netting, trapping, or harming aquatic animals is not appropriate in this area. The purpose of the fish raft is to protect fish and allow them to live safely in front of the temple. Responsible visitors should focus on observing, feeding appropriately, keeping the area clean, and helping preserve the peaceful nature of the site.

 

Wat Chung Nang Fish Raft is also a good example of small-scale community tourism. It does not rely on large buildings or commercial attractions. Instead, it uses the temple, the river, the fish, and community cooperation to create a meaningful place. This type of tourism supports local pride and environmental awareness while preserving the calm character of the temple and riverside community.

 

In a broader Phitsanulok travel route, Wat Chung Nang Fish Raft is a pleasant stop between the city center, Naresuan University, Tha Thong Subdistrict, and Wat Chulamani. Visitors can begin the day at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan, Wat Nang Phaya, and Wat Ratchaburana in the city, then continue toward Tha Thong to visit Wat Chung Nang and Wat Chulamani. This route combines major temples, riverside communities, conservation, and local culture.

 

Getting There is convenient by private car from Phitsanulok city. Use the Phitsanulok–Nakhon Sawan road toward Tha Thong Subdistrict. After passing Naresuan University for about 2–3 km, look for the Wat Chung Nang sign on the right-hand side. Turn into the community road and continue to the temple beside the Nan River. Visitors without private vehicles can use a local taxi, songthaew, or ride-hailing service and tell the driver to go to Wat Si Rattanaram (Chung Nang), Tha Thong.

 

The best time to visit is in the morning or late afternoon, when the weather is cooler and the riverside atmosphere is more pleasant. The site is generally open daily from 08.00 to 17.00. Visitors should allow about 30 minutes to 1 hour for paying respect at the temple, feeding fish, taking photos, and relaxing by the river. Families with young children should supervise them carefully near the water and raft area.

 

Wat Chung Nang Fish Raft is suitable for families, children, students, Buddhist visitors, environmental learners, community-tourism travelers, and anyone looking for a quiet riverside stop near Phitsanulok city. Its main activities are feeding fish, observing the protected aquatic area, making merit, and enjoying the peaceful Nan River atmosphere. The site is easy to visit and does not require a long travel time, making it suitable for a short cultural and environmental stop.

 

Culturally, the fish raft shows the relationship between Buddhism and environmental conservation. The temple promotes compassion, the community protects the river, local authorities support the project, and visitors help by following the rules. When all these parts work together, Wat Chung Nang Fish Raft becomes more than a place to feed fish. It becomes a small but meaningful example of how local faith can support nature conservation.

 

For travelers who want to see a simple, peaceful, and locally meaningful side of Phitsanulok, Wat Chung Nang Fish Raft is worth visiting. The site offers the calmness of a temple, the cool atmosphere of the Nan River, the lively movement of fish, and the story of a community working together to protect the environment. A visit here is both relaxing and educational, showing how a small riverside temple can become a place of kindness, conservation, and shared responsibility.

 

 

A: It is located at Wat Si Rattanaram (Chung Nang), Moo 4, Tha Thong Subdistrict, Mueang Phitsanulok District, Phitsanulok Province, beside the Nan River.

 

A: It is a community-based conservation attraction and protected merit zone created to protect fish and promote environmental awareness along the Nan River.

 

A: Yes. Visitors can feed fish responsibly by using suitable food, avoiding litter, and following temple and community guidelines.

 

A: It means the area is protected for aquatic animals. Fishing, catching, or harming fish is not allowed so the fish can live and reproduce safely.

 

A: It is open daily from 08.00 to 17.00.

 

A: The temple is under the care of Phra Ratchathamkhani, the abbot of Wat Si Rattanaram (Chung Nang), with support from the local community and local authorities.

 

A: Travel along the Phitsanulok–Nakhon Sawan road. After passing Naresuan University for about 2–3 km, look for the Wat Chung Nang sign on the right and continue to the temple beside the Nan River.

 

A: Nearby attractions include Naresuan University, Wat Chulamani, Sgt. Maj. Thawee Folk Museum, Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat Woramahawihan, and Wat Nang Phaya.