Date: February 16 – 22, 2010
Venue: The Chainat Bird Park, Chainat Province, Thailand

Rice-fields predominate the landscape of Chainat Province where rice is a major commercial crop grown. Hay, a by-product of rice cultivation, is available in great abundance. This has led to an initiative by the villagers to creatively transform this agricultural by-product into a craft and an economic asset.

Hay from the fields is used to make bird-shaped hay stacks known as the “Hoon Fang“. Colourful, in various shapes and forms and true to life, these hay structures, the key attraction of the Chainat Hoon Fang Straw Bird Fair are so extraordinary, they have become the province’s most popular attraction. To produce a top quality, intricate piece of handicraft from the hay, the farmers also grade the hay which is then crafted into miniature straw birds. The miniature straw birds have become a popular item among tourists as a souvenir of their visit to Chainat.

The Chainat Straw-Bird Festival features a variety of activities such as Straw-Bird Contests, “Young Talent” Contests, village handicraft competitions, a Light-And-Sound show, special performances, sales of products under the “One Village. One Product” theme, and exhibits by the state sector.

The Chainat Bird Park on Phaholyothin Road offers an added attraction. The park which stretches over an area of 300 rai houses a 26 rai bird enclosure, the biggest of its kind in Asia. Over 200 species co-habit within this space. There are also a further 63 other individual bird enclosures of varying sizes to house predatory birds and the smaller birds.

Contact information:

Tourism Authority of Thailand , Suphan Buri Office
Tel: +66 (0) 3553 6030
Fax: +66 (0) 3553 6030
E-mail: tatsuphan@tat.or.th