Nakhon Nayok has long been a popular destination for day trippers due to its proximity to Bangkok. Waterfalls remain all-time favourite attractions among tourists. Yet, there have been some changes. The sight of many teenagers and low-quality tourists talking and singing loudly and heavily drinking is no longer common due to stricter regulations, including a ban on alcohol in the national parks like Khao Yai. Another change -- many more tourists opt for going to farms and reservoirs to enjoy stunning views, cycling amid nature and visiting temples to seek spiritual solace.
Embraced by mountains and nestled 105km from the heart of Bangkok, Nakhon Nayok was declared a province in 1946. Covering an area of 2,122km², this province is known for its natural beauty and is home to part of Khao Yai National Park, Thailand's first.
Nakhon Nayok's history dates to the Dvaravati Period (6th-13th centuries). Archaeological evidence consists of traces of the old city wall, moat and mounds in tambon Dong Lakhon. However, the original name of "Nakhon Nayok" is "Ban Na". It once served as a frontier to the east of the Ayutthaya Kingdom during the reign of King U Thong, the first monarch of the empire. This area used to be a deep forest where malaria was a constant threat. Furthermore, it is on high grounds unsuitable for some kinds of farming. For these reasons, residents gradually moved out, leaving it to be a deserted town. Hence, a king later waived the collection of farmland tariffs to attract more people to settle in the area. Finally, it became a large community called "Muang Nayok" meaning the town where rice fields were given for free.
Wang Takrai Park covering 2.4km² of land is located by Highway 3049 in tambon Hin Tang, 16km from downtown Nakhon Nayok. It is private property operated by the Chumbhot-Pantip Foundation. It has many flowers and decorative plants. A beautiful stream runs through the area and is perfect for swimming. Bungalows are available for leasing. In March, visitors will be amazed by the stunning beauty of blossoming yellow flowers of golden trees (Tabebuia spectabilis) or lueangIndia in Thai. However, the flowers wither and fall within two days after blooming. Visit wangtakrai.com. Jetjaras Na Ranong
Nakhon Nayok has a lot to offer to different groups of tourists. Those wanting to get close to nature without trekking can enjoy themselves at any of several popular waterfalls, including Sarika, Nang Rong, Wang Muang, Ka-Ang and Tat Hin Kong (Lan Rak), and Wang Takrai Park.
Adventure seekers can drive ATV vehicles on several routes like at Khao Lon Adventure centre or from Highway 3049 to Khao Kwang Garden, play paintball or try cliff climbing at numerous places, such as the Sai Thong waterfall.
Cycling is also a popular provincial activity. Each recommended route takes at least two hours for cyclists to complete. Among the attractions to ride past are Wang Takrai Park, Nang Rong and Sarika waterfalls, several temples, Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam, verdant farms, the Khao Lon Adventure Centre and numerous birdwatching spots.
Another nice destination for cyclists is the Ban Hoob Moei Tourism Learning Centre in tambon Hin Tang, Muang district, where visitors view the hilly countryside, trek on a nature trail and learn about local cultures and traditions, such as off-season rice farming and mushroom growing.
Nang Rong Waterfall is part of Khao Yai National Park. It is nestled off Highway 3049 in tambon Hin Tang, 20km from downtown Nakhon Nayok. The falls have several low levels with natural pools for visitors to swim. However, it is not safe to swim there in the rainy season when the current is very strong. Tourists need to walk 400m to see the entire area. Bungalows are available for rent. Call 037-307-100.
A hidden gem for adventure seekers, mountain bikers and four-wheel-drive motorists is Klong Maduea, a remote area with the watershed area near Wang Takrai. Nature there remains pure. Patience and suitable vehicles, especially four-wheel-drive trucks, are required for visitors to get there and cross the rocky stream.
Part of the Khao Yai National Park, the Sarika Waterfall descends 100m from a cliff and has nine levels, each of which has a natural pool. Fish thrives in the lower part of the stream. Visitors can climb a concrete staircase to the second level. It is dangerous to swim in this waterfall during rainy season. Near the entrance is the shrine for Chao Phor Palat Jang and Chao Mae Sarika who protect this area. Their statues were carved from wood from the golden shower wood. It is located 15km from downtown Nakhon Nayok. To get there, take Highway 3049 for 12km, turn left to 3050 and go for 3km.
Religious persons may want to visit some of many temples, including Wat Phrammani which boasts a red-lipped Buddha image, and Sarika Cave where the highly revered monk Phra Acharn Mun Phurithatto practised dhamma and meditation from 1917-1920. Other interesting places are Wat Nang Rong, Chao Phor Ongkharak Shrine, Wat Pa Si Thavorn Nimitr, Wat Si Ka-Ang, Wat Khiriwan, Ji Tek Lim Buddhist Centre, Phra Ganesh Park and Makha Bucha Anusorn Buddhist Park. The newest attraction is a bamboo tunnel at Wat Chulabhorn Wanaram in Ban Na district.
Luang Phor Pak Daeng, or the red-lipped Buddha statue, is the principal Buddha image of the century-old Wat Phrammani at kilometre marker 4 on Sarika-Nang Rong Road (Highway 3049). The statue is Lanchang art in the meditation posture and made of bronze. It is 1m tall and has a 125cm-wide lap. It is highly revered and legend has it that the statue fulfils worshippers' wishes. Those whose wishes come true mostly return to present nine banana bunches, nine sets of betel nuts and leafs, nine garlands of flowers and one bottle of red-coloured soft drink.
Those with the green hearts may be interested in the organic farms and orchards in Nakhon Nayok, including orchards of durian and other fruits along the 7km route to Klong Maduea, the IPM Pomelo planting area covering over 100 rai of land in tambon Sarika, and Por Farm, an organic melon farm in Ban Na district.
Before going home, tourists can shop until they drop at numerous markets, including fruit markets and the new Theng Nong weekend market. Fruit lovers must try Nakhon Nayok's most renowned fruit -- the Marian plum or plango (mayong chit in Thai).
Marian plum or plango (mayong chit in Thai) is the most popularly grown fruit in Nakhon Nayok. The harvest season lasts from February to March. Many orchards are situated on the Nakhon Nayok-Sarika Waterfall route and open to tourists to visit and buy the fruit. During March 15-19, the annual fruit festival of Nakhon Nayok takes place at Tesco Lotus Nakhon Nayok. Visitors can buy organic farm produce, fresh and preserved fruits.
Located in Moo 8, tambon Khao Phoem in Ban Na district, Por Farm is an organic melon farm where visitors can stroll through greenhouses for planting melon, pumpkin and other temperate flowers. After a walk, you can shop for fresh melons, and savour tasty melon dishes and desserts, including som tam, pies, Chinese buns, ice cream, cakes and smoothies. The farm is open 9am-5pm daily except Wednesdays. Call 086-453-1820 or go to Facebook: PorFarm.
Those who love gardening may regard the flower and decorative plant centre in the Klong 15 area as a paradise to purchase as many kinds of trees and plants and gardening tools as they want.
At the end of the day, visitors will return home with happy hearts and fully pleased palates but perhaps almost empty pockets after shopping sprees in Nakhon Nayok.
Located in Ban Tha Dan of tambon Hin Tang, Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam, or the former Klong Tha Dan dam, is a roller-compacted concrete dam. Initiated in 1993 by King Bhumibol Adulyadej and renamed by the king as Khun Dan Prakan Chon, this dam is 2,594m long and 91m tall and has the capacity to keep a maximum of 224 million cubic metres of water. The edge of the dam is a viewpoint while the nearby area has a garden, learning centre and pier for visitors to board passenger boats to tour the reservoir and at least three nearby small waterfalls. Visitors can ride golf carts for sightseeing at the price of 30 baht per head per trip. Boats are operated 8am-4.30pm daily. The fee for hiring a boat is 1,000 baht per one-hour trip. Call 037-384-192.
Klong Maduea is a stream in Tambon Sarika, Muang district. There is also a waterfall by the same name. From the main road, visitors must travel by pickup, preferably four-wheel-drive, for about 7km. Visitors can enjoy unspoiled nature, cycling and trekking and camping near the stream. Bungalows, tents and camping gear are available for rent. However, certain areas deep in the forest are forbidden zone as part of the Khao Yai National Park. On the way to Klong Maduea are fruit orchards, including durian, jackfruit and Burmese grape (mafai in Thai).
A new attraction, which reminds tourists of Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Japan, is the bamboo tunnel in the compound of Wat Chulabhorn Wanaram in Ban Na district. The long stretch of bamboo trees provides shades and serves as a popular photo spot.
