Nakhon Nayok

Nakhon Nayok

General Information

Nakhon Nayok is a destination which is often taken for granted by many tourists. The fact that it is located just 106 kilometers from Bangkok and its attractions may be visited as a day trip makes it just a stop over spot for travelers. But this is not always the case. Nakhon Nayok is famous for its refreshing natural beauty including waterfalls and parks, renowned historical sites, soft adventure activities, and its variety of fruits.
Nakhon Nayok is one of Thailand's central provinces. Covering some 2,130 square kilometres, it borders Saraburi and Nakhon Ratchasima Provinces on the north, Prachin Buri Province on the east, Chachoengsao Province on the south and Pathum Thani Province on the west.
The northern part of Nakhon Nayok is located in the Dong Phaya Yen mountain range an area covered by the Khao Yai National Park. Yod Khao Kiew, its highest peak, is 1,292 meters above sea level. The central part of the province is on a contrary, a rather flat river plain formed by the Maenam Nakhon Nayok. The southern part of the province has relatively unfertile acidic soil.
The provincial seal says a lot about Nakhon Nayok. It is a picture of a circle indicating the unity of Nakhon Nayok people. An elephant raising an ear of rice in the circle represents fertile forests with numerous elephants. An ear of rice refers to farming which is fruitful. The background with a pile of straw, trees and clouds depicts fertility and the natural beauty of the province.
Nakhon Nayok is a province with a history of over 900 years. It was believed to have been established in the Dvaravati period as indicated by some remains found in Ban Dong Lakhon, a village to the south of the town. During the Ayutthaya period and the reign of King U-Thong, the town which was an eastern garrison was only a forested but infertile highland called Ban Na (village of the rice field). Jungle fever, unfruitful and unproductive agriculture forced the settlers to migrate elsewhere. It was not until the King granted an exemption of paddy field tax that people began to move in and settle down as a community. It was then named Muang Nayok which literally means the town that the paddy tax was lifted.
In 1894, under the royal command of King Rama V, Nakhon Nayok was designated as part of Prachin Buri province. Eventually, it became a province in its own right.

Symbol

The provincial seal shows an elephant holding an ear of rice with its trunk. This symbolizes the fertile rice fields as well as the forests with numerous elephants. In the background two piles of straw, trees and clouds symbolize the natural beauty of the province. Provincial flower and tree is the Silk-Cotton Tree.

Getting there

By Bus

From Bangkok: Buses leave the Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal) on Kamphaengphet Road (Tel: 02 936-3660 and 02 936-3666) every 30 minutes from 5.30 a.m. to 8.30 a.m. daily. Air-conditioned buses cost 70 baht/single journey. Regular (none air-conditioned) buses cost 37 baht.
There are two other routes operated by transport companies: Bangkok-Hin Kong-Nakhon Nayok and Bangkok-Rangsit-Ongkharak-Nakhon Nayok. For more information, contact Tel: 0 2537 8055 and 0 2936 2841. In addition, there are also second-class air-conditioned buses operating from Bangkok-Ongkharak-Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy (by-passing the Nakhon Nayok town).

By Car

From Bangkok
For the shorter route, take Highway No. 305 (along Rangsit canal) passing Ongkharak district. The total distance is 106 kilometers.
For the longer route, take Highway No. 1, turn right at Hin Kong and then drive towards Suwannason Road (Highway No. 33). The total distance is 137 kilometers.

Festivals

Ongkharak Ornamental Plants and Flowers Fair

Ongkharak Ornamental Plants and Flowers Fair is annually held in April at Khlong 15, Tambon Bang Pla Kot, Amphoe Ongkharak. The contests of ornamental plants and flowers, mini-garden arrangement contests, and an academic exhibition regarding plants and flowers.

Sweet Plum Mango and Nakhon Nayok Products Fair

Sweet Plum Mango and Nakhon Nayok Products Fair takes place annually during February-April in front of the City Hall. It is held to promote Ma-prang (sweet plum mangoes), and other agricultural products and handicrafts. The fair features a procession of agricultural products, sweet plum mangoes contests, agricultural products contests, sweet plum mango beauty pageants, student performances, goods stalls of the public and private sectors as well as selling of inexpensive goods.

Tak Bat Thewo Rohana Fair

Tak Bat Thewo Rohana Fair, a festivity where offerings are made to monks. The festivity is held annually on the 1st day of the waning moon of the 11th month of the lunar calendar or the end of the Buddhist lent. During the festivity, 109 monks descend from Wat Khao Nang Buat to accept offerings from the townspeople.

Thai Merit Making (Sat Thai) & Long boat Racing Festival

Thai Merit Making (Sat Thai) & Long boat Racing Festival is annually held in October along Khlong 29 at Wat Thawiphon Rangsan, Amphoe Ongkharak. The fair showcases a variety of long boats racing, making Krayasat contest (Krayasat is a sticky paste made from rice, bean, sesame, and sugar, usually eaten during Sat Thai Festival), merit making on Sat Thai day, and local entertainment at night.

Interesting Products

Bamboo Products

Bamboo Products Bamboo products are produced in Tambon Sarika, Amphoe Muang. Products include a miniature sail boat, a pea*****, and human faces. These products are sold around Sarika, Nang Rong waterfalls as well as Wang Takhrai.

Brooms

Brooms Manufactured in Tambon Sarika, Amphoe Muang, Tambon Na Hin Lat, Tambon Khok Kruat, Tambon Nong Saeng, Amphoe Pak Phli. The brooms are made with indigenous grass and the broomstick is made from a piece of wood from a tree of the Apocynaceae family or made of bamboo. It can be found throughout the province.

Dala

Dala is a flower of Etlingera or Jack Jr. Rosemary. Along Highway Number 3049 as well as the route to Wang Ri Resort, a number of Dala orchards can be found. For your own try at flower cutting and a direct purchase of flowers from the orchards is possible at Suan Dala Saeng Thong (off Highway 3049, take a left turn for 12 kilometres). The Dalas blooming season is from November to May.

Doormats made from scrap cloth

Doormats made from scrap cloth is produced in Tambon Khao Phoem, Amphoe Ban Na. The scrap cloth, also made into bed covers, are sold in various sizes at furniture stalls of Ban Na market and Amphoe Mueang.

Khanom Pia

Khanom Pia is made at Amphoe Ban Na. It was so good that it received the Shell Chuan Chim mark, a guarantee of a good taste. It is available throughout Nakhon Nayok.

Marble Products

Marble Products A marble quarry is located near Nakhon Nayok hospital, Amphoe Mueang, and at the intersection to Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy. There are several products including vases, kettles, watches, bracelets, lampshades, and nameplates available.

Preserved Fruits

Preserved Fruits such as star apples, tamarinds, mangos, santol, and lime. They are sold at the Ban Yai intersection, Amphoe Muang or Dong Chok Di Housewife Association at Ban Dong, Tambon Sarika, Amphoe Muang. The supply of fruits come from fruit orchards of the members; some of the cultivated fruits are sold fresh while others are converted into various products. Fruits such as mangoes, jackfruits, pineapples, star apples, tamarinds, and garcianias, which are preserved, are available seasonally.

Sugared Banana Chips (Kluai Chap)

Sugared Banana Chips (Kluai Chap) and sugared sweet potato and sugared taro chips are produced in Tambon Sarika, Amphoe Muang. They are sold around the Sarika and Nang Rong waterfalls.

Sweet Plum Mango (Ma-prang)

Sweet Plum Mango (Ma-prang) is the most well known fruit of Nakhon Nayok (it is a sweet fruit and is similar to Ma-yong-chit - a fruit of sour taste). The harvesting season of Ma-prang is during February to March. They are grown in a number of orchards located on Nakhon Nayok-Namtok Sarika route. If you should be travelling to this area during the harvest season, you can buy Ma-prang at the orchards.