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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.
Khao Yai National Park
Thailand’s second largest National Park, Khao Yai National Park covers an area
of 2,168 square kilometers, of which some 25% is in Nakhon Nayok Province. The
remaining areas are in parts of the neighboring provinces of Saraburi, Prachin
Buri and Nakhon Ratchasima. Khao Yai was listed as the first National Park in
Thailand on September 18, 1962. The highest peak in Khao Yai is Yod Khao Laem,
which is 1,292 meters above sea level. Khao Yai is famous for its distinct
landscape dense, virgin forests, streams, waterfalls and high-altitude plains,
which are a safe haven for wildlife including several mammal species such as
elephants, tigers, gibbons and deer, and over 300 bird species such as giant
hornbills and silver pheasants. In addition, the flora and fauna are impressive,
with more than 2,500 kinds of trees, plants and flowers.
Attractions in the Park include beautiful waterfalls, and jungle treks, which
start in Nakhon Nayok.
How to get to Khao Yai
From Bangkok, take Don Muang-Hin Kong route, then turn
left on to Highway No.33, which leads to Noen Hom Intersection. Alternatively,
use the Rangsit Road and drive towards Nakhon Nayok-Noen Hom Intersection. From
Noen Hom Intersection, proceed 41 kilometers to reach the Office of the National
Park.
From Nakhon Ratchasima, use the Mitraphap Road along Pakchong District. The
total distance to the park is 81 kilometers.
Khao Yai National Park Admission Fee:
Foreign Tourists Adult
Children |
400
200 |
Baht
Baht |
Entrance Fees for Vehicles are:
Bicycles
Motorbikes
Cars/Vans
Buses/Coaches (24 seats)
Buses/Coaches (24 seats up)
Trucks (1-4 Tons, 4-wheeler)
Trucks (4 Tons, 6-wheeler) |
20
30
50
100
200
200
300 |
Baht
Baht
Baht
Baht
Baht
Baht
Baht |
* No Entry for 4 ton trucks or trucks with more than 6-wheels
Namtok Heo Narok
 Located
to the south of the Park, this beautiful 3-tiered waterfall cascades from a
200-meter cliff through forested mountains onto the plains below. Its first tier
is 60 meters high. The scene is breathtaking, particularly when watching the
strong currents flowing from the first layer to the lower layers at a 90-degree
angle before disappearing into the deep valley. The waterfall is truly
spectacular and equally dangerous claiming at least one elephant death per year
as wild elephants jungle path is through the waterfall.
The waterfall is accessible via Route No. 3077 (Prachin Buri-Khao Yai Route).
Traveling by car from the city, drive along Suwannason Road, take a left turn to
Highway Number 3077 at Noen Hom intersection or Naresuan roundabout in Prachin
Buri Province, and proceed to the Km. 24 marker.
From Bangkok, take the Don Muang-Hin Kong route; turn left on to Highway No. 33,
which leads to Noen Hom Intersection. Alternatively, use the Rangsit Road and
drive towards Nakhon Nayok-Noen Hom Intersection, then switch to Highway No.3077
to Namtok Haeow Narok.
By Bus: From Bangkok. There are several bus companies
operating on the Bangkok-Prachin Buri route. Buses depart from the Northern Bus
Terminal on Kamphaengphet 2 Road. Get off the bus at Naresuan Intersection and
then hire a song taew to Khao Yai National Park.
Namtok Sarika
 The
most famous waterfall in Nakhon Nayok is located in Sarika Sub-district,
approximately 15 kilometers east of the city along Highway No. 3050. The
nine-tiered waterfall cascading down the cliff to a forested hillside has a
large natural pool on each level which is sometimes is perfect for swimming.
Accommodations, restaurants and souvenir shops are available. Local products
including brooms and artificial flowers made from wild pine are sold in shops
around the waterfall.
Luang Pu Man, the famous and revered monk, had resided in nearby Sarika Cave
for his religious meditation from 1917-1920. Other than Luang Pu Mans meditation
place inside the cave there is also a chapel located at the top-end of the cave.
In addition, there are residences of monks and nuns who pursue inner-path
meditation.
Getting to this picturesque waterfall is very convenient. Drive along Highway
No. 3049 for about 12 kilometers, then take a left turn to Highway No. 3050 and
proceed for another 3 kilometers.
Namtok Nang Rong
Located in Hin Tang Sub-district, part of the Khao Yai National Park, this
multi-tiered waterfall flows down to several rock formations below and then to
the lush forests. A small pool at each level makes the waterfall a perfect place
for visitors to literally immerse themselves in the natural beauty.
Namtok Nang Rong is located some 20 kilometers on Route No. 3049. Visitors
should proceed for 7 kilometers from the Km. 12 marker of the same Highway in
order to reach the waterfall. Accommodations, toilets and restaurants are
available. The waterfall attracts numerous visitors during the festive seasons
and long holidays.
How to get there
Distances from Amphoe Muang Nakhon Nayok to
neighboring Amphoes (Districts):
Amphoe Pak Phli
Amphoe Ban
Amphoe Ongkharak |
9
17
32 |
kms.
kms.
kms. |
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 bahts/single
journey. Regular (non air-conditioned) buses cost 37 bahts.
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.
Traveling from Nakhon Nayok to neighboring
provinces
Buses to Prachin Buri, Chachoengsao, Saraburi, and Chanthaburi Provinces are
available. For more information, contact the Transport Co. Ltd. Tel. 0 3731
1932.
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