FESTIVALS
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Welcome to Nakhon Nayok
Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand
General
Nakhon Nayok is another tourist destination not far from Bangkok. The province comes alive during the holidays with tourists. Nakhon Nayok is renowned for it’s refreshing waterfalls and abundant varieties of fruits.
Historically, it is believed that the area of Ban Dong Lakhon, which is situated to the south of Nakhon Nayok town, was a Dvaravati settlement, dating back for more than a thousand years. As for the name of “Nakhon Nayok”, records going back to the Ayutthaya’s period indicated that it was an Eastern frontier town during the reign of King U-Thong. In 1894, under the royal command of King Rama V, Nakhon Nayok was designated as a part of Prachin Buri province. Eventually, it became a province.
In the past, Nakhon Nayok was called “Ban Na” (village of the rice field). From hearsay, during Ayutthaya period, Nakhon Nayok was just a forested highland, on which farming nor planting was fruitful. Jungle fever was everywhere, thus the town people migrated elsewhere, leaving the place deserted. News of the plight of people reached the King. Subsequently, the King commanded that paddy field taxes be lifted to encourage the people to stay on, which worked, and also enticed the people around the area to migrate to the town. After that, it became a large community and the town was renowned as “Muang Nayok” (the town that paddy (tax) was lifted).
Attractions
37th Quartermaster Infantry of Japanese Military Memorial
37th Quartermaster Infantry of Japanese Military Memorial , located at Phrommani Temple, Tambon Sarika, 5 kilometres on the way to Namtok Sarika-Nang Rong. During World War II, the 37th Quartermaster Infantry of the Japanese Military camped at this temple. The Friend of Asian Alliance War Association built the memorial in 1992 to honour the 7,920 Thai soldiers who were recruited into the Japanese 37th Quartermaster Infantry that died in the war. Their relics were moved from the temple and placed in the memorial altar.
In the church, there is a very elaborately-decorated Buddha image whose lips are red. According to hearsay, the Buddha image had been brought from Vientiane by the migrating Laotians during a war. The Buddha image is commonly called “Phra Phuttarup Pak Daeng” (the red lipped Buddha image). Normally the chapel is closed, but visitors can see the Buddha image with the approval of the abbot.
Ban Dong Lakhon Archeological Site
Ban Dong Lakhon Archeological Site is located in Tambon Dong Lakhon, which is 9 kilometres to the south of Nakhon Nayok town. It was formerly called " Mueang Lap Lae "(a mysterious town).
It is the site of the location of the old town during the Khmer period. It is surrounded by earthen walls and culverts that the locals call “San Khu Mueang” meaning double city walls with water canals all around, which is of Dvaravati style common in the central region of Thailand. There were two peaks of civilization, of which the first was between the 14th to the 16th Buddhist Century which was of Dvaravati culture. The second peak was between the 17th to the 19th Buddhist century which was a blend of Khmer culture and a pre-Ayutthaya architectural style. It is believed that during 19th Buddhist century, Dong Lakhon people might have migrated to live along the major rivers in Nakhon Nayok and is assumed to be associated with Si Mahosot town, which was 55 kilometres away. Artefacts discovered in this are include; an elaborate gold head of a Buddha image about the size of a fingertip, crab and elephant ring-stamps, bronze ring, glass beads, rock beads, and bronze ear-rings.
Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy
Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy , located in Tambon Phrommani, 14 kilometres from Nakhon Nayok town and 75 kilometres from Bangkok using the Bangkok-Ongkharak route. The Academy is adjacent to Khao Cha-ngok Mountain and occupies an area of about 3,000 Rais (1,200 acres). It is a training centre for the Thai military cadet. There are several interesting attractions in the Academy compound, which can be accessed by car. However, if you should prefer the peace and quiet and would rather be close to nature, bicycles can be rented at the tourist centre in the Academy compound.
Huai Prue Reservoir
Huai Prue Reservoir , situated in Tambon Khao Phra. It is accessed by taking a left turn at kilometre 1 marker of the Namtok Sarika-Nang Rong road into Khao Thurian road for another 11 kilometres This is a small reservoir by volume but has a large water surface. The reservoir is filled all year round and surrounded by an unpaved road. Because of the reservoir’s beautiful landscape, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is developing the area into a real recreation attraction for the general public and, due to the possible use of the reservoir for rowing, canoeing, boat sailing, and windsurfing in some season, into a potential water sports centre of Nakhon Nayok as well.
Lan Rak Falls or Tat Hin Kong Falls
Lan Rak Falls or Tat Hin Kong Falls , situated in Tambon Phrommani on the way to Namtok Sarika and Namtok Nang Rong. You can get there by taking a left turn at Prachakasem intersection (about 8 kilometres on the route to the Saithong reservior), and then continue on a laterite road for another 5 kilometres The attractive waterfall originates from a small stream passing through a large rocky formation at the end, then flowing strongly through the large rocky formation at the foot of a small hill. This is a very unique and beautiful waterfall, but which can be seen only in the rainy season.
Lord Buddha’s Footprint Replica at Khao Nang Buat
Lord Buddha’s Footprint Replica at Khao Nang Buat , housed in a square structure with four arches and a pyramidal roof (mondop) on top of Nang Buat hill. The hill is located in Tambon Sarika, which is 9 kilometres from Nakhon Nayok town. The hill is about 100 metres high with a concrete staircase running from the base of the hill to the top comprising 227 steps. This replica of the Lord Buddha’s Footprint was built in 1858 on the 8th day of the waning moon in the 12th month of the lunar calendar in the Year of the Cock. The festivities to worship the Lord Buddha’s Footprint Replica at Khao Nang Buat is held annually in the middle of the fifth month of the lunar calendar.
Luang Pho Sian Nakhon
Luang Pho Sian Nakhon the revered Buddha image of the townspeople is enshrined at Bunnak Rakkitaram temple (Wat Tam). It is assumed that this sacred Buddha image dates back to Phra Ruang Era of the Sukhothai period. During an excavation at a whisky brewery, located near Wat Nang Hong, Tambon Tha Chang in the year 1952, the head of a Buddha image was found . The head was kept at a school then known as Nayok Phitthaya School (at present no longer exists), later it was enshrined at Wat Bunnak Rakkitaram. In 1968, the rest of the parts of the Buddha image other than the Buddha’s head was recreated and a new chapel was constructed to house the new completed Buddha image. Since then, the Buddha image came to be known as “Luang Pho Sian Nakhon”.
Namtok Phra Chai
Be hind the temple is “Namtok Phra Chai” (Phra Chai Waterfall), a small waterfall that cascades some 30 metres from a cliff into a basin below which is completely filled during the rainy season. Locals and visitors alike can enjoy themselves in the basin. Besides these attractions, there are several sporting activities available for the public including shooting, which is done at a standard shooting range. There is also canoeing and a rescue sledge that can be enjoyed at the Academy’s reservoir. There is also an 18-hole golf course in the Academy compound. Group activities like trekking and camping are available at Khao Cha-ngok. Climbing either a real cliff or an artificial one is possible with at least 7 days advanced booking. Accommodation and restaurants are available. For more information, contact the Tourist Information Centre, located in the Military Housewife Association Building, Royal Military Academy branch, during the time of 08.00-16.00, tel: 0 3739 3010-5 ext. 62961-2.
Namtok Sarika
Namtok Sarika is the most famous waterfall of Nakhon Nayok, located in Tambon Sarika. It is situated to the northeast of Nakhon Nayok town, in the Khao Yai National Park. The waterfall cascades down in 9 levels, of which the top level is 200 metres up. Each level (of 9 levels) of the falls has a large basin, which could hold a large amount of water in the rainy season, but it is dried up in dry season. Accommodation, restaurants and souvenir shops are available. The local products of brooms and artificial flowers made from wild pine are sold here.
Nang Rong Falls or Namtok Nang Rong
Nang Rong Falls or Namtok Nang Rong , situated in Tambon Hin Tang. It is 20 kilometres to the northeast of Nakhon Nayok town on Highway Number 3049. The waterfall originates from a source on a high mountain in Khao Yai National Park. It cascades down several levels onto rock formations, flowing through verdant forests. Although at every level the height of the falls is not much, but its natural scenic beauty is what makes it a popular tourist attraction during the weekends. Within the falls’ ground, bungalows and restaurants are available.
San Lak Muang
San Lak Muang (City Pillar Shrine) at one time it was a shrine housing a 1-metre wooden column topped with a carving in the form of a lotus bud, situated near the Old City Wall, which at present is the residence of the Provincial Land Assistant as well as the Municipality Sanitary Service Centre. In 1910, the neglected city pillar was enshrined at the Red Building in the women school of Sri Nakhon Nayok School. Later the shrine was rebuilt into an elegant four-cornered pavilion. Nowadays, City Pillar Shrine is the most revered shrine of the townspeople.
Wang Takhrai
Wang Takhrai , located in Tambon Hing Tang near Namtok Nang Rong and is 16 kilometres from Nakhon Nayok town. The place is owned by Krommamuen Nakhon Sawan Sakpinij and M.R. Phantip Bariphat. Wang Takhrai is filled with huge, shady trees and has a small stream running through. The are also a variety of beautiful species of ornamental flowers and plants. It is located on an area of 1,500 Rais (about 600 acres) of land. A drive around the area can be made by car. A one-day trip in Wang Takhrai is possible; nevertheless, a camping site for an overnight stay is available.
Transportation
Bus
By Bus: the Transport Co., Ltd. (Bo Kho So) operates daily non-air-conditioned and air-conditioned buses from the Northern Bus Terminal on Kamphaengphet 2 Road. There are two routes: Bangkok-Hin Kong-Nakhon Nayok and Bangkok-Rangsit-Ongkharak-Nakhon Nayok. For more information, contact tel: 0 2537 8055 and 0 2936 2841. Additionally, there are specially-run second-class air-conditioned buses from Bangkok-Ongkharak-Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy (by-passing the Nakhon Nayok town) available.
Car
The province is situated 100 Prachin Buris northeast of Bangkok, or less than a two-hours’ drive from Bangkok.
By Car: the province can be accessed in two ways:
-First: driving along Highway No.305, along Rangsit canal passing Amphoe (district) Ongkharak. This route is about 107 kilometres
-Second: taking Highway No.1, take a right turn at Hin Gong, and then drive along Suwannason Road (Highway No.33). This route is about 137 kilometres
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