Nakhonnayok

Today, I introduce about Nakhonnayok.

Nakhonnayok 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.
Nakhonnayok 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 stopover spot for travelers. But this is not always the case. Nakhonnayok is famous for its refreshing natural beauty including waterfalls and parks, renowned historical sites, soft adventure activities, and its variety of fruits.
The northern part of Nakhonnayok 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 Nakhonnayok River. The southern part of the province has relatively unfertile acidic soil.


Tourism
 

 Lak Mueang (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. Later the shrine was rebuilt into an elegant four-cornered pavilion. Nowadays, City Pillar Shrine is the most revered shrine of the townspeople.

Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy 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. Attractions in the Chulachomkloa Royal Military Academy include:

King Rama V Monument It was built in honour of and reverence to His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) who was the founder of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy.

Circular Pavilion, historically, under the command of Field Marshal Crown Prince Pitsanulok Prachanat, the circular pavilion was built as a recreation area for the military cadet. It enshrines a sculpture of King Rama V.

100 Year Royal Military Academy Museum exhibits biographies of the graduates who performed public services and also displays history of wars, weapons that were used in wars in the past, various uniforms of soldiers of all forces as well as a wax sculpture of King Rama V.

Shrine of Chao Pho Khun Dan is a revered shrine of the Thais. Historically, Khun Dan was a commander in Nakhon Nayok during the Ayutthaya period. His heroic deed was the expulsion of the Khmer rebels in the year 1587, during the reign of King Naresuan Maharat.

Phra Phutthachai or Wat Phra Chai was formerly named “Wat Khao Cha-ngok”. In the year of 1942, the Army’s Map Department built a marble quarry at the foot of the hill and restored and enhanced the Buddha images. Phra Phutthachai is sacred to the townspeople.

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.

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 festivity 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.

Ban Dong Lakhon Archeological Site It is the site of the location of the old town during the Khmer period. Artifacts’ discovered in this area 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.
37th Quartermaster Infantry of Japanese Military Memorial (อนุสรณ์สถานกองพลทหารญี่ปุ่นที่37) 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.

Namtok Sarika is the most famous waterfall of Nakhon Nayok. 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. Nearby, there is “Sarika Cave” where the revered monk “Luang Pu Man” resided on his religious missions from 1917-1920.

Lan Rak Falls or Tat Hin Kong Falls 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.

Wang Takhrai is filled with huge, shady trees and has a small stream running through. There are also a variety of beautiful species of ornamental flowers and plants.

Nang Rong Falls or Namtok Nang Rong 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

Huai Prue Reservoir 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.

Sai Thong Reservoir This small reservoir offers a natural mountainous landscape. The small waterfall runs all throughout the year. OUT-OF CITY ATTRACTIONS Amphoe Ban Na

Namtok Ka-ang The water cascades through gaps between large rocks. Nearby, there is an Agriculture Transplanting station of the Forestry Department. In the vicinity is a small hill that enshrines the Buddha image in an attitude of subduing Mara.

Namtok Wang Muang The waterfall features cascades through lines upon lines of big boulders and falling to a basin.

Thudongkhasathan Thawon Nimit is a meditation centre of monks, novices, nuns, and the general public. There are hundreds of shelters for monks, nuns, and general public to practice the Buddhist perceptions.

Namtok Heo Narok This is a 3-tiered large waterfall with its first tier at 60 metres high. During the rainy season, there is such a lot of water that the flow is frightening and will drop straight down at 90 degrees to a lower chasm.
Chao Pho Ongkharak Shrine In front of the shrine in the middle of the Nakhon Nayok river, there is a sacred whirlpool, of which the water taken is used in royal ceremonies. When the present king, King Bhumibol Adulyadej ascended to the throne, water from this whirlpool was used during the ceremony.

Ornamental Plants and Floral Centre On this road, especially at the intersection of khlong 15, there are various plant nurseries that grow a large variety of ornamental plants and flora which are sold to every corner of the country.



Festival

 

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 Nakhonnayok 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

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 are also held.