Nakhon Nayok
Often overlooked by tourists, Nakhon Nayok is beginning to make a comeback as a destination for adventure and cultural thrill seekers. Since it is located only 106 kilometers from Bangkok, the province is often seen as merely a day trip destination. But all that is starting to change. Famous for its incredible scenery (including a number of waterfalls and parks), adventure activities, historical sites and agricultural pursuits, Nakhon Nayok is a prime destination for visitors to Thailand.
The province borders Prachin Buri, Chachoengsao, Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima and Pathum Thani, and spands over 2,000 square kilometers. The northern area of the province is dominated by the Don Phaya Yen mountain range, part of the Khoa Yai National Park. The highest peak, Yod Khao Kiew, reaches 1,292 meter above sea level. However the province’s central region lies on the plain of the Maenam Nakhon Nayok.
Nakhon Nayok dates back over 900 years to Dvaravati period. Archeological evidence suggests that the first inhabitants settled in the southern region, but by the Ayutthaya period, much of the community had moved east to a more forested region of the province called Ban Na. The highland was infertile due to highly acidic soil and it was not until the exemption of the paddy field tax that people began settling the region in earnest.
