Located 9
kilometers south of town in Dong Lakhon Sub-district, Ban Dong
Lakhon is a site where religious artifacts including fragments
of Buddha images, seals, jewelry and ornaments were found. They
are now on displayed at the Prachin Buri National Museum.
The findings
from the excavation can be dated back to the Dvaravati Period.
The settlement that was discovered was oval in shape, 600 meters
wide and 700 meters long, with double city walls and culverts, a
common Dvaravati style in Thailand’s central region.
The site was
initially called "Mueang Lap Lae" which literally means
mysterious town. Legend has it that Mueang Lup Lae was a town
where the Queen of Cambodia resided. The town was hidden from
the outside world by dense tall trees which usually prevented
visitors from entering or exiting. Local people were able to
hear royal classical Thai music played during the night. Thus
they called the area “Dong Lakhon”. (Lakhon in Thai means a
classical play) The Fine Arts Department registered Dong Lakhon
as a national historical site on March 8, 1935.
The most honored
Shrine in the city, the San Lak Mueang has been reconstructed
and renovated several times. Situated near the Old City, it was
once an old Shrine housing a 1-metre wooden column with a
carving of a lotus at the top. In 1910, the City Pillar was
enshrined at the Red Building of the Sri Nakhon Nayok School
where a new four-cornered pavilion situated along Maenam Nakhon
Nayok was established to house the Pillar. Inside the Shrine
visitors will see one corner dedicated to Narai, a Hindu God,
and another corner to a Buddhist image from the Ayutthaya
period.
Situated in
Phramani Sub-district on the way to Namtok Sarika and Namtok
Nang Rong, this is a unique waterfall originating from a small
stream which flows through a large rocky formation at the foot
of a small hill. The best time to visit the waterfall is during
the rainy season. To get there, take a left turn at Prachakasem
intersection (about 8 kilometers on the route to the Saithong
Reservoir), and then proceed for another 5 kilometers.
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.
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
Man’s 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.
A training
center for Thai military cadets, the Academy is located at the
foot of Khao Cha Ngok, 14 kilometers west of the town. Apart
from providing the best educational services, the compound also
offers a wide range of attractions and activities. Attractions
open to the public include a museum, a golf course, and a
shooting range. Recently, the “Boot Camp Program” which allows
the public to explore and experience some parts of the military
exercises was initiated.
Touring the Academy, which covers an area of some 3,000 rai of
land, by car, is the best option. However, bicycles can be
rented from the tourist centre in the Academy’s compound.
Attractions in
the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy include:
Built to honor
His Majesty King Chulalongkorn (King Rama V) the founder of the
Academy, the Monument is situated at the headquarters. The
Monument depicts King Chulalongkorn seated in full Army regalia,
bearing the Royal Insignia of the Supreme Commander of the Thai
Forces.
Built as a
recreation area for military cadets, the Pavilion was
constructed under the command of Field Marshall Crown Prince
Phitsanulok Prachanat. It is also a place where a sculpture of
King Rama V is enshrined.
A perfect place
to learn about the history of war and its consequences, the
museum displays biographies of famous graduates, history of
wars, weapons of war and uniforms of soldiers of neighboring
nations, as well as a wax sculpture of King Rama V. Open daily
from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Admission fee is 10 bahts.
Khun Dan was
Nakhon Nayok’s supreme administrative leader during the reign of
King Naresuan the Great of the Ayutthaya Kingdom. During the war
between the Kingdom and the Burmese, the Khmers took the
opportunity to invade Nakhon Nayok and claim the city under its
sovereignty. It was here that Khun Dan set up a camp to mobilize
the people and fought back. He defeated the Khmers in 1587. The
Shrine is one of the most highly respected shrines by local
residents.
Initially, the
only painting featuring several Buddha motifs in different
postures on a cliff wall facing a small hill near Khao Cha Ngok
was found in a place formally called Wat Khao Cha-Ngok. In 1942,
the Map Department of the Royal Thai Army decided to build a
marble quarry at the foot of the hill and began restoring the
paintings.
Several sporting
activities are available for the public. This include shooting
(at a standard shooting range), canoeing, ridding on a rescue
sledge (in the Academy’s reservoir), and golfing in an 18-hole
golf course. Group activities available are trekking, camping,
and climbing either a real or an artificial cliff. Advance
booking (of at least 7 days) is highly recommended.
Accommodation and restaurants are available. For more
information, contact the Tourist Information Centre, located in
the Military Housewife Association Building, Royal Military
Academy branch, from 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., tel: 0 3739 3010-5
ext. 62961-2.
Getting to the
Academy from Bangkok is easy. It is located in Phrommani
Sub-district, just 75 kilometers from Bangkok via the
Bangkok-Ongkharak route.
Originating from
Khao Yai National Park, the Nakhon Nayok River branches out at
Wang Takhrai Canal. Canoe rafting trips leave from Wang Ta Krai
Canal (next to Wang Ta Krai Bridge) and proceeds along Nang Rong
Canal to the Nakhon Nayok River. There are many exit points
along the river bank such as at Ban dong, Kaeng Sam Chan, Wang
Kutapha and Wang Yao. The distance for each section is 2-5
kilometers. The river is quite smooth without rapids, but may
have many unexpected (but thrilling) twists and turns.
The canoeing
routes as follows
• Wang Takhrai
Bridge - Sam Chan Rapids: distance - 3 kms.
• Wang Takhrai Bridge - Wang Kutapha: distance - 4 kms.
• Tha Dan Bridge - Sam Chan Rapids: distance - 3 kms.
• Tha Dan Bridge - Wang Kutapha: distance - 4.5 kms.
• Wang Takhrai Bridge - Wang Yao: distance - 6.5 kms.
• Tha Dan Bridge - Wang Yao: distance - 6.5 kms.
More complete
and up-to-date information, regarding current prices and water
(current) conditions, can be obtained from the TAT office in
Nakhon Nayok tel: 037 312-282 and 312-284.
* Trekking,
please refer to section in Khao Yai National Park.
Wang Takhrai,
which is located quite close to Namtok Sarika, is a resort and a
botanical garden belonging to the Chumphot - Phanthip
Foundation. Wang Takhrai encompasses a total area of 1,500 rai
(about 600 acres) and is renown for its scenic landscape, small
rocky creek and wide variety of plants. In addition, there is a
wide range of activities awaiting visitors including swimming,
riding downstream on inflated tire inner tubes, canoeing, or
cycling. Camp sites and bungalow facilities are also available.
Wang Takhrai is
located in Hing Tang Sub-district, approximately 16 kilometers
from Nakhon Nayok town. A fun, one-day trip is possible, as
visitors may drive to all the attractions within the compound.
The Military
Memorial is located in this temple, Sarika Sub-district,
approximately 5 kilometers on the way to Namtok Sarika-Nang Rong
(Highway No. 3050). During World War II, the 37th Quartermaster
Infantry of the Japanese Military located their camp at the
temple. In 1992, the Friend of Asian Alliance War Association
built the memorial to honor the 7,920 Thai soldiers who were
recruited to work in the camp and died in the war. Their ashes
which were once placed in the temple are now put in the altar of
the memorial.
An additional
attraction is an elaborate Buddha image which was brought here
during the war from Vientiane by migrating Laotians. The Buddha
image is commonly called “Phra Phuttarup Pak Daeng” (the
red-lipped Buddha image). Please ask the abbot to see the Buddha
image.
