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 “Mueang 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.

How to get there
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.

Festivals

Ongkharak Ornamental Plants and Flowers Fair
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.

Sweet Plum Mango and Nakhon Nayok Products Fair
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.

Tak Bat Thewo Rohana Fair
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.

Thai Merit Making (Sat Thai) & Long boat Racing Festival
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.