Ban Dong Lakhon Archaeological Site
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.
City Pillar Shrine
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.
Namtok Lan Rak or Namtok Tat Hin Kong
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.
Namtok Nang Rong
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.
Namtok Sarika
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.
Phra Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy
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:
King Rama V Monument
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.
Circular Pavilion
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.
The 100-Year Royal Military Academy Museum
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.
Shrine of Chao Pho Khun Dan
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.
Phra Phutthachai or Wat Phra Chai
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.
Namtok Phra Chai
This small waterfall cascading some 30 meters from a cliff into
a basin is situated behind Wat Khao Cha-Ngok.
Activities in the Academy
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.
Rafting along Nakhon Nayok River
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
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.
Wat Phrammani
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.
