Famous for its forest and waterfalls, the province adds new activities to boost its profile among visitors.
Nakhon Nayok is full of gardens and refreshingly lush landscape. Just over an hour's drive from Bangkok, the province is a popular destination among nature lovers, particularly during the rainy season when the countryside is shrouded in greenery and its streams overflowing.
In recent years the province has tried to market itself as a weekend destination among travellers, but without the same degree of success as the coastal resorts of Hua Hin and Pattaya.
According to Benjawan Sunetvorakul, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand's (TAT) Central Region Office, 1.1 million people visited Nakhon Nayok last year, of which 95% were Thai.
A large percentage of them travelled there during the rainy season for rafting and to frolic in its numerous waterfalls.
"These days we have come up with a new strategy (to attract tourists) as the province has several spots that would rank among the top in the world," noted Ms Benjawan.
The road along Khlong 15 in the province's Ongkharak District is believed to be the longest stretch of garden in Thailand, while Wat Khiriwan temple houses a replica of the highly revered Phra Kaeo statue, the largest in the country, and to top it off the district of Prachan Takhram boasts of 15 waterfalls, more than in any single district in Thailand.
In addition, Nakhon Nayok is famous for its fruit orchards such as durian, ma prang and mayong chid, while the Chulachomklao Military Academy offers a range of activities including military training which should appeal to young, energetic travellers.
Meanwhile, TAT is trying to market Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaew and Chachoengsao under a single package.
Towards the end of October when the fruit season draws to a close, attention shifts to bottlenose and Irrawaddy dolphins in Bang Pakong River in Chachoengsao Province.
The area east of Bangkok is already popular among local travellers, and efforts are now underway to attract foreign tourists, notably from Malaysia, Korea and Taiwan, said Ms Benjawan, who recently led a roadshow to Kuala Lumpur.
"There are a number of Korean travellers keen to enter Cambodia overland via Sa Kaeo," she elaborated.
Nakhon Nayok boasts of some 2,000 guest rooms and although most are occupied on weekends, they remain largely empty on weekdays. That's why it's important to tap foreign tourists.
"There is a road lined with small to medium rustic resorts. We call it the 'Road of One Hundred Resorts' though there are not as many. Most of the resorts are rustic style villas with prices ranging from 500-1,500 baht a night.
"Ban Suan Sarika is a new resort built in pastel candy colour, while the Suanhong Gardenview Resort comprises small wooden villas that go for 860 baht a night on weekdays and 1,200 baht/night on weekends," said Ms Benjawan.
MICE is another important segment she is hoping to tap.
"We're close to Bangkok. I believe Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri and even Sa Kaeo can serve as venues for companies wanting to hold meetings or seminars outside the city," said the director.
Nakhon Nayok, with its expansive woodlands and rice fields, is home to some 40 species of birds, according to Mr Poo, our guide during a bicycle tour to catch a glimpse of our feathered friends. The best time watch birds is early morning and late afternoon.
We rode past dirt roads under the shade of trees and spotted the white-necked kingfisher, spotted dove and red-wattled lapwing.
For abseiling buffs, there's Khao Lon. A 17-metre-high wall there serves as a training ground for budding enthusiasts. They spend a day learning tricks of the trade before heading the following day to Khao Yai National Park to try out their newly-acquired skills in real conditions _ the Than Rattana Waterfall. It is a whole day programme in which enthusiasts rappel down five stretches of rock walls from a height of 70 metres. If you have a fear for heights stay away.
Nakhon Nayok also offers homestay for tourists keen to learn about the lifestyle of local farmers. There are 11 homes that welcome such guests. The cost is 100 baht per night per person.
"My orchard covers an area of seven rai. I grow durian, pomelo and rambutan," said one farmer. "If you come between February-March, it is the season for ma prang and mayong chid. From March till May it's time for mangosteen, ma fai rieng thong and pomelo."
The fruit season lasts until August. Contact Tha Dan Homestay for further information.
"TAT expects 10 percent growth in the number of visitors to Nakhon Nayok, given stronger public relations campaign and new tourist products," said Ms Benjawan.
"Tha Dan Dam, a royally-initiated project, will be completed soon. It is a new attraction. Standing 93 metres high and 2,720 metre long, it will be the largest roller-compacted concrete dam in the world."
Nakhon Nayok is full of nature parks and Wang Ta Krai, a popular retreat among local travellers, is one of them. With a free-flowing stream, waterfalls and lodges under the canopy of towering trees, it's ideal for family outings or day-long picnic excursions. Spread over 600 rai, the park is upgrading itself to improve its appeal to modern-day travellers. New landscaping and a lotus pond are being contemplated.
The park has 25 lodges available at a flat rate of 800 baht per night.
Apart from Wang Ta Krai, Nang Rong and Sarika waterfalls are the other favourites of local travellers.
Meanwhile, for golf buffs there's the nine-hole Hillside Country Home Golf & Resort in the nearby Prachin Buri Province. The 50-room resort is offering a special package valued at 1,290 baht that includes accommodation and green fees over two days.
Another attraction in Prachin Buri is the Wat Kaew Pichit temple built in 1879. It is a blend Thai, Chinese, Khmer and French architecture.
Khao Yai National Park can also be accessed via Prachin Buri. The park is famous for nature trails and waterfalls, particularly Haew Narok. Khao Yai along with Thap Lan, Pang Sida, Ta Phraya, Dong Yai have been declared World Heritage sites and a formal announcement to that effect is expected in November.
The forest complex is the second in Thailand _ after Thung Yai-Huai Kha Khaeng _ to be granted the prestigious status.
Bangkok Post September 2005 www.bangkokpost.com
