Nakhon Nayok is another
tourist destination not far from Bangkok.
The province comes alive during the holidays
with tourists. Nakhon Nayok is renowned
for it’s refreshing waterfalls and
abundant varieties of fruits.
Historically, it is believed that the area
of Ban Dong Lakhon, which is situated to the
south of Nakhon Nayok town, was a Dvaravati
settlement, dating back for more than a thousand
years. As for the name of “Nakhon Nayok”,
records going back to the Ayutthaya’s
period indicated that it was an Eastern frontier
town during the reign of King U-Thong. In 1894,
under the royal command of King Rama V, Nakhon
Nayok was designated as a part of Prachin Buri
province. Eventually, it became a province.
In the past, Nakhon Nayok was called “Ban
Na” (village of the rice field). From
hearsay, during Ayutthaya period, Nakhon Nayok
was just a forested highland, on which farming
nor planting was fruitful. Jungle fever was
everywhere, thus the town people migrated elsewhere,
leaving the place deserted. News of the plight
of people reached the King. Subsequently, the
King commanded that paddy field taxes be lifted
to encourage the people to stay on, which worked,
and also enticed the people around the area
to migrate to the town. After that, it became
a large community and the town was renowned
as “Muang Nayok” (the town that
paddy (tax) was lifted).
Distances from Amphoe Mueang Nakhon Nayok
to neighbouring Amphoes (districts) :
Amphoe Pak Phli 9 kilometres
Amphoe Ban Na 17 kilometres
Amphoe Ongkharak 32 kilometres