Over one million tourists a year visit the Thai province of Nakhon Nayok. Surprisingly, 95% of them Thai.
If you ask Thailand to call Westerners in tourist destinations, most would list the famous beach resorts like Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui. Someone might even mention the city of Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Those who really know the country have been placed as Kanchanaburi, Pai, the Golden Triangle and the smaller islands and beaches. Absolutely nonewould mention Nakhon Nayok.
Yet this small Thai province, only 100km east of Bangkok, is one of the most visited destinations in Thailand. The area is renowned for its waterfalls, rivers and forest. It sits at the foothills of Khao Yai National Park, which is one of the finest natural attractions in Thailand. The cool mountain water that flows out of this park feeds the rivers and waterfalls of Nakhon Nayok.
Every weekend, thousands of Thais flee the heat of the city to play in the refreshing waters of the famous waterfall in Nakhon Nayok as Sarika and Nang Rong. Other picnic by the river, beneath the towering trees of Wang Takhrai Botanical Garden.
However, is the latest attraction, which in fact has seen boom of tourism in the area. The completion of Khlong Tha Dan Dam in 2005, has an enormous boost to the tourist trade Nakhon Nayok. The dam is the largest in Thailand and the largest of its kind in the world. This is an impressive building and the charm oftourists in itself. Its biggest benefit is that Nakon Nayok River now has water all year round. Nakhon Nayok's tourist trade had always been seasonal, relying on the rainy season as the waterfalls dry up to a trickle during the dry season. The construction of the Klong Tha Dan Dam means they can now release water into Nakhon Nayok River all year round.
Other attractions in Nakhon Nayok include rafting or kayaking down Nakhon Nayok River. There is also trekking around the forested foothills of Khao Yai National Park or even 3-day treks right into the heart of the park. Nakhon Nayok has plenty to offer for those looking for soft adventure sports.
Thai tourists have enjoyed visiting this area for a long time. Surely, it is only a matter of time before western visitors start to discover the charms of Nakhon Nayok.
No comments:
Post a Comment