Nakhon Nayok Province

Nakhon Nayok (Thai: นครนายก) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand, established in March 1946. Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, Chachoengsao, and Pathum Thani. The province is subdivided into 4 districts (amphoe) - Mueang Nakhon Nayok, Pak Phli, Ban Na and Ongkharak.
The name of the city derives from Sandskrit: Nakhon, a common name in Thailand, simply means ‘city’, while Nayok has been translated as ‘tax free city’. The city was likely established during the Dvaravati Period, 11th century. Ancient ruins, Mueang Boran Dong Lakhon, are located south of the city.
The northern part of the province is in the Sankamphaeng Range, the southern prolongation of the Dong Phaya Yen mountain range, with the highest elevation the 1,292 meter high Yod Khao Kiew. Most of that area is covered by the Khao Yai National Park. The central part of the province however is a rather flat river plain formed by the Nakhon Nayok River at the head of which is the Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam (bottom left). The southern part of the province has relatively infertile acidic soil. The main river of the province is the Nakhon Nayok River. It joins the Prachinburi River at Pak Nam Yothaka in Amphoe Ban Sang, Prachinburi province, which then becomes the Bang Pa Kong River.
For such a small province, 70th in rank, Nakhon Nayok has a good selection of tourist sites. While there is a concentration of natural features, especially lakes and waterfalls, to the north of the province, the rest does not lack evidence of its historical past from the Dvaravati Period, through the Lopburi era, to the Ayutthaya Period and to the present Rattanakosin Dynasty.
Local products noted for this province includes Sweet Plum Mango, Dala (a flower of Etlingera or Jack Jr. Rosemary), Marble Products, Bamboo Products, Brooms, Doormats made from scrap cloth, Sugared Banana Chips (Kluai Chap) and Preserved Fruits.
Festivals include Tak Bat Thewo Rohana Fair (religious), Sweet Plum Mango and Nakhon Nayok Products Fair , Thai Merit Making (Sat Thai) and Long boat Racing Festival, Ongkharak Ornamental Plants and Flowers Fair.