Nakhon Nayok province
{{short description|Province of Thailand}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Nakhon Nayok
| native_name = นครนายก
| native_name_lang = th
| settlement_type = Province
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage|position=center
| photo1a = Nakhon_Nayok_-_Wat_Udom_Thani_-_วัดอุดมธานี_จังหวัดนครนายก_-_ภาพ_02.jpg
| photo1b = Wat Luang Pho Pak Daeng วัดพราหมณี หลวงพ่อปากแดง นครนายก 04.jpg
| photo2a = Ban Phrik, Ban Na - Bamboo grove of Wat Chulabhorn Wanaram - AUG 2023 - img 03.jpg
| photo2b = มศว องครักษ์ ภาพถ่าย 04.jpg
| photo3a = Khun Dan Prakarn Chon dam, up water side.JPG
| size = 300
| spacing = 1
| color = white
| border = 0
}}
| image_alt =
| image_caption = (clockwise from upper-left): {{ill|Wat Udom Thani|th|วัดอุดมธานี}}, Luang Pho Pak Daeng Buddha at Wat Phrammani, Bamboo Forest of Wat Chulaphonwanaram, Buddharupa Shrine of Srinakharinwirot University’s Ongkharak Campus, {{ill|Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam|th|เขื่อนขุนด่านปราการชล}}
| nickname =
| motto = นครนายก เมืองในฝันที่ใกล้กรุง ภูเขางาม น้ำตกสวย รวยธรรมชาติ ปราศจากมลพิษ
("Nakhon Nayok. City of dreams near the capital. Beautiful mountains. Gorgeous waterfalls. Rich in nature. Free of pollution.")
| image_flag = Flag of Nakhon Nayok.svg
| image_seal = Seal Nakhon Nayok.png
| image_map = Thailand Nakhon Nayok locator map.svg
| mapsize = frameless
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Map of Thailand highlighting Nakhon Nayok province
| coordinates =
| coordinates_footnotes =
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Thailand
| seat_type = Capital
| seat = Nakhon Nayok City
| leader_party =
| leader_title = Governor
| leader_name = Chanon Vasiksiri
| leader_party1 =
| leader_title1 = PAO President
| leader_name1 =
| area_footnotes = {{cite web |url=https://www.forest.go.th |title=Table 2 Forest area Separate province year 2019 |publisher=Royal Forest Department |access-date=6 April 2021}}
| area_total_km2 = 2,141
| area_rank = 67th
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = {{increase}}259,770
| population_as_of = 2024
| population_rank = 73rd
| population_density_km2 = 121
| population_density_rank = 39th
| population_demonym =
| population_note =
| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_title1 = Total
| demographics2_info1 = baht 27 billion
(US$1.0 billion) (2019)
| timezone1 = ICT
| utc_offset1 = +7
| demographics_type1 = Human Achievement Index
| demographics1_title1 = HAI (2022)
| demographics1_info1 = 0.6509 "somewhat high"
Ranked 25th
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| postal_code = 26xxx
| area_code_type = Calling code
| area_code = 037
| iso_code = TH-26
| website = {{URL|nakhonnayok.go.th}}
| footnotes =
}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Nakhon Nayok Provincial Administrative Organization
| native_name = องค์การบริหารส่วนจังหวัดนครนายก
| native_name_lang = th
| settlement_type = Provincial Administrative Organization
| government_type = Local administrative divisions
| governing_body = Nakhon Nayok Provincial Administrative Organization
| leader_title = President
| leader_name = Nida Yaynangam
| website = {{URL|khonyok.go.th}}
}}
Nakhon Nayok ({{langx|th|นครนายก}}, {{IPA|th|ná(ʔ).kʰɔ̄ːn nāː.jók|pron}}) is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand, established by the Act Establishing Changwat Samut Prakan, Changwat Nonthaburi, Changwat Samut Sakhon, and Changwat Nakhon Nayok, Buddhist Era 2489 (1946), which came into force on 9 May 1946.
Neighboring provinces are (from north clockwise) Saraburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, Chachoengsao, and Pathum Thani.
Nakhon Nayok is known for waterfalls and fruit varieties.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}}
Nakon Nayok is a nearby province to Bangkok and has various tourist attractions. Khao Yai National Park, Thailands oldest national park is in partly in Nakhon Nayok province and attracts many tourists.{{Cite journal|last=Round|first=Philip D.|last2=Gale|first2=George A.|date=2007-10-17|title=Changes in the Status of Lophura Pheasants in Khao Yai National Park, Thailand: A Response to Warming Climate?|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7429.2007.00363.x|journal=Biotropica|volume=40|issue=2|pages=225–230|doi=10.1111/j.1744-7429.2007.00363.x|issn=0006-3606|url-access=subscription}} Khun Dan Prakarn Chon Dam is another tourist attraction 2 hours outside of Bangkok in Nakhon Nayok.{{Cite journal|last=Jetsadaareewong|first=Suphattra|date=2017|title=White Water Rafting Management at Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam, Nakornnayok Province|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3076749|journal=SSRN Electronic Journal|doi=10.2139/ssrn.3076749|issn=1556-5068|url-access=subscription}}
Toponymy
The word nakhon originates from the Sanskrit word nagara (Devanagari: नगर) meaning 'city', and the word nayok is thought to have been derived from the Sanskrit nāyaka (Devanagari: नायक) meaning 'leader' or 'captain'. However, in this connection, na means '[tax of] rice field' and yok means 'exempted'. Hence the name of the province literally means 'tax-free city'.{{cite web|url=http://www.nakhonnayok.go.th/cms/modules/sections/index.php?op=viewarticle&artid=2|publisher=จังหวัดนครนายก|script-title=th:ประวัติจังหวัดนครนายก|language=th|access-date=2008-03-07|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209061133/http://www.nakhonnayok.go.th/cms/modules/sections/index.php?op=viewarticle&artid=2|archive-date=2009-02-09}}
History
The city of Nakhon Nayok dates back to the Dvaravati Kingdom, probably founded in the 11th century. Ruins from this time are visible at Mueang Boran Dong Lakhon south of the modern city. Originally named Mueang Lablae, the name "Nakhon Nayok" was assigned to it in 1350, when it became a garrison town of the Ayutthaya kingdom protecting the eastern boundary.
On 1 January 1943 the government downgraded Nakhon Nayok province and combined it with Prachinburi province, except for Ban Na district which became part of Saraburi province.{{cite journal|date=10 December 1942 |script-title=th:พระราชบัญญัติยุบและรวมการปกครองบางจังหวัด พุทธศักราช ๒๔๘๕|trans-title=Dissolution and Consolidation Act in some provinces, Buddhist Era 2485 (1942) |url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2485/A/077/2447.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409014722/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2485/A/077/2447.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 9, 2008|access-date=2 December 2019 |journal=Royal Thai Government Gazette |volume=59 |issue=77 |pages=2447–2449}} On 9 May 1946 the province was re-established.{{cite journal |date=9 May 1946 |script-title=th:พระราชบัญญัติจัดตั้งจังหวัดสมุทรปราการ จังหวัดนนทบุรี จังหวัดสมุทรสาคร และจังหวัดนครนายก พุทธศักราช ๒๔๘๙ |trans-title=Act Establishing Changwat Samut Prakan, Changwat Nonthaburi, Changwat Samut Sakhon and Changwat Nakhon Nayok, Buddhist Era 2489 (1946) |url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2489/A/029/315.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409014726/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2489/A/029/315.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 9, 2008|access-date=2 December 2019 |journal=Royal Thai Government Gazette |volume=63 |issue=29 Kor |pages=315–317}}
Symbols
The provincial seal shows an elephant holding an ear of rice with its trunk. This symbolizes fertile rice fields, as well as the forests with numerous elephants. In the background two piles of straw, trees, and clouds symbolizing the natural beauty of the province.
The provincial tree and flower is the silk cotton tree (Cochlospermum religiosum). The provincial aquatic life is the red tailed tinfoil (Barbonymus altus).
Climate
Nakhon Nayok province has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification category Aw). Winters are dry and warm. Temperatures rise until May. Monsoon season runs from May through October, with heavy rain and somewhat cooler temperatures during the day, although nights remain warm. Climate statistics: maximum temperature is 42.2 °C (108 °F) in April and lowest temperature is 12.2 °C (54 °F) in December. Highest average temperature is 36.8 °C (98.2 °F) in April and minimum average temperature is 20.5 °C (68.9 °F) in December. Average annual rainfall is 1,823 millimeters in 134 days. Maximum daily rainfall is 195 millimeters in August.{{cite web |url=http://www.climate.tmd.go.th/content/file/75 |website=climate.tmd.go.th |title=Climatological Data for the Period 1981-2010 |year=2011 |pages=17–18 |department=Thai Meteorological Department |access-date=2 December 2019 |postscript=, Weather station Prachinburi at 29 km distance}}
Geography
File:น้ำตกนางรอง - panoramio.jpg is a natural attraction in Nakhon Nayok.]]
The northern part of the province is in the Sankamphaeng Range, the southern prolongation of the Dong Phaya Yen Mountains, with the highest elevation the 1,292-meter-high Yod Khao Kiew. Most of that area is covered by the Khao Yai National Park, {{convert|2166|km2|abbr=on}},{{cite web |url=https://catalog.dnp.go.th/dataset/areaofnp/resource/3b372140-f2bf-4811-8819-bb8a8b1a100a |title=ข้อมูลพื้นที่อุทยานแห่งชาติ ที่ประกาศในราชกิจจานุบกษา 133 แห่ง |date=December 2020 |department=Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation |language=Thai | trans-title=National Park Area Information published in the 133 Government Gazettes |access-date=1 November 2022}}{{rp|1}} along with three other national parks, make up region 1 (Prachinburi) of Thailand's protected areas. The central part of Nakhon Nayok province consists of a flat river plain shaped by the Nakhon Nayok River, while the southern part features relatively infertile acidic soil. The province has a total forest area of 642 km² (248 sq mi), accounting for 30 percent of its total area.{{cite web |url=https://www.forest.go.th |title=ตารางที่ 2 พี้นที่ป่าไม้ แยกรายจังหวัด พ.ศ.2562 |year=2019 |department=Royal Forest Department |language=Thai |trans-title=Table 2 Forest area Separate province year 2019 |access-date=6 April 2021 |postscript=, information, Forest statistics Year 2019}}
The main river of the province is the Nakhon Nayok River. It joins the Prachinburi River at Pak Nam Yothaka in Ban Sang district, Prachinburi province, which then becomes the Bang Pa Kong River.
Administrative divisions
=Central government=
=Local government=
As of 26 November 2019 there are:{{cite web |url=http://www.dla.go.th/work/abt/province.jsp |title=Number of local government organizations by province |date=26 November 2019 |website=dla.go.th |publisher=Department of Local Administration (DLA) |access-date=10 December 2019 | quote=17 Nakhon Nayok: 1 PAO, 1 Town mun., 5 Subdistrict mun., 39 SAO.}} one Nakhon Nayok Provincial Administration Organisation ({{lang|th-Latn|ongkan borihan suan changwat}}) and 6 municipal (thesaban) areas in the province. Nakhon Nayok has town (thesaban mueang) status. Further 5 subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambon). The non-municipal areas are administered by 39 Subdistrict Administrative Organisations - SAO (ongkan borihan suan tambon).
{{clear}}
Healthcare
=Hospitals=
There are six hospitals in the province:
- Nakhon Nayok general hospital with 314 beds.
- Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy Hospital with 90 beds.
- Pak Phli community hospital with 10 beds.
- Ban Na community hospital with 70 beds.
- Ongkharak community hospital with 31 beds.
- HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center with 500 beds.
=Health promoting hospitals=
There are total fifty-five health-promoting hospitals in the province, of which;
- 17 in Mueang Nakhon Nayok district
- 9 in Pak Phli district
- 14 in Ban Na district
- 15 in Ongkharak district.
Demographics
=Population=
Population history of Nakhon Nayok province is as follows:
{{cite web |url=https://www.nso.go.th/public/e-book/Statistical-Yearbook/SYB-2012/79/ |publisher=National Statistical Office Thailand |title=Statistical Yearbook Thailand 2012 |access-date=25 April 2025 |postscript= , year 2011}}
{{cite web |url=https://www.nso.go.th/public/e-book/Statistical-Yearbook/SYB-2021/77/ |publisher=National Statistical Office Thailand |title=Statistical Yearbook Thailand 2021 |access-date=25 April 2025 |postscript= , year 2020}}
| class="wikitable" style="width:80%;" | |||||||
| 1947 | 1960 | 1970 | 1980 | 1990 | 2000 | 2011 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 117,547 | 154,000 | 161,000 | 201,230 | 228,981 | 241,081 | 253,831 | 260,081 |
Religion
There are 222 Theravada Buddhist temples in the province.
- 95 in Mueang Nakhon Nayok district
- 39 in Pak Phli district
- 55 in Ban Na district
- 33 in Ongkharak district
Human achievement index 2022
| class="wikitable floatright" style="width:400px;" |
| style="text-align:center; width:100px; background:black; color:white;"| Health
| style="text-align:center; width:100px; background:black; color:white;"| Education | style="text-align:center; width:100px; background:black; color:white;"| Employment | style="text-align:center; width:100px; background:black; color:white;"| Income |
| 95px
| 100px | 100px | 100px |
| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 64
| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 3 | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 42 | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 35 |
| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| Housing
| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| Family | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| Transport | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| Participation |
| style="height:100px;"| 100px
| File:Parents, enfants, famille.png | 100px | 90px |
| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 36
| style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 70 | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 44 | style="text-align:center; background:black; color:white;"| 16 |
| colspan="4"; style="background:black; color:white;"| Province Nakhon Nayok, with an HAI 2022 value of 0.6509 is "somewhat high", occupies place 25 in the ranking. |
Since 2003, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Thailand has tracked progress on human development at sub-national level using the Human achievement index (HAI), a composite index covering all the eight key areas of human development. National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has taken over this task since 2017.
| class="wikitable" ---valign=top | Rank | Classification |
| | 1–13 | "High" | |
| |14–29 | "Somewhat high" | |
| |30–45 | "Average" | |
| |46–61 | "Somewhat low" | |
| |62–77 | "Low" |
| role= "presentation" class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|Map with provinces and HAI 2022 rankings |
| 950px |
{{clear}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Wikivoyage-inline|Nakhon Nayok}}
- {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20031009155819/http://www.nayokcity.com/ News and Information in Nakhon Nayok (thai)]}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150810120952/http://www.tourismthailand.org/Where-to-Go/Nakhon-Nayok Nakhon Nayok, Tourist Authority of Thailand]
- [http://www.nakhonnayok.go.th Website of province] (Thai)
- [http://dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/style1/default.asp?npid=9&lg=2 Khao Yai National Park]
{{Geographic location
|Centre = Nakhon Nayok province
|North =
|Northeast = Nakhon Ratchasima province
|East = Prachinburi province
|Southeast =
|South = Chachoengsao province
|Southwest =
|West = Pathum Thani province
|Northwest = Saraburi province
}}
{{coord|14|12|44|N|101|12|06|E|type:adm1st_region:TH|display=title}}
{{Provinces of Thailand}}
{{Authority control}}