NAKHON NAYOK - 2 Days 1 Nigh

"Someone says the sound of rain can help calm the mind. Often described as a form of pink noise, rainfall creates a balanced, soothing frequency that may encourage the release of neurotransmitters associated with relaxation and well-being. The rainy season is here-the perfect time to slow down, reconnect with nature, and find happiness in every journey."

And this is the reason we are going to Nakhon Nayok in August. Because it is rainy season. We want to listen to the rain and enjoy fun activities!

The rainy season this year 2026 quite good. There is more rain than 2025（I feel）. And some of colleague in office said about white water rafting.  Then I share idea about Nakhon Nayok province which is one of the famous destinations for rafting in Thailand. Then we start creating program and find resort. 

Since we want to stay close to the creek. Then we chose Rim Tarn Resort. And the travel period was fixed at 22-23 August 2026. The reason we chose weekend because all member for this trip is my colleague then we have same available time. 

We booked 1 house for 4 persons, and another 2 small houses for 2 persons per house. We finally have 7 persons for this trip (Arty, Nicha, Deer, Ple, R, Ton-nam and me). Besides of white-water rafting, we added some more fun activities.

22nd August 2026

Since I had business mission on 21st August, so I stayed at The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon I planned to let driver pick up me there at 07.30am. Ple lives in Rama II area which on the difference direction with the trip came to get in the van at my hotel. Then we picked the rest 5 persons on the way. 

The room at The Standard Hotel is so good, bed, blanket, pillows. It is a good place to flop down and wake up afternoon next day. 

Unfortunately, I have to check out early morning.

07.30am, Ple arrived my hotel as well as the minivan which we rent for this trip. We use the road Rangsit-Nakhonnayok road. And on the way we stopped by to visit our freiend Af and her family. We were friends for years and it was good to meet again.

After quick chat, we continue to find restaurant for breakfast. And Af recommended a local restaurant with Thai Southern food.

The restaurant is big and easy to find from the main road. You may call them first if you are not sure how to find them.

We order around 10 menus to share.

We finished all food. All dishes are delicious. And we paid around 6 hundred Baht for all food, very cheap.

Left the restaurant and heading to Nakhonnayok province. Staff from resort called to reconfirm our arrival time as we had booked ATV, white water rafting with them at 11.00am. But on the way, I noticed there is Khao Lam （grilled sticky rice in bamboo tree） which is one of my most favorite snack. Then we stopped and I bought some of them to share to all.

They grilled them this morning then the taste is so fresh and delicious.

After breakfast, some friends need coffee then we stop at a nice coffee name. Baan Chang. I order Thai milk tea and I like it. Some order coffee and milk and all say the same that taste is good and prices are reasonable. 

This road is on good condition and easy to drive. And finally, we arrived to resort.

We changed cloths and they send local truck to pick up us from resort to the station to start activities.

The truck took around 15 minutes.

From the check in station, we changed to another local truck to the start point ATV

This truck without roof and everyone have to stand.

Around 15 minutes passed the local village, pomelo plantation then we reached to the station.

We arrived at station and then started with 3 ATV cars with driver and non-driver. R & Tonnam, Ple & Deer, Arty and I, Tan has staff drive for her.

We booked ticket for 30 minutes, and the track is good and not too adventure.

It was raining last night so all area more adventure. And it was good weather, some shower rain made the temperature not too high.

30 minutes was so fast （because it was so fun activity). We clean up and ready to rafting.

 To go rafting, we were on the truck again go back to the station to get life jacket and helmet. Deer feels not well so she waited for us at the last station.

After got life jacket and helmet. We got on the truck again and then take 15 minutes to the pier

Everyone ready

There was heavy rain when we start rafting. And it made more fun.

We took around 40 minutes rafting

There were lots of enjoy same activities. This is the most popular activity in Nakhonnayok during rainy season.

After that, we got on the truck again and they sent us directly to resort for check in. But we booked for room in another zone. Then we decided to have lunch at their main lobby before go to our room. The name of restaurant is Krua Rim Tarn, same name with resort Rim Tarn resort.

I'm not sure, because we were hungry or the food are delicious. 

But their food actually really delicious

After lunch, we get into the van and then transfer to our room which is 4kms. away from the main area.

Our room is next to the creek

There are lots of people still enjoy rafting. We arrived at resort around 3pm so we checked in and get in to room for shower and relax. 

6.00pm, our food was ready. We order Moo Kra Ta to share and order some a la carte dishes

This menu recommended by Tan to eat Moo Kra ta with seaweed, delicious.

After dinner, we spent some time together for funny game before say good night.

23rd August 2026

Since resort normally do not provide breakfast and we prefer to have breakfast at local restaurant. 

We checked out at 08.30am and looking for restaurant for breakfast.

We found this restaurant.

Besides of restaurant, there are local market nearby. Then I got some more local food.

We finished all breakfast. All food is so delicious. And then we continue to go up to viewpoint on the dam

And rent the self-drive Golf cart.

We rent for 30 minutes

This is my first time driving Golf cart. But it is not that difficult.

And we got a nice shot with very good view

It was shower raining so the weather was so good and the view also beautiful. Even it was not a brighten day

But the feeling from the photos can tell how nice moment we had

We arrived back to the starting point to return the car and left to the temple

I came to this temple around 20 years ago. There are some changes with new sculptures and decoration. But still look beautiful. From this temple can see the dam as well

Before we left the temple, some local people suggested us to worship to the joss house to get some blessing and may be bring good luck. 

After that, we left the temple

There is a nice cafe that I added to this trip. The name is Cafe Laura Nakhonnayok

A nice place with Classic European architecture

We order drinks and some pieces of bakery. And while waiting for our order, we walked around to get nice shots

Finally, our drinks and cake are ready

Their toast taste very good, fresh fruit is really fresh

And gone so fast, then we left the cafe

After left cafe, Arty had idea to visit the place call Wang Bon

It is the beautiful lake

The lake is so beautiful and there are some people doing kayak to the small wate-fall

Unfortunately, we do not have time to do it today as we have to return to Bangkok. Then we left the lake and put this place for our next trip.

Since the new express way to Bangkok just open to trial use. This express way is very good, and it can help us save around 1 hour drive to Bangkok. 

But to get on the express way we have to drive through Khao Yai National park as we are on a difference side.

Then we did it and stopped by for coffee and get some nice shots at viewpoint

And on the way, we saw some monkey (actually we hope to see elephant but we know that it was not the right time)

Get out from the National Park and there will be another 40 minutes to get on the express way. And will take around 2.5hours to reach to Bangkok. Then we decided to have lunch in that area.

And this is the restaurant that we chose 

And this is what we ordered. Avocado in spicy salad

Laos style papaya salad

This menu is what I always order when I came to this restaurant

And this deep-fried sweet corn was recommended by Ple

Another papaya salad ordered by Arty （and we ordered this menu twice）

This noodle is signature of this restaurant and also signature of this province as well. We call "Phad Mhee Korat"

After main courses then dessert

We finished all food and ordered some take away for our family

We left the restaurant and heading to the express way

On the way with nice view

And finally, we reach to the main road to Bangkok

It was only 2 days 1 night trip. But there were so many things we had done together. There were so many funny memories which will stay forever. And we found that sometimes just travel with "plan is no plan" and you can get unexpected experiences. This is a quote from one of my idols Mr.Ray McDonald who is one of the famous Thai travel influencers with his own style travelling said "Don't wait for everything to be perfect. Perfection doesn't exist in this world." Just try to do it when you can do. 

RIP: Ray McDonald 1977-2026

the man who inspired me to embark on a journey🤍🩶🖤