Nong Yai Park

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8mbeLsKo8zmJ1v5S7

Nong Yai Park is 8Km north of Chumphon town. Take road No. 1107 out of town and the entrance to the park is on the right 2km after the large white Government buildings.

The park came about following the devastation caused by Typhoon Gay back in November 1989. 529 people were killed, 160,000 became homeless, with 7,130 km2 of farm land destroyed.

Under Royal Initiative a system of flood control measures were implemented. The story of the Kings visit is depicted on a series of stones found on a mound in the centre of the park.

The main flood management system is a diversion canal running from the Tha Taphap river in the west of the park to the Phanang Tak river in the east, which is near the sea. In times of heavy rain, water can be diverted through the canal preventing/reducing any flooding in the area around Chumphon town.

Good roads boarder the canal and being flat are popular with cyclists.

Either side of the canal can be found large storm water management ponds (retention basins).

On the pond to the north of the canal can be found the Nong Yai Wooden Bridge. The entrance to the bridge is just north of the mound mentioned above.

The lake seems well stocked with fish considering the amount of fishermen we saw. It is possible to buy fish food at the entrance to the bridge.

The footbridge takes you across the lake to an island.

Not a lot on the island. You can buy rice to feed the chickens here but we did not find many on the island (Jan 2020). The island is covered in trees providing nice shade from the sun and a small concreted path leads you all the way around.

At the western end of the pond is another bridge. This has been installed to allow visitors to see Javan rusa deer.

At the end of the bridge there is a viewing platform. Here there are information boards (in Thai only).

You can buy bananas to feed the deer.

On our last visit to the pond to the south of the canal we found it very silty. Possibly just after dredging operations.

You can walk all the way round this lake on a made path, or use the cycle path at its side. Two observation platforms allow you to get a good view of the area. Depending on which day you go there are places to eat and rent boats.

In the center of the lake to the south of the canal is this large monkey.

After heavy rains in November 2018 most of the park was under water with only the top of the Nong Yai Wooden Bridge showing. Did not hear of any major flooding in the Chumphon town area so guess the measures worked.

The Park is often the venue for Fairs and Events.