Nong Yai Royal Development Project

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 08.00 - 16.30

 

Nong Yai Royal Development Project, widely known as Kaem Ling Nong Yai, is one of Chumphon’s most important royal-initiated water management and learning sites. Located in Bang Luek Subdistrict, Mueang Chumphon District, the project covers about 3,000 rai and functions as a natural flood-retention area, reservoir, ecological wetland, birdwatching site, and Sufficiency Economy learning center. The area features a large reservoir, shaded trees around the water, wetland habitats, nature trails, Saphan Mai Khiam wooden bridge, birdwatching areas, agricultural learning plots, and Ko Lek 9, making it a meaningful destination for travelers who want to understand Chumphon beyond beaches and islands.

 

Nong Yai Royal Development Project should be understood as more than a public park or photo spot. It is a practical water-management solution created to address Chumphon’s repeated flooding problems. Chumphon receives water from upper catchment areas through streams and canals before the water moves toward the sea. During heavy rain or flood periods, large volumes of water can quickly reach urban areas. Nong Yai was developed to act as a natural “monkey cheek,” storing excess water temporarily and gradually releasing it through the Hua Wang-Phanang Tak drainage canal system toward the sea.

 

The “monkey cheek” concept is easy to understand but powerful. It compares water retention to a monkey holding food in its cheek before slowly swallowing it. In Chumphon, Nong Yai receives floodwater, holds it, and then releases it in a controlled manner. This helps reduce the immediate burden on the city’s drainage system, protects nearby communities and farmland, and also allows water to be stored for use during the dry season.

 

The royal initiative behind Nong Yai focused on integrated flood management. It involved improving water-control structures, establishing water-level monitoring and warning systems, linking relevant canals, draining excess water through Hua Wang-Phanang Tak, and installing pumps at key water-control gates. The project therefore represents a complete water-management system, connecting upstream conditions, retention areas, drainage routes, and downstream discharge to the sea.

 

The Hua Wang-Phanang Tak drainage canal is central to the story of Nong Yai. During the period when Typhoon Linda was approaching, canal excavation work was accelerated so that the drainage route could be completed in time. This helped improve Chumphon’s ability to move excess water out of the flood-prone area. For local people, this story is part of the project’s meaning because it shows how royal initiative, engineering work, and community cooperation came together to reduce flood risk.

 

The project covers about 3,000 rai and includes a large reservoir, wetland edges, perennial trees, natural areas, agricultural learning spaces, and facilities for public education. The overall atmosphere is quiet, open, and green. The broad water surface, shade trees, and wetland vegetation make the site suitable for walking, relaxing, photography, studying water management, and observing wetland ecology.

 

Ecologically, Nong Yai is valuable as a wetland habitat in Mueang Chumphon District. The reservoir edge supports aquatic plants, waterside vegetation, open wetland zones, and bird habitat. Visitors interested in birdwatching can use the area to observe how water, plants, and birds interact in a wetland ecosystem. Morning and late afternoon are the best times for bird observation because the light is softer, the weather is cooler, and birds are more active.

 

One of the most popular highlights is Saphan Mai Khiam, the wooden bridge that crosses the water within the project area. It gives visitors a clear view of the reservoir, the surrounding trees, and the calm landscape. Khiam is a durable hardwood associated with southern Thailand, making the bridge visually and culturally suitable for the setting. Visitors should walk carefully, avoid running, and share the bridge respectfully with families, elderly visitors, and other travelers.

 

The project can be understood through several functional zones. The first is the natural forest and wetland area, which supports birds and other wildlife. The second is the agricultural learning area, where visitors can see examples of Sufficiency Economy practice such as vegetables, herbs, rice plots, animal raising, and community-based livelihood activities. The third is Ko Lek 9 and the learning center area, which serve as important educational points. Together, these zones show that Nong Yai is not only a tourist destination but also a public learning space for water, agriculture, ecology, and community resilience.

 

For families, Nong Yai is a useful place to teach children about water management and nature. Children can see how a reservoir stores water, why drainage canals matter, how wetlands support birds, and why trees around the water are important. Seeing these elements in real life makes environmental learning more concrete than reading about it in a classroom.

 

For visitors interested in the Sufficiency Economy philosophy, Nong Yai provides practical examples of how land, water, agriculture, and community knowledge can be combined. The project functions as a learning site for schools, universities, farmer groups, public agencies, and visitors who want to understand how royal development concepts can be applied to real local conditions.

 

Getting There from Chumphon town is straightforward by private car, rental car, or local hired transport. Follow the Chumphon-Ao Thung Wua Laen route. When reaching the Chumphon Irrigation area, turn right and continue along the Hua Wang-Phanang Tak canal road toward the project office. Another practical route is to travel via the Chumphon Government Complex and Chumphon National Museum, then continue into Bang Luek Subdistrict.

 

Nong Yai is close enough to Chumphon town for a half-day visit. In the morning, visitors can walk around the reservoir, visit the wooden bridge, observe birds, and explore the learning areas. After that, nearby attractions such as Chumphon National Museum, Wat Sam Kaew, Wat Na Thung, and the Youth Soldier Monument can be added to the same route. In the late afternoon, visitors can continue toward Thung Wua Laen Beach or Khao Matsee Viewpoint if they want to combine inland ecology with coastal scenery.

 

The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon. The weather is cooler, the light is better for photography, and the wetland atmosphere is more comfortable. Midday visits are still possible, but visitors should bring drinking water, a hat, and comfortable walking shoes. Birdwatchers should keep quiet, maintain distance from birds, avoid throwing food, and avoid disturbing waterside areas.

 

Groups that want a formal study visit with a speaker should contact the project in advance. Guided lectures are useful for schools, government agencies, farmer groups, and organizations that want to understand the water-management system and Sufficiency Economy learning areas in a structured way. Preparing questions in advance will make the visit more useful, especially on topics such as flood retention, canal systems, community agriculture, and environmental education.

 

Visitors should keep the project clean, avoid throwing waste into the water, avoid collecting plants or disturbing animals, avoid feeding wildlife in unauthorized areas, and drive slowly within the project area. Nong Yai is a learning center and ecological space, not an amusement area. Respectful travel helps protect the wetland, the reservoir, and the public learning value of the project.

 

The strength of Nong Yai is that every part of the landscape has a purpose. The reservoir supports water retention. Trees create shade and stabilize the environment. The wetland supports birds and biodiversity. Agricultural plots demonstrate livelihood learning. Walking routes allow the public to access knowledge in the middle of nature. A visit here is therefore not only about taking photos of the bridge or water, but about understanding how good water management can protect a city, support communities, and preserve nature at the same time.

 

Overall, Nong Yai Royal Development Project is one of the best places to understand Chumphon beyond beaches, islands, and seafood. It shows how a flood-prone area can become a living landscape for water management, environmental education, agriculture, and public recreation. For travelers who want deeper insight into the province, Nong Yai is a highly meaningful stop in Mueang Chumphon.

 

 

A: It is located in Bang Luek Subdistrict, Mueang Chumphon District, Chumphon Province.

 

A: It is a royal-initiated monkey-cheek water-retention project that helps reduce flooding in Chumphon while serving as a learning center for water management, agriculture, and wetland ecology.

 

A: The project is open daily from 08.00 to 16.30.

 

A: Highlights include the large reservoir, Saphan Mai Khiam wooden bridge, wetland area, birdwatching spots, nature walking route, agricultural learning plots, and Ko Lek 9.

 

A: From Chumphon town, take the Chumphon-Ao Thung Wua Laen route, turn right near the Chumphon Irrigation area, and follow the Hua Wang-Phanang Tak canal road to the project. Another route passes the Chumphon Government Complex and Chumphon National Museum.

 

A: Yes. The reservoir edge and wetland areas support various birds, especially in the morning and late afternoon.

 

A: Yes. Groups can arrange a lecturer in advance. The guided lecture fee is 2,000 baht per group.

 

A: Nearby places include Chumphon National Museum, Wat Sam Kaew, Wat Na Thung, Youth Soldier Monument, Thung Wua Laen Beach, and Khao Matsee Viewpoint.