Rating: 4/5 (6 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: 06.00 – 18.00

 

Royal Development Study Center Demonstration Farm Project (Nong Ngu Hao) in Nakhon Luang District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, is an educational travel destination that delivers a full “relaxation with purpose” experience in a single trip. It is especially suitable for families, people who enjoy walking or outdoor running, and visitors interested in community development inspired by royal initiatives. The landscape feels open and breathable, with greenery and water features that naturally slow your pace and help you unwind. At the same time, it functions as a learning space for a wide range of vocational skills within the context of integrated farming and real-world resource management. This is what makes a visit to a “demonstration farm” more than a photo stop—it is a chance to see the behind-the-scenes system of structured self-reliance in action.

 

Ayutthaya is widely recognized through the lens of ancient ruins, temples, and historical narratives, yet the province also reflects strong agricultural roots and resilient local communities. The Nong Ngu Hao demonstration farm project therefore serves as a “window” into another layer of Ayutthaya—one that involves water management, livelihoods, vocational training, and turning knowledge into real income. From an educational tourism perspective, places like this complete the travel picture because they allow visitors to experience both the past of the old capital and the present lives of people who work with land and water.

 

The core idea of a “royal-initiative demonstration farm” is to shape a single area into a practical platform that can be a place of employment, a training ground, and a source of food production at the same time. This concept is grounded in helping people “regain stability” after crises—whether flooding, economic disruption, or periods of uncertain employment. For the Nong Ngu Hao demonstration farm, its origins are closely tied to disaster-related hardship affecting residents of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya toward the end of 2010. This led to an approach focused on creating sustained jobs, work opportunities, and ongoing income, using public land in Bang Rakam Subdistrict, Nakhon Luang District, as the project site. Overall, the location supports both community access and long-term area management.

 

When discussing the “history of the site” in the context of the Nong Ngu Hao demonstration farm, it is important to understand that this was not created primarily as a tourist attraction. Instead, it was developed with social and vocational objectives, functioning as a hub for agricultural activities and multi-skill training. This includes crops, livestock, fisheries, mushrooms, product processing, and initiatives designed to improve the efficiency of land management so the area can support learning and real work. As you enter the site, you will notice that the “beauty of the landscape” is not simply the result of park-style decoration. It comes from planning the land according to purpose: water zones that support ecosystems and water management, open areas for cultivation or group activities, zones suitable for walking, running, or cycling, and spaces that invite hands-on learning with nature.

 

In terms of “site characteristics,” the first defining feature is the wide, open landscape with long sightlines, creating an overall calm atmosphere without a sense of crowding. It is ideal for relaxation in the early morning or late afternoon, especially for those who want to exercise without urban noise. In an environment like this, simple activities such as walking happen naturally without needing much “intention.” Children can run freely, adults can stroll and talk, and seniors can move gently for stretching and mobility in a low-pressure setting. The second key feature is that it is a “learning space for multiple vocational skills across various fields,” which is the main value that distinguishes it from a typical public park. Beyond paths and scenic views, the area includes real working contexts—training, practice, and knowledge that can be developed into livelihoods.

 

Learning at the demonstration farm can be viewed in three overlapping layers. The first is learning from the “real site,” where visitors can observe elements of agricultural land and resources such as water sources, planting zones, points related to livestock or fisheries, and the infrastructure that enables various activities. The second is learning from the “process,” including ways of thinking about resource sufficiency, how community roles and work are divided, and how systems are designed to operate continuously without excessive reliance on outside inputs. The third is learning from “skills,” which many visitors find most rewarding because these can be applied in daily life—simple vegetable growing, soil care, water-saving management, product processing, basic animal care, and practical approaches to starting a side income step-by-step within household capacity.

 

For family visits, one of the strongest values is that children can clearly see the connection between “food on the plate” and “food production,” a lesson that is often difficult to find in city life. Many children are familiar with food from convenience stores or restaurants but have little exposure to how food is produced from the beginning. Walking through an area with agricultural and resource-based elements helps children understand that food requires time, patience, and cooperation between people and nature. Adults, meanwhile, can reflect on resource use and recognize that “sufficiency” does not mean deprivation. It means building balance suitable to one’s own context, planning wisely, and reducing risk so life can move forward with stability.

 

For visitors who come primarily to exercise, a place like this feels different from running in crowded parks because the surroundings are sky, wind, and open space. Walking or running in an open area often makes breathing feel more natural. Some people walk to reset their thoughts, some run seriously for fitness, and others bring children or seniors for gentle movement without needing special equipment. A practical tip is to choose suitable times—early morning or late afternoon—and bring enough drinking water, as open landscapes can be sunny and windy depending on the season.

 

When it comes to the “visual beauty” of this place, the appeal of Nong Ngu Hao is usually simple rather than flashy—a wide, calm kind of beauty. On clear days, you will see a big sky contrasted with green land and water, which makes photos look airy and soothing. It suits nature-style photos, family moments, lifestyle shots of exercise, and scenes of local life. The openness of the environment also creates a sense of “space,” both physically and mentally, often making visitors slow down naturally.

 

In terms of getting there, the project is located in Nakhon Luang District, on a side of Ayutthaya that connects conveniently from Asia Road. If you drive from Bangkok via Asia Road toward Nakhon Luang District, you will cross Nakhon Luang Bridge and continue straight on the main route. As you get closer, you will see the project signage on the right-hand side of the road on the way to Saharat Industrial Estate. This route works well for a day trip and can also be combined with nearby attractions in Nakhon Luang District or Ayutthaya city, allowing flexible “multiple-stop in one day” itineraries.

 

Getting There From Asia Road, head toward Nakhon Luang District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. Cross Nakhon Luang Bridge and continue straight. You will see the project sign on the right-hand side of the road on the way to Saharat Industrial Estate.

 

To make the trip more complete, it helps to decide your main purpose in advance—whether you want to “relax,” “exercise,” or “learn,” because each goal affects how you use your time. If you come for light relaxation, a walk for the atmosphere, photos, and short breaks at comfortable spots can refresh you quickly. If you come to exercise, allow enough time for warm-up and cool-down and avoid peak heat. For learning-oriented visits, observe the site’s elements and ask simple questions such as how water sources function, how planting areas relate to water-saving management, or how vocational activities can translate into community income. Questioning naturally deepens the experience and helps you return home with practical ideas.

 

Beyond the site itself, choosing nearby restaurants and accommodation in the Nakhon Luang area can make the trip more comfortable. Nakhon Luang offers local restaurants and cafés that work well as stops along the way, as well as several accommodation options for those who want to stay overnight and continue exploring Ayutthaya at a relaxed pace. An overnight stay also gives you more time for Ayutthaya’s major temples and historical sites the next day, without the pressure of a long return drive in a single day.

 

Overall, the Royal-Initiative Demonstration Farm Project (Nong Ngu Hao) is ideal for travelers seeking “easy-on-the-eyes calm” alongside “meaning” in their journey. It does not try to compete through spectacle, but stands out through the value of its landscape and its real social role within the community. If you are looking for an Ayutthaya destination that works for children, keeps adults engaged, and offers inspiration that can be applied to real life, this place is a strong, practical choice.

 

 

A: It is best suited for families who want a learning-focused trip, people who enjoy walking or exercising in open spaces, and visitors interested in self-reliance and resource-management concepts inspired by royal initiatives.

 

A: Generally, allow about 1–2 hours for a walk, atmosphere, and short breaks. If you plan to join activities or do more serious exercise, consider 2–3 hours.

 

A: Yes. Parents should supervise closely in open areas and near water, and it is recommended to prepare hats and drinking water depending on the weather.

 

A: The key difference is that this is a real community-use learning space focused on resource-management systems and self-reliance, rather than primarily on architecture, ruins, or antiques.

 

A: You can contact the Tourism Authority of Thailand (Ayutthaya Office) or the Nakhon Luang District Office using the phone numbers listed in the summary table.