Wang Takrai, Nakhon Nayok
A Shady Stream Park for Shallow Swimming and Family Camping

✍️ By Doctor Chat

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

If you want to escape the heat without a long drive, Wang Takrai is the answer Bangkok folks have turned to for years. It sits in Sarika sub-district, Mueang Nakhon Nayok, just over two hours' drive from Bangkok. This isn't a thundering waterfall crashing down a cliff — it's a clear stream drifting gently over rocks beneath big shade trees, shallow enough for kids to wade in all day. That's exactly why so many families pick this place over the more powerful falls.

Wang Takrai is a private forest park, developed by M.C. Bhisadej Rajani decades ago, so ornamental flowers and plants are scattered across the whole area. The vibe lands somewhere between a botanical garden and a swimming spot. The water comes from Mae Plong Waterfall and Heo Krathin Waterfall, two streams that meet inside the park, which is why there's water to play in almost all year round.

What swimming at Wang Takrai is like

The heart of Wang Takrai is the shallow stream that stretches across several stretches. The water is clear enough to see the sandy bottom, only knee- to waist-deep in the main swimming spots, so small kids can wade in with an adult close by, while the grown-ups sit and soak their feet on the cool rocks all day. A few stretches run a little deeper for anyone who wants to drift along on a tube.

• Tube rental — available all along the stream, around 40 THB per tube, in several sizes for both kids and adults.
• Mat / seating rental — mats laid out by the water rent for about 30 THB, holding your spot for the whole day.
• Showers and toilets — spread across several points in the park, so you can rinse off and change after swimming.
• Riverside food stalls — there are made-to-order food stalls and drinks on site; order and eat right by the stream.

Camping and riverside cabins

You can stay overnight at Wang Takrai either in a tent or a cabin. The camping ground sits right by the stream, so you wake up and walk just a few steps down to the water. It suits families who want their kids to sleep out in nature without it being too rough, since the toilets and food stalls are close by. If you'd rather not haul gear, there are cabins in several sizes to choose from, from small ones for couples to larger ones that sleep the whole family.

Beyond swimming, what else is there to do

Because it started life as a plant garden, Wang Takrai has more places to stroll than your average waterfall. You can wander among the ornamental flowers, take photos under the big trees, or bike around the grounds. There's a mini zoo for the kids to see animals, and a café to sit and sip coffee. The whole place stays shady and cool even when the sun is blazing.

• Stroll the flower garden — ornamental flowers and plants are planted throughout, with naturally pretty photo spots.
• Mini zoo — lets the kids see animals up close during a break from swimming.
• Café in the garden — sit and sip coffee among the trees, a good rest stop for adults who'd rather not get in the water.
• Streamside picnic — bring a mat and some food and settle in under the shade trees for the whole day.

Entry fees, opening hours and getting there

The entry fee is charged per vehicle, not per head like the state-run waterfalls. It's about 150 THB per car (up to 8 passengers; beyond that there's an extra 10 THB per person). It's open daily, roughly 08:00–18:00. Getting there is easy: if you drive yourself from Bangkok, take the Rangsit–Ongkharak–Nakhon Nayok route, then turn off toward Sarika. The signs are clear and a regular sedan can reach it without trouble.

• Entry fee — about 150 THB per car (up to 8 people); over that, an extra 10 THB per person.
• Opening hours — daily, roughly 08:00–18:00.
• From Bangkok — drive ~2 hrs via Ongkharak into Mueang Nakhon Nayok, then on toward Sarika.
• Car rental / taxi — without your own car, you can arrange a charter ride from Nakhon Nayok town, since little public transport reaches the spot directly.

A laid-back 2-day, 1-night family trip

If you want to make the overnight worth it, here's an easy plan where the kids have fun and the adults don't wear out — swimming in the morning and evening, plenty of rest in between.

The honest truth before you go

Straight up: Wang Takrai isn't the place for anyone after a big, dramatic waterfall. It's a shallow stream that stands out for its shade and suits kids more than thrills. If you love jumping into deep water or powerful falls, Sarika or Nang Rong Waterfall will suit you better.

• Charged per car — the more of you there are, the better the value; going solo feels a bit pricey.
• Genuinely crowded on holidays — festival periods are packed and noisy; for quiet, go on a weekday.
• Low water in the dry season — in March–April some spots leave only enough for soaking your feet, so check water conditions before you go.
• Food inside the park costs more than outside — on a tight budget, you can bring your own water and snacks.